Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby The Yoga Workout for New Moms

Introduction to Yoga for New Moms What Is Yoga? The word "yoga" means "yoke" in Sanskrit--a joining, a oneness. When people think of yoga they usually think of the physical aspect, but yoga was first practiced as meditation, a striving of the individual to become one with the universe. Two texts in particular are important in yoga: the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata and the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Both teach how to live a "yogic life": what to eat, how to practice yoga, how to control the mind and how to sustain one's yoga practice and reach for an ever-broader level of consciousness. The main goal of yoga is to find the peace and joy of who we are. This place is known as the ananda maya kosha or bliss body (peaceful, calm, truth). One gets to this place through practicing asanas (postures), breathing, relaxation, and meditation. Yoga is very important to me and is a big part of my life. Yes, I still get stressed from life--raising children, dealing with finances, keeping my home, work and life going. But my practice gives me a way to get grounded and remain in touch with the things in life I find very important: my growth and spirituality, my children, family and friends. Yoga is constant development. You learn what your body can do as well as the body-mind connection. Through focused breathing and meditation, I have expanded my understanding of myself and my interaction with the world. Yoga is an open-minded practice that says there is not one way to get to the truth. Yoga gives me a philosophy: some days I feel I understand many things, other times nothing. That's life; that's yoga. It's a philosophy that we work toward, learning at our own rate. The message that I take from this is to find the peace and joy of who I am and we are. Why Baby Yoga? Baby yoga is yoga practiced with your baby. It is doing yoga to help you stretch, relax and strengthen as you hold your baby, have your baby next to you or have your baby leaning against your thighs or atop your belly. Baby yoga is also special yoga positions that you guide your baby through to encourage natural flexibility and growth. Baby yoga takes advantage of babies' love of being touched. They are getting used to and exploring a new environment, and touch is both reassuring to them and a way to connect to the world. And, of course, moms love to touch their babies. For you as the mom, practicing yoga with your baby offers very tangible physical results: it helps improve your posture, flexibility, strength and endurance. It contributes to your physical and mental well-being and can help to ward off potential postpartum blues. A happier, calmer, stronger mom makes for a happier, calmer, stronger baby. The exercises will help your baby limber up, sleep easier and relax and will encourage his muscles to develop and grow. Many babies are also calmed or entertained by the chanting and children's songs that go along with some of the postures. The "Eclectic Yoga" that I teach is meant for the beginner as well as someone who has been practicing for years. The movements I use respect the special demands put on the body of a new mother. Exercise builds strength and flexibility during the prenatal period. After the baby is born, a mother is addressing the demands of nursing, cradling and carrying a growing baby. Yoga helps build confidence and a strong and healthy body. Practicing yoga with your baby is a wonderful way to add joy to your first year together. This Is Your Book I have worked with hundreds of women and their babies in the classes that I teach. Many have asked for pointers and tips before and after class, and this book is an extension of those requests. The book is intended as a guide and companion, designed to help you practice whatever approach to yoga is comfortable for you. I have included "beginner" sLarson, Jyothi is the author of 'Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby The Yoga Workout for New Moms', published 2002 under ISBN 9780553380934 and ISBN 0553380931.