Guest post written by Amy Bevan, a journalist and freelance non-fiction writer based in Southern Maine.  She contributes regularly to The Portsmouth Herald, and is the creator of The PranaMama, an online resource for mothers focusing on wellness topics, such as yoga, nutrition and fitness.   She has written for the ChildLight Yoga newsletter, and her work has also appeared on The Kids Yoga Resource.com, Raising Maine.com and A Balancing Act, a webzine for writers. 

The PranaMama loves sharing the wisdom of the yamas and niyamas.  What Mom couldn’t love a list of “dos and don’ts”? 

Todd Parr, children’s author of the very silly book of the same title, offers excellent advice to toddlers, such as “Do change your socks every day, but don’t make anyone smell them.”  Brilliant! 

For a mom whose brain occasionally resembles that of a two-year-old’s, a Todd Parr book is an excellent guide to daily living.  The rest of the time, when we struggle with life’s dilemmas (only a handful of which are more daunting than the task of changing one’s socks), we have the first two limbs of classical yoga to turn to.  The yamas and niyamas serve as an excellent guide to PranaMamas worldwide!  

Yoga has changed my perspective on parenting.  It is for this reason I enjoy sharing yoga philosophy with moms who are not familiar with the yamas and niyamas.

Although I’m far from perfect, here are ten ways in which yoga makes me a better mom:

1. I accept my children for who they are.  I do not try to make them into a version of myself, or anyone else. (SANTOSHA: contentment)

2.  I do not beat myself up for failure, or let stress levels escalate when things don’t go as planned (AHIMSA: non-violence).

3. I am not afraid of saying no to others when my time and energy are being drained.  (SATYA: truthfulness)  My kids benefit from a mom who is not overscheduled and burnt out.

4. I try not to discuss my anger or annoyance with someone when my children are present.    By projecting negativity towards someone they may care deeply about, I would be creating confusion or disappointment on their behalf.  (BRAHMACARYA: Self-restraint)

5. I do not spoil my children with objects they don’t need.  I practice saying no, even when it leads to emotional outbursts in public.  My hope is they will learn to appreciate all that life has to offer on a non-commercial scale.  (APARIGRAHA: Absence of Greed)

6. I care about nutrition and balanced, healthy diets for myself and my family.  I allow treats, but not all the time, and usually when accompanied by something nutritious and wholesome.  (SAUCHA: Cleanliness, moderation)  I want my children to have a healthy relationship with food and know limits of consumption.

7. By seeking professional help when parenting overwhelmed me, I became a more patient mom by virtue of understanding myself and my triggers to emotional overload.  I have a far greater ability to accept challenging circumstances without letting them take over.  (SVADHYAYA: Self-study)

8. I am committed to my yoga practice, even if that commitment is through study, writing and sharing wisdom with others.  It makes me a stronger, more balanced and happier mom.  (TAPAS: Discipline and dedication)

9. I’m honest with myself about my intentions, abilities and objectives, as a mom and as a person. (ASTEYA: honesty, non-stealing)

10. I don’t try to control everything, (although I used to!)  I recognize my feelings when something isn’t right, and I accept life’s gifts as only welcome when one makes room with an open heart.  I hope my children will also learn to “roll with the punches” as they relate to a spiritual being guiding them on their way. (ISHVARAPRANIDHANA: Spiritual Attunement).