Family's that practice yoga together stay together

The word yoga means union, a union of mind, body and soul. It can also bring families together and help families to stay together. It is my experience and understanding that a family that practices yoga together sticks together.

Yoga is all about uniting the forces within and that is essentially what a family is. Different energies, sometimes opposing, struggling to find their place and work together. Most families want to find a common bond, a place where each individual can be themselves and coexist with the others. This is not an easy task as adults and children are so vastly different and the characteristics of each individual vary so much.

Practicing yoga as a family is a wonderful way to bond. Kids and adults can all benefit from the positive energy that yoga can bring. Being present in the moment is something that takes practice no matter what age you are and sometimes the kids can help the parents in this way. I have been pleasantly surprised quite often when my children have reminded me that now is the most important time, not next week, not tomorrow but just right now, as we sit and play together. Letting go of what I was planning, thinking, worrying about and being present with my children is one of the wonders of my world but I do forget this sometimes and get stuck in my head. Luckily I have two little reminders in the form of a 6 year old petal and a 3 year old darling that bring me back to the now.

Learning to move your body as a team is also very fun. My husband and I have laughed and laughed as we all roll out our mats and practice abit of yoga in the middle of the lounge room. Kids are fun and yoga is beautiful and mixing the two is really great.

Childrens bodies are fluid and they hold less emotional baggage in their muscles than we adults do. My children laughing at my husband as he reaches for his toes is good for the soul. Remember yoga is not about who can touch their toes it is about who is present in their body, right now. My kids are great teachers and that is a gift that yoga bestows upon us daily.

Ego can get in the way for adults and kids are definitely a great and wonderful way to remember that the heart rules the family, not the head. I have found that when we all start to practice some yoga together we can keep the concentration for around 30 minutes. That is enough time to really connect as a group and become aware of the energy we can generate together. This connection is truly heart felt and the calmness that descends upon our home is very special. After around 30 minutes the kids get jumpy and my husband does start to lose concentration also, I am the one that wants to continue. So I do so and the family begins to hustle and bustle around me. At one time I would also stop and find my way back into the day. Now I continue with my practice and the kids play around me. It is truly delightful. If I rest my attention on my breath I find that I can come to a place of calm and peace in amidst the noise of my home. Kids running around, husband on the phone and my breath comes in and out and I feel peace. Wow, what a wonderful experience. I practice yoga in the middle of a busy and thriving home, my children and husband secure in the feeling of connection we have just built and enjoyed through our yoga practice. Just as though I am in a peaceful yoga shala, candles on and quiet abounds. But this time the peace comes from within, love and motherhood connect and unite themselves and we all feel good.

Sometimes it is amazing the quiet that can be felt in the midst of such a busy and thriving place. Peace will find its way to you if you keep walking the path of yoga, wherever you are. Families that practice yoga together learn to open their heart together and that carries on into their lives together. Union.