Calling New Moms! 5 Simple Tips to Start a Yoga Practice

Becoming a new mom is a beautiful thing. You brought new life into the world that’s your responsibility to nurture, protect, and raise. Mothers have always been figures of selfless love.
 
Yet when you’re raising your little ones, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself! Self-care and self-love come in many forms – from eating healthy, to exercising and taking time for you.
 
Yoga can be a huge help in getting – and staying – on track to be your healthiest, happiest self (which in turn will make you the best momma, too!). Don’t worry if you didn’t practice yoga pre-kiddos. Starting a yoga practice is easy and like mothering, it will be one of the most rewarding things you do.
 

New to yoga? Here are 5 tips for new moms on how to begin a yoga practice:

When you’re just starting your yoga journey, consider the following tips to help you along the way. Don’t overthink it! Starting a yoga practice is easier than you may think, and more rewarding than you could ever imagine.
 

1. Be Kind to Yourself

The physical effects of having a child last for years, and maybe even the rest of your life. After giving birth, there is this feeling of having to “get your body back” – and also carry on as if nothing has changed.
 
There is plenty of time for you to build up your yoga practice and return to your body. Don’t feel pressured to see results or reach a certain goal by a certain time. Remember to practice grace, kindness, and compassion towards yourself. If you feel good, you look good. Love yourself, know that you’re doing good things for your mind and body with yoga, and leave it at that.
 
 

2. Work Within Your Limits

Yoga teaches us to be in the moment and to honor where we are right now. If you are used to a challenging physical fitness regimen pre-baby, this might be frustrating at first. And you might feel like you are going backwards – but sometimes in order to move forward, you first have to slow down.
 
Do you feel like you need to slow down and restore balance in your body? Try this Yin Yoga Bundle with Kassandra Reinhardt.
 

3. Join a Yoga Studio

Many yoga studios now offer postnatal yoga or even mom and baby yoga classes. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other mothers, bond with your baby, and find community support. Joining a yoga studio also helps keep you motivated and establish a routine for your blossoming yoga practice.
 
 

4. Give Yourself Time

There are mixed opinions on how long you should wait before practicing yoga after giving birth. Truly, it depends on how you feel, and whether you had any form of fitness regimen pre-pregnancy. Give yourself time to recover and always listen to your body.
If you are breastfeeding, then your body will continue to secrete hormones that make your ligaments longer and more flexible. For this reason, it’s best to avoid any deep open stretches to prevent potential damage to your ligaments. Please seek the guidance of a healthcare professional if you’re not sure whether your body is ready for yoga.
 
 

5. Don’t Play the Comparison Game

Your body is different, your wardrobe now consists of whatever is convenient, and you’ve probably not had any time to dedicate to yourself . . . but remember that this will eventually pass and you will go back to some semblance of normality.
 
Comparing your new life to what it used to be like pre-baby can be very tempting, but don’t forget how far you have come. Comparing yourself to other moms who seem to have it all figured out is fruitless (and they probably feel the same way you do anyway). Yoga teaches us to meet ourselves exactly where we are. Be patient with yourself and show yourself kindness and love. After all, you deserve it momma!
 

Make Yoga a Part of Your Motherhood

Yoga has no ‘right and wrong.’ Go slow, begin with what you have, and take it day by day. Yoga is never a competition (with yourself or anyone else), and you can always take what you need from it, whether that’s relaxation, exercise, or stress-relief.
 
Above all else, remember that you are not alone and that you have an entire community of yoga mommas out there who you can reach out to and lean on for support.
 
 

Try This Class to Restore Your Pelvic Floor

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