Sharing Your Practice with Family
Does the idea of practicing yoga with your family sound like a dream come true? Or more like a nightmare? The good news is an at-home family yoga practice is achievable. Many of us are spending more and more time at home with our families. Parents who are used to having yoga practice are wondering how they can get their practice in when needing to watch the children. Luckily, creating fun ways to make yoga a regular occurrence in your household is great for everyone’s mind, body, and soul.
Yoga is about connection. Connecting with ourselves and with each other. Using family time as an opportunity to connect through yoga is not only a fun way to be together, but it also supports good health. Family yoga is a great way to find a deeper connection with your children. The most important thing when having children is not necessarily finding the space for your own practice, but instead using this time as an opportunity to make it exercise fun for your children by allowing them to use their imagination and free from worries. See the world through the eyes of a child. Rolling out your yoga mat and inviting your children to see your yoga practice is a wonderful way to model healthy behavior while engaging your children.
Getting Everyone Involved in the Family Yoga Practice
Yoga is more than just poses. There is breathwork, meditation, and the chance to teach good moral behaviors such as telling the truth, acceptance, and mindfulness. Adding yoga into your regular routine can eliminate stress without having to plan designated time to practice. Doing relaxing and calming poses before your children’s bedtime allows stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system and can improve sleep patterns. Let everyone participate in creating the practice. Offer some time for the whole family to do their own yoga poses rather than trying to make everyone do the same thing. Maybe you want to do meditation, your partner breathwork, and the children downward dog. Allow everyone the chance to do their own things. You will still gain all the benefits of your practice doing it together even if each of you choose different aspects to focus on. Incorporate affirmations into your practice. Working on a positive attitude can shift negative attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs into more positive beliefs which can bring about positive changes. Most importantly when doing your family yoga practice, remember to have fun. Yoga does not have to be so serious. It is perfectly okay to laugh, be silly, and have fun.