Starting and committing to any exercise routine is tough.
The same goes for your yoga practice. Whether you are just starting your journey or you have been practicing for years, we all struggle with maintaining the momentum of the routine. And, when you are a busy mother, finding time for yourself seems to be the biggest hurdle. We understand.
Don’t despair. It is possible to practice yoga, despite a hectic schedule. It just takes some flexibility (not just physical – mental too!), and some ingenuity.
So, here are a few things to consider as you assess how you will make time for yoga — how you will start your practice and how you will make it a daily habit.
It’s literally a matter of determining when, where and how you can make your yoga practice work for you.
1. When do you have time to practice? Can you practice before the kids wake up in the morning? How about during your lunch break? Or, maybe you are a night owl? Finding the right time of day is key. And, if there seems to be no right time — make one! I’m not a morning person. In fact, I really despise getting up early, but I have no time otherwise, so an early morning routine, while painful at first, is ideal for my lifestyle. What works for yours?
2. How long do you have? Perhaps you only have 30 minutes to spare. Or, maybe you have two hours? The amount of time you can make for yoga will dictate how you practice. And, how you practice is totally up to you! You may only have time or the inclination to do 10-15 minutes of sun salutations. This still counts as practicing. There are no rules about how long you need to be on the mat.
3. How often? Can you commit to practicing once a week? Once a month? Do you have the luxury of practicing every day?
4. Where will you practice? Thankfully, going to a yoga class at a gym or studio is not the only way to practice yoga. You can download a practice online or design your own flow and playlist. I bet you have DVDs collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. Once you figure out when and how long you can practice, the actual practice will fall right into place!
5. How will you stay motivated? Perhaps it’s a yoga companion? Or a yoga community? Whether you have a friend to practice with or a community to share your experience with (e.g., Instagram), both will make the journey so much more fun! Even if you are not in the same room, sharing your experience and progress photos will inspire.
You may realize, after walking through this exercise, that finding time really has more to do with finding someone to watch your kids. Even if you plan to practice from home, exercising in the presence of small children is nearly impossible. (Believe me, I’ve tried. I vividly remember trying to follow a fitness DVD as my two toddlers joined me on my mat, mimicking my every move and talking to me throughout the routine as I was sweating profusely unable to catch my breath. In hindsight, it was funny, but at the time, I was annoyed that I couldn’t find a way to make it work!)
If this is the case, you must enlist support. Ask a parent or spouse to watch the kids so that you can take a class. If you have the means, hire a babysitter — a student even, to keep costs low. Swap babysitting time with a friend. You practice yoga one day, while she watches your kids. You reciprocate. It’s not impossible. It just takes some creativity!
Aside from getting into shape, feeling healthy and strong — finding time for yoga — finding time for you — is so important for your mental well-being. So, don’t be discouraged. You can make it work. And, if you are feeling stressed, just ask us. We struggle to fit yoga into our lives, just like you!
