I am a firm believer in the positive results that have manifested in my life after developing a deep yoga practice. However, I cannot for the life of me get someone to try yoga if they don’t want to or stick with it if they have already decided they are "not a yoga person." Some of the reasons I come across for the aversion to yoga are "I don’t like to sit still" or "I am not flexible enough." Others feel that it is frustrating, hard, and they do not feel the "greatness" many speak of who are regular practitioners.

Regardless, here I go - again. Yoga is an amazing form of exercise to begin in any stage of life, but particularly when you are a parent. Life becomes frazzled, we have a hard time getting enough sleep, and many of us are in a constant state of worry that can manifests itself in the form of an illness - whether in bouts of small colds, chronic issues, or at worst, life threatening conditions. Do I have your attention? Being parents, one of our jobs is to stay healthy. It is a right everyone has and that everyone should (pardon the pun) exercise, but as parents, we need to.

There is no shortage of physical health benefits of yoga such as lowered blood pressure, increased energy, and improved digestion. These are great, but as a parent I am most excited about the mental benefits. These can include:

• Increased concentration


• A “quieter mind” which can aid in deeper and longer sleep


• Decreased anger and impatience


• Improved memory


• Increased mood elevation


• Greater sense of well-being


• Decrease in anxiety and depression


• Increased self-awareness

Imagine the advantage offered by being able to apply these improvements to your daily home life. Sound too good to be true? In the short term, it can be. And for many, that's where those ideas about not being "a yoga person" come from.

It can take a while to find the class that fits your personal needs or style, and it can take even longer to feel the benefits. There are many styles, and on top of that, each teacher can vastly differ from the next, even within the same style. There are some basic truths about style differences (Ashtanga is know for its vigorous practice where as Iyengar is known for a deep focus on alignment with a healthy dose of prop usage) but descriptions will vary from studio to studio, and teacher to teacher. Check out the websites of places in your area and see what speaks to you, or ask an employee to help you find the right class. I would do a basics class or workshop before jumping into any other level. This way you can give your body a chance to understand what to expect physically as well as mentally. Once you have a basic understanding, experiment with styles, teachers and locations.

I do suggest trying out a yoga studio if you have not found a class at your local gym that suits you. Once you have made the decision to start a practice, give yourself a month or more to find the right class for you. You may have to take some classes twice to really get a feel. Also, your yoga needs may change as do. For instance, I was an "ashtanga girl" before the birth of my first son, and then began to appreciate more meditative styles after. This is still evolving. Be mindful of where you are in your life right now - yes, this skill will come with yoga practice!

Does this sound like a lot of work for an exercise regimen? It can be. It can also create a change so amazing you do not know how you lived without it! If you have started your journey down the yoga path, please share your thoughts with us so we can encourage other parents to get on board!

Lower photo by austinevan, shared via Flickr.