When the miraculous thing happens - both boys are asleep, I start to REALLY prioritize what I do - what are the things I cannot do with them and *quick* GO!

Yoga, believe it or not is on that list.

Today's practice, now tell me if this is too much info, was done without a mat and without pants! Yep, I said it, without pants. Get into something comfy - well, no time to change into pants. Just get the jeans off!

I quickly searched YouTube on my iPad and found this lovely video. Fourteen minutes and some seconds later, that was the end of the practice. Baby boy could be heard (loudly) on the monitor.

Was the fifteen minutes enough?

Research probably says yes! But I was only able to find this article on the benefits of short and longer durations of yoga. 

In my mind, any amount of yoga is good yoga. The breathing and focus on oneself for even 15 minutes is like candy for the soul.

The refreshing shoulder rolls, cat-cows and the final pose of downward facing dog were worth it!
LW

Sprinkling yoga into my day to day life is just how things have to go. No formal classes or dedicated practice, just "hits" of yoga when it works. Here is a list of my current favourite yoga poses and where they fit into my day:

• Deep squat when doing sidewalk chalk outside with my toddler

• Cat-Cow when watching TV for 15 minutes after both kiddos have finally gone to bed (time to zone out but still move!)

• Tree pose while brushing my teeth (the mirror provides helpful cues and my electronic toothbrush counts the time!)

• Breathing! When the day to day crazy gets to be too much, I just focus on my breath

• Pelvic floor/kegel work while driving...I haven't been able to master this one yet (too distracting!)
  

Yoga has to fit. And this is just how it works...for now,
LW

Time is one of my barriers to yoga practice these days. It is probably the most often "excuse" I hear as an exercise physiologist when encouraging people to be physically active. I can definitely relate now with a newborn and toddler!

This week I was able to insert some impromptu yoga into my visit to the park. With a warm, sunny day, a walk to the park was in order. I perched my stroller beside a park bench (don't worry, hubby was with toddler) and started my practice.

In the five or so minutes I had, I used the park bench to support three to four poses. As I recently wrote, using a chair (or park bench) can be very supportive to multiple poses. The two poses that gave me most what I needed were downward facing dog and modified pigeon pose.

It just seemed natural to fall into downward facing dog. My back, shoulders and chest have taken a beating of sorts lately especially with late, late night feedings. The park bench was the perfect height for hand placement and as I pushed my hips back, I soon realized I was at the lip of the play ground surround. This allowed for my heels to drop below the level ground which was ideal for a deeper calf stretch. Ahhhh...

Fold forward with one leg on the bench, I moved into modified pigeon pose. One leg at a time I was able to give my tight hips a nice release thanks to the park bench.

So, in my mind, I won't use time as an excuse as I did fit it...and every bit counts, right?

Practicing what I preach!
LW

As any new mom can attest, after the baby is born, life has changed! Whether it be your first, second, or third (hold up, I just have two!), your lifestyle shifts into a whole other dimension. 

Juggling a newborn and toddler is a feat in itself but add the physical recovery after delivery and the lack of sleep.  The mind and body just craves attention. 

I am of the personality to never stop. I rarely slow down. I love challenges and this one is probably one of the biggest of my life. In regular circumstances I bustle through and crash one Friday night but since this is a sort of "long haul" endeavour, I look to my yoga practice for reprieve and rejuvenation.

To be frank, short walks and some gentle stretching was my extent this week. I dropped back into child's pose for 30 seconds here and there. Closing my eyes, pressing my hips back for a delightful stretch in my back. 

It was in these fews moments that I got my recharge, to help cope with little sleep and the chance to get back to my pre-pregnancy self. My back also appreciated the stretch too.

Small steps for calm in this hectic time. It will only get better from here,
LW