Since Lucien was born, I’ve been fitting in my asana practice whenever I can–during his nap times, and, more recently, when Neil comes home from work.
Because I tend to be tired from the day by the time I unroll my mat, my practice has become more and more centered around restoratives. Supta Baddha Konasana, and then a Supta Virasana. A series of forward bends. Yes, I do shoulder stand, but with a chair. I go up in headstand and stay there for a few minutes, but with the support of a wall. In class, I practice my standing poses and backbends, but that is only once a week.
My body misses those active poses.
I knew the key would be to practice earlier in the day, but how to make the time? My friend and yoga teacher Marla Apt suggested I begin simply, by adding not a whole practice session but rather a pose or two or three after my morning meditation.
A handstand. Pincha Mayurasana. Some standing poses.
Who needs coffee?
So far, so good–minus a few days off for a bad cold. I’m spending 10-30 minutes in the morning on this energetic mini-practice before Neil goes to work. A doable commitment. Which means on a good day, I am now practicing yoga twice a day, once in the morning, and again in the evening.
Want to join me?
Jessica Berger Gross is the author of enLIGHTened: How I Lost 40 Pounds with a Yoga Mat, Fresh Pineapples, and a Beagle Pointer (Skyhorse). She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and three-year-old son. “Like” her author page on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter @jbergergross. Visit her at www.jessicabergergross.com.
Jessica Berger Gross
