Is there such a thing as balance when you’re working, raising kids, grocery shopping, keeping up with laundry and thinking about dozens of things at once? There is with Vrksasana (Tree Pose). This pose can help you find your center.
Ever since I became a working mom, I’ve been up to the challenge to find the balance between work, raising my little ones, teaching yoga, writing books, grocery shopping, keeping up with laundry—basically doing all the things. But all the things can’t be done today—or even this week—and that’s OK.
Sometimes the balance is in accepting that you’ve done what you could today, or