Motherhood has a way of stretching us in every direction — emotionally, mentally, physically. Some days feel calm and light, and others can feel like a whirlwind of school bags, meals, emotions, and never-ending to-dos. Through all of it, yoga has quietly become one of my greatest teachers.
Not just the poses, but the way yoga teaches presence, patience, and compassion. Those lessons have shaped the way I show up as a mum far more than I ever expected.
Presence: Learning to Actually Be Here
Yoga taught me how powerful it is to come back to my breath, especially in the moments where everything feels loud or rushed.
Motherhood has those moments daily.
When I slow down, breathe, and actually see my children in front of me — not the next task, not the noise, just them — it changes the whole energy of our day.
Mindfulness isn’t about perfection; it’s about returning. Yoga teaches that every single time we come back to the mat.
Patience: Responding Instead of Reacting
There’s a huge difference between reacting and responding, and yoga helped me understand that.
A steady breath gives my mind a moment to soften before I speak.
On the days my children are overwhelmed, emotional, or testing all the limits (because that’s what kids do!), I notice how I can guide the situation better when I’m grounded. Patience isn’t something we “have” — it’s something we practise, breath by breath.
Compassion: For Them and For Ourselves
Yoga reminds us that we can’t pour from an empty cup.
As mums, we often show endless compassion to our children but forget to offer even a drop to ourselves.
When I practise yoga — even for ten slow minutes — I’m reminded that the way I care for myself directly affects the way I care for my children. Self-compassion isn’t selfish. It’s foundational.
Letting Go of the Need for Perfection
Motherhood is messy.
Yoga quietly says, “Good. You’re human.”
I’ve learned to let go of the idea that I need to be calm all the time or have everything under control. Instead, I try to meet each day with curiosity. Some days flow. Some days wobble.
Just like in yoga.
Creating a More Mindful Home
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be a big ritual. In our home it looks like:
• Slow breaths together before bedtime
• Small moments of gratitude at dinner
• Sitting with feelings instead of rushing through them
• Teaching that it’s okay to pause
These tiny habits shape a calmer, kinder, more connected environment — for us both.
Final Thoughts
Yoga hasn’t made me a perfect mum.
But it has made me a present one. A softer one. A more grounded one.
And that, I think, is the real magic of it.
