When I found out I was pregnant I had some pretty clear visions of the mother to be I would be…Radiant, glowing, peaceful and maternal. I often struggled being these things when I was not pregnant so I am not sure why exactly I thought that surging hormones, rapid weight gain, rabid mood swings and back pain would bring forth these qualities, but a naive first time mother can dream.
I was also sure that I would be fully immersed in a yoga practice that would support me in pregnancy, labour and motherhood. I’m going to be honest here- I have never done less yoga than when I was pregnant and now 1 year on from the birth of my son things have not improved much. But I’m OK with it. Here is the story of how I learned to really practice non attachment.
During the early stages of my pregnancy I was in India, feeling extremely hyper vigilant and suddenly terrified of anything that might harm my unborn baby- perhaps it is maternal instinct but everything felt like a major threat- the water (mineral water boiled THREE times), the food (what about the GERMS!), my beautiful dogs (what about the PARASITES!), and sadly my yoga practice… I was sure- even with all of my yoga education that somehow my practice was a threat to the safety of my pin head sized miracle growing in my belly.
I know now, looking back, that of course there was no threat from my yoga practice- quite the opposite, but I also know that I needed to listen to my instincts; hide in my bedroom and plan my escape from India, back to Europe as quickly as possible because if I had not done those things I would have cracked up.
When I got back to Europe I was 5 months pregnant and the fear surrounding my practice evaporated. But then the exhaustion set in. I just could not muster enough energy to get out of bed some days let alone complete a modified sun salutation. I started to feel like a yoga fraud. I was a yoga studio owner and educator who was spending the majority of my time on the couch watching Say Yes to the Dress using my rolled up yoga mat as a tray table to eat bowls of popcorn from. I was terrified the yoga police would burst through the door and arrest me. Every week I committed to taking a pregnancy yoga class with our amazing pre natal guru Lisa at Himalaya Yoga Valley and every week I fell asleep, or showed up 20 minutes late because I was too slow walking to our studio and every week I felt like a yoga failure without even stepping foot into a yoga class.
Finally, when the tiredness passed at around the 6 month mark, I sprung back in to my practice. I felt invigorated and at peace, edging slowly towards the hallmark card pregnant yoga lady that had been so far, so elusive.
And then one week into this glorious phase of pre natal yoga joy the cracks started to show. In my rib. All through my pregnancy I had a terrible cough- according to my obstetrician this was common and it would clear when I had the baby. During a particularly strenuous coughing session I cracked a rib and ended up in the emergency room in excruticating pain. Through the tears I asked the midwife if labour would be this painful. She just smiled at me and said nothing. Kind soul.
I was sent home with no drugs and advice that I should rest. I could not move, sleep, walk long distances or even pick up my yoga mat to use it as a tray table (these were dark times) and the thought of yoga was laughable. I spent the next two months trying to manage my injury as baby grew bigger and bigger and my expanding ribs screamed at me for relief.
I could not wait to go in to labour and experience the gentle birth I had worked towards all through my pregnancy. I had coaching from the most wonderful midwife and yogini Bindu, from Bindus Birth Preparation. I was extremely confident that my body was entirely designed to deliver a baby in a peaceful and positive way and although I expected pain I was prepared for it all.
And then my waters broke- and we rushed to the hospital without the bag I had packed and had sitting next to my bed for the last 4 months, without my birthing ball, without my hospital file and without any money to pay for the taxi. Because I was prepared and calm you see.
In the hospital they noticed that my son’s heart rate was a little high, that I seemed to be progressing a little too fast and that perhaps he was in distress. I won’t go in to the details of my labor experience because I truly believe that gentle, positive and happy births are possible and they are also not the ones you hear about enough because they are not as exciting. I don’t want to add to the negativity that expectant mothers face with dramatic horror stories void of the beauty that is bringing life into the world. I truly believe that women are at their most powerful when birthing and this power is often depleted by the fear that is instilled in us from the minute we conceive.
Unfortunately I ended up in an emergency situation, it can happen. Mostly it doesn’t. I’m beyond grateful I was in a hospital and that it was 2014 not 1914 and there were things that could be done to make sure my baby arrived safely and without injury into the world. The birth was extremely traumatic- physically and psychologically for my baby, my husband and I, but I genuinely believe that is an exception rather than the norm. In my case maybe I could have been more balanced in my view of birth and included the possibility of struggle or emergency and it would have benefited me as I actually of believed I would do a few yoga breaths and he would pop out. Not so for me but doesn’t mean it’s not possible ladies!
But here is the great part. In my arms was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes upon. I never thought he could be more beautiful than he was that moment they placed him on my chest but he just keeps on keeping on being more and more perfect every day-in fact not a moment passes where he doesn’t get more beautiful.
