Being a mother is hard work. Women constantly put the needs of others before their own and are overloaded with career commitments, children’s schedules and activities, and cramming as much as possible into one day. Keeping up with today’s demands leaves many mentally drained and inattentive to their needs, wants, and desires. Just because you became a parent doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice time to mentally better yourself or make the same commitment to your own mental and physical health...just as you commit to taking care of your family.
Physically, there must be a priority on health in order to serve our families, and the physical benefits of yoga are plenty. From increased flexibility and strength to alignment of your spine and a decrease in degenerative processes in the body, yoga is an excellent choice for parents who are looking to incorporate an exercise program into the daily demands of life. Students of any fitness level can participate, as classes can be tailored from a slower beginning class to more advanced practices that progress more rapidly, incorporate advanced movements and transitions, and are considered a full-body workout. Yoga is highly recommended for those who may present health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes or past injury and can be adapted to the individual based on their needs, bodily concerns, and overall health goals. The best part, especially for busy parents is that a full hour of yoga is not necessary to experience the benefits, and yoga can be done almost anywhere. A few rounds of Sun Salutation A or even a 20-minute practice has shown to decrease fatigue while increasing muscular length, range of motion in the joints, and circulation of the blood.
Reaching beyond the physical, yoga is especially beneficial as it also offers mental benefits to those who suffer from chaotic schedules and who rarely take time for self-care. When the mind is instructed to consciously focus on moving mindfully and is encouraged to link each individual breath to a certain shape, students subconsciously unite and deepen the connection between the brain and the body. Racing thoughts fade into the background, mental tension can be removed, and a greater sense of concentration and clarity emerge.
Becoming a parent teaches us to take care of those we love. Becoming a student of yoga teaches us that by taking care of ourselves, we are better equipped to handle the demands of parenthood as we provide care to those we love.
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Stop in at any of the CorePower North Denver studios for your free week of yoga. Be sure to tell them Macaroni Kid sent you!
Visit CorePowerYoga.com for schedules and more information.
