Yoga is a way of living that aims towards ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. Weight loss, a strong and flexible body, glowing beautiful skin, peaceful mind, good health – whatever you may be looking for, yoga has it on offer.
Women are givers, but giving themselves priority doesn’t always happen. Taking some time for yourself should be a priority.
Benefits of Yoga for mothers –
- Rebuild flexibility and muscle tone: Help your body handle the new demands of caring for your baby. Developing strength in abdominal and back muscles reduces postpartum back pain
- Maintain spinal integrity: Relaxin looses joints everywhere in the body, not just the pelvis. Some researchers believe these ligaments may stay loose and are prone to overstretching up to eight months following giving birth
- Tone and stretch your upper body: Toning your arms can stave off soreness that comes from constantly picking up your child.
- Stretch those achy shoulders and back: Breastfeeding can cause the spine and shoulders to become rounded and sore.
- Routine exercise may prevent postpartum depression
- Cultivate patience: A newborn requires an intensive amount of energy. Stay with one breath at a time, one pose at a time. Cultivating connection on the mat can help new moms be connected through the long hours and days and months of a new baby’s life.
The postpartum period lasts up to two years, so practicing yoga is a great way to get your strength back, take time for yourself, and even prepare for the next baby. You deserve this time for yourself!
Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. Yoga at an early age, sculpts young minds and bodies, giving tools that will enhance and support children to be balanced, creative, and calm individuals with a strong sense of who they are in relation to the world.
Some benefits of yoga for kids –
- It encourages self esteem, concentration and body awareness and the ability to steer your way smoothly through life’s challenges.
- Physically, yoga enhances coordination, it has a powerful effect on brain development, and brings heightened focus.
- Enhances concentration which will help in their studies
- Yoga is an amazing tool for life that teaches them somatic ways to release stress and bring their body back into equilibrium.
- Cultivates a peaceful, relaxed state of body and mind
Happy International Yoga Day !!
Image: LimitlessWalls.com