OK, babyswoon over! What about my yoga practice? Now that the pressure was off my ribs, the cough was gone and the stitches were dissolving, would I roll out my yoga mat and get back into it?
Sure I would. For exactly 30 seconds before my little bundle of screeching joy would demand to be breastfed or held or sung to or have his nappy changed.
Here was the new mothers yoga sequence I developed.
Inhale, raise the arms
Pick up baby and breast feed for 15 minutes
Exhale, fold forward- for the first time in your yoga life try NOT to focus on the area between your perineum and anus. No, seriously. Don’t. Wait a few months.
Pick up baby and breast feed for 30 minutes
Inhale, half lift
Pick up baby and breast feed 12 minutes
No time for forward fold
Clean runny poo off your yoga mat and out of your hair
Exhale, forward fold
Do the laundry. Are you crazy? Why are you doing a sun salutation? You have to wash 678 baby gros.
Burst into tears and accuse your husband of being a selfish twat because he went to the shop for 6 minutes.
3 second closing Savasana.
Accidentally pass out and wake up to screaming baby.
Feel free to use that sequence and make it yours ladies…
So, my postpartum practice started off shakily and really I am not sure how much better it has gotten in the last year in terms of physical practice but here are a few things I have learned about yoga and being a new mom.
I have to look after my babies momma. He only has one, and no matter how busy, tired or stressed she is she deserves to be well nourished, practice self care through yoga and to have a little time for herself. These days my practice is usually much shorter but much better than the first few weeks of motherhood. I try to take 15-20 minutes in the morning to practice Surya Namaskar, some standing postures, grounding seated postures, inversions and most importantly pranayama and that is enough.
This may not seem much to yoga folk like the old me who had a lot of time to invest in my physical practice but I have truly come to appreciate the middle ground approach that is taken by people here in India to incorporate yoga into their lives without attachment to the outcome. I am so grateful to be able to have that time, the incredible benefits of that practice, no matter how short and to be able to go back to being a better mother than before I stepped onto my mat.
Your baby will bring you closer to enlightenment. One of the most life changing aspects of parenthood that no one can prepare you for is how vulnerable you become. You can not negotiate with the love that takes over. You can not play games, avoid commitment or run for the hills like you can with any other relationship and that can be terrifying. The greatest spiritual growth I have experienced did not come from chanting mantra, reading the yoga sutras or deep in meditation- it came from having to face a love so great, so powerful that it left me entirely open to the possibility of real loss, pain and of course immense joy. I found the courage to face that love with an open heart and I am proud of the spiritual growth that took place for that to happen.
Yoga is about letting go. Hindsight is 20/20 and I know now that during my early days of pregnancy and perhaps after my son was born I could have done more in terms of a physical practice but I think as new mothers we have so many expectations to meet- from ourselves, the world, our families and of course our little people. If yoga becomes another expectation or burden it can lose it’s joy. For me it brought me guilt rather than peace. Of course I know that was not yogas fault, it was me being hard on myself and I wish the me sitting here now could reach back in time and say- it’s OK, you’ll get your practice back, enjoy this time.
Yoga can only make things better. Try to find space for yoga in any way, shape or form. It doesn’t have to be a 2 hour practice, it doesn’t have to be any asana at all. It could be a 5 minute meditation, a 15 minute pranayama session or if you are willing to ask most people will jump at the chance to help- get someone to watch baby for 30 minutes or an hour and get into a restorative or dynamic practice. Your baby will benefit so much from your yoga practice.
The early days are hard and wonderful and maddening and magical and one thing is for sure- they get easier. Your baby will go from needing constant care, attention, and feeding in the early weeks to happily playing on his own mat while you crack on with your 40 minute practice in the later days. Trust that you will get your practice back, that at some point you will reemerge from the shadow of your babies constant needs and that when you do you will find your way back to your mat.
Someone told me to imagine my sons life like a string of pearls. His infancy, they said is only a few pearls on that string and I would forever regret missing any of it. It’s true. Time flies, enjoy your baby. Practice Ahimsa with yourself, forgive yourself, let go of expectations and look at what you have achieved. It’s right there in your arms.
For practitioners who become parents there can be a huge contrast between your practice then, and your practice now. I think we need to support each other in understanding that every single situation, baby and parent is unique. Many of my peers and mentors never saw any changes in their yoga practice during and after pregnancy and that is completely possible too. Embrace whatever comes your way, take what you can get in terms of time and space but don’t fight the most wonderful change that will ever come your way.
I would like everyone to know that this article you read in 5 minutes only took me 3 months to write during nap times.
Peace and love to all the new moms, the wonderful supportive dads and the beautiful squidges they have created!
Eveanna
