Mom…Meet Yoga.

MomMeetYogaBack in the fall of 2010 I started to have issues with my back. A trip to the doctor and an MRI later I found out I had a bulging disk in my already curved lower back; likely the result of child birth. I asked my doctor what I could do to relieve pain and keep movement in my spine. I was an avid runner at the time and wasn’t willing to let anything stand in my way. My doctor’s answer was one simple word, which literally made me cringe. “YOGA”. Yep…my passion for yoga wasn’t always there. I had dabbled in yoga while in college and even did some prenatal yoga to help through my pregnancy… but the thought of doing yoga on a regular basis seemed so, well, boring. I thought about long breaths, humming, and “finding inner peace.” I was bored just thinking about it. So I ran…and I ran some more…until one day I couldn’t walk.

So, I bought a yoga DVD. Talk about boring. I bought another yoga DVD. Why!? Then, my friend invited me to her yoga studio for a class…the teacher kept adjusting my down dog, telling me I had too much tension in my shoulders. I couldn’t touch my toes. Tree pose? What’s that? I was a runner, and I was stiff, and I was in pain. However, this yoga class was a much needed wake-up call. It helped tremendously to have someone critique my poses.  I then found out that my gym at work offered yoga three times through the work week, so I went… and I fell in love.

I still ran a ton, but I cross trained with yoga. My passion for yoga grew rapidly over the years, and I can now tell when I skip a class. I learned that yoga classes aren’t always about standing and breathing for an hour or chanting… but that inner peace stuff? That is real, and I have it. The breathing techniques I learned in yoga help me daily. When kids get wild, or someone at work is driving me crazy, or another medical bill pops up, I’ve learned through time to just STOP… breathe… clear my mind and handle every situation in the present moment. I have learned to let it all go.

Yoga isn’t just for me, though. My family reaps the benefits of my yoga practice as well. Who doesn’t want a happy and healthy wife? Or a mom who can chase her four year old and catch the baby before he scoots off the bed? (Is that just me? Hmm.)

The benefits of yoga spread further than the mental and physical changes; it teaches healthy living to the little people who watch our every move. Those awesome little beings that mimic things we do and say – my daughter is four and she loves yoga. Sure, her down dog needs some work, but she’s doing it, and she enjoys it. Watching her learn, grow, and discover what she loves is an amazing and fulfilling thing. Yoga really helps me be the mom I want to be.

If you don’t have time to hit up a local studio for class, (which I recommend you try a few times anyway until you are familiar with yoga) I want to share the website that saves me.  Www.yogaglo.com This website is where you can pay monthly for unlimited yoga classes that will stream right to your phone, computer, TV, or tablet. You can thank me later.

Here are just a few awesome local yoga studios:

http://www.balanceyogabarre.com  – They now have three locations, so maybe one is near you?

http://www.flat-tide.com – Yoga on a paddleboard. Did you know Oklahoma had this? So fun. Try it.

http://www.ashtangayogastudio.com – Ashtanga yoga in Norman

There is a class held in MWC at St. Philip Neri on Thursday nights at 5:30 (FREE)

There is also a class held in Choctaw at J. Lillys boutique on Wednesdays at 7pm (FREE)

So many options… no excuses.

Namaste.

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LaurenFarrisI am a local Okie, wife, mom of two beautifully awesome kids: Addison who is 4 and Oliver who is 8 months, and a full time government employee. I am very passionate about my family, healthy living, yoga, and spreading the word of health and fitness. I teach yoga a couple days a week, I love to bake vegan goodies (because in my mind, if it’s vegan, it’s also calorie free), I love to play in my garden & take pride in the produce we get from it. I’ve recently become a soccer mom, enjoy running, my pups, and spending time outdoors with my family.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Hi, thank you for sharing your story on back pain. i have been suffering from back pain since giving birth over a year now. Can you please share the doctor’s name who helped you and suggested yoga? im worried because it’s getting to the point where i am not able to lift my son anymore. i refuse to take painkillers, seems what doctors like to give in this day and age. i definitely like to try yoga after i receive a diagnosis. thank you!

    • Hey, Dee… Unfortunately, the doctor I saw moved out of State. When you’re given the go ahead to practice yoga or if you decide to try it on your own, find me on facebook (Okie Yogi) and PM me… I will be more than happy to help you however I can!

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