Besides the basic equipment and clothing which makes yoga practice easier and more comfortable, it is so important to bring a positive mindset to the training. Sometimes this is not always the case and it may be that you want to practice yoga because you are stressed or feeling low. In this case it is even more important to begin with breathing techniques, designed to slow the breath and give you focus. During this time you must look inwards at what is is you are doing yoga for and praise yourself for giving your mind and body a chance to open and relax. Only then can you begin a true yoga practice. Practicing yoga with your baby is an incredible experience yet these principles should still be followed whenever possible. Take time with your baby to relax and get into the right state of mind, this might mean singing a song together, lying on a blanket by your yoga mat, taking a bath or just lying quietly, letting your baby get accustomed to your silence and stillness. You must experiment with what works for you to bring you to a positive place!
Often new (and older!) mothers are disillusioned with their shape and feel they will never get back to where they want to be and this reflects in how you approach your yoga practice. It does not help to wear baggy clothing that drown you and hide any feminine shape, for example. Choose clothing that makes you feel good about yourself but also shows your figure so you can see what your body is doing and how it is changing over time is the best advice. One of yoga’s main ideas is that you are at one with yourself, in harmony with who you are, so you need to learn acceptance. You are already on the road to becoming who you want to be if you are not there already and once you have started down that road you only get closer to your goal so if you need to, remind yourself of that and stop giving yourself a hard time!
