Meditating Babies

Recently my daughter was flipping through Yoga Journal Magazine and she pointed to a picture inside and asked, "Mommy, can you do THIS???" I reflected for a moment silently... Yes, at one point in time I COULD do that... before getting pregnant. Out loud I simply said, "Nope. Not anymore!" And her sweet, loving reply was: "Oh yeah, you're too old. I bet I can do it though, I'M not too OLD!" and she promptly hopped into side plank while holding the toes of one foot in one hand and extended them both toward the ceiling.

Ouch! That hurt a little for a moment. But the truth is, I'm not too old. Yes, my asana practice has changed some since having a baby. But other parts of my practice have flourished. I began to get serious about meditation only AFTER my daughter was born. For a long time Kalia wouldn't sleep unless she was being held. So, in the wee hours of the night, morning, during 9am naps and afternoon naps, I missed the chance to step onto my yoga mat because I was holding a baby. So I began to sit for meditation. (As I held a sleeping baby in my arms.) In early motherhood I had no time and no energy for a daily asana practice, but I did not give up on yoga. I adapted and grew immensely- for which I am eternally thankful.

The profound shift I experienced from having a regular meditation practice is the inspiration for trying to make meditation a regular part of each practice here at Asha. I hope so much that you'll explore this part of the practice, but at the same time I know that it will be there for you whenever you're ready. (So don't feel bad if all you care about today is getting a good work-out!) --It's all good!