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It is no secret that moms are stressed. The mental health of mothers is a popular topic researched by psychology programs across the country and reported on by the major networks. The Today Show on NBC recently ran a feature exploring the reasons why 46% of moms report themselves to be stressed and unhappy.
Experts agree that to combat stress, it is important for mothers to set aside time for themselves, including time to exercise. Yoga is a form of exercise that claims to help its practitioners cope with stress. But to practice yoga, do you have to be an expert at meditation? Do you have to be fit and flexible? Or can it connect with the everyday mom with little or no yoga experience?
Lisa Brownstead, yoga instructor and owner of Pretty Postures Yoga Parties, sees a strong connection. Lisa is like a lot of moms: she drives a minivan, chauffeurs her kids to school and activities, and struggles to strike a balance between work and family. What sets her apart is her passion for yoga and her belief that it can transform the lives of moms and families. According to Lisa, the benefits of yoga for mothers are many: |
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- Increase your energy. Lack of energy is something that almost every mother struggles with. Yoga dramatically boosts energy levels, even for those new to the practice. Forget your craving for afternoon coffee; a few back bends can provide instant energy when you most need it.
- Find satisfaction with your body. Many moms struggle with accepting their post-baby bodies. Women who practice yoga report more satisfaction with their bodies compared to women who don’t do yoga.
- Boost your immune system. Moms don’t have time to get sick. Twisting exercises actually massage inner organs and help break down toxins in the body. Additionally, a thorough yoga workout may cause you to sweat, which also rids the body of toxins.
- Improve your coping skills. There are days when Mom may be irritable, whether it is from a lack of sleep, worries over a child’s behavior, or feeling overwhelmed with the workload involved with raising a family. Yoga teaches deep breathing and calming techniques to help moms cope with irritability and anxiety.
- Improve your kids’ coping skills. Children struggle with stress too, and coping skills and anger management may be hard to learn. Yoga can teach kids calming techniques and improve self-esteem. Yoga has also been reported to improve the lives of children with ADD/ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other disorders.
Lisa emphasizes that taking the time to practice yoga is not being selfish. A calmer, happier mother benefits the entire family.
Lisa’s business is based in Charlotte, NC. Her teaching schedule is found on her web site, www.prettypostures.com.