Yoga Through Motherhood: Adapting Your Ashtanga Practice

Home practice, unfiltered. Sometimes it's just a few moments on the mat while the baby plays nearby. Every moment counts.

The hardest challenge in the postpartum period was practicing without a routine. I learned to fit yoga in whenever I physically could, and to choose sleep over a strict schedule when my body needed it.

I used to see having a child as an obstacle. Now, I want to share my world with her. Motherhood showed me my ego and my anger, but it also made me more relaxed. It taught me that caring for others is also a practice.

A candid moment with my daughter. This journey has been my greatest teacher, revealing my own negative sides and showing me what I need to work on. Clarity brings relief.

The hardest part of practice after pregnancy is finding the time. It's a daily struggle, but my husband's support is invaluable. It's so interesting to observe the gap between knowing how a pose feels and not being able to do it physically.

Practice at 39 weeks pregnant. Just when I think I'll stop, I find myself back on the mat for a little movement. Life is changeable, and we adapt.

The leg-behind-head block of the Intermediate Series is considered a "contraceptive" in the Ashtanga world. Well, it didn't work for me! Here is how I modified the practice throughout my pregnancy.

A modified Parighasana (Gate Pose) during my pregnancy. It's crucial to adapt the practice to listen to your body's changing needs, creating space for the baby while still finding movement.

Practicing drop-backs at 30 weeks pregnant. My legs felt surprisingly weak during the second trimester, and getting back up was a challenge. It was a lesson in humility and listening to my body.