Serenity and Early Motherhood

In an effort to rest a bum forearm (gotta back off on the typing for a bit, I'm afraid) I am offering this article for your reading enjoyment.  It was published in the February issue of the Bellevue Reporter's parenting insert.  Questions/comments/feedback are all welcome!

Finding Serenity in Your New Role as Mom

By: Kelly Pretlow, Certified Purna Yoga Instructor

 

Serenity is not a word often associated with motherhood, particularly during your baby’s first year. What was once a life dedicated to one’s personal and professional pursuits must now grow to accommodate the needs of an infant – which are numerous and constant. Meanwhile, your hormones are changing, your body feels foreign and you rarely get the sleep you need.  How can new moms develop a sense of serenity in their lives while learning to nurture their baby?

 

In order to answer this question I looked to my experience teaching Prenatal and Mom & Baby yoga classes at Yoga Centers in

Bellevue

. In these classes I watch women rise to the challenge of their new circumstances every week, balancing their participation in the class with breastfeeding, soothing and the occasional diaper change. In class they learn a variety of yogic tools that are particularly helpful to new parents:

 

1. Asanas (postures) develop physical strength, flexibility and relaxation. As the body becomes more supple and mobile, moms find that many of the lingering effects of pregnancy and childbirth, such as poor digestion, constipation, lower back pain and tight hips subside. They have more endurance, sleep better and enjoy the opportunity to get reacquainted with their bodies. As their confidence in its abilities increases, so does their confidence in themselves as mothers.

2. Pranayama (breath work) helps focus and calm the mind. Students learn how to use the breath to meet their needs. Longer exhalations, for example, are used to calm the nerves while longer inhalations invigorate. Smooth, full breaths increase oxygenation of the body – a vital component of health and healing. Bhrmri breath (humming exhalation) quiets the mind while creating a vibration in the chest that releases tension in the neck, jaw and face. Even the babies respond to this practice, becoming quiet and calm as their mommies hum.

3. Meditation clears the mind and develops the awareness of our true, joyful nature. Just a few moments in this state can create a quiet inner space in which to explore your perspectives, reactions and shed what no longer applies to your life.

 

Practicing each of these yogic disciplines during pregnancy and beyond helps a woman develop a mind/body/spirit connection that centers her in her life, no matter its circumstances. This centered state is, in essence, the seed of serenity. Serenity has very little to do with what your life is actually like, and everything to do with how you feel about your life. Cultivate the ability to see the good things in your life, and when challenges arise, come back to those things in your mind. Take a few deep breaths and, literally, count your blessings. Parent from that centered place and you will find the serenity you seek. Using the lessons learned in a yoga class, even the busiest mother can feel serene in the midst of the changes and growth in her life.

Comments

[eusebius]

Lovely article. I remember doing lots of mom & baby yoga (from the "Baby Om" book) with my daughter before she became mobile. She really responded well to it for the most part and it did help me. Of course, now that she's nearly 4 I'm just trying to figure out how to get time to do it again :) Anyway there is lots of truth and wisdom in your piece. I really liked what you said about defining serenity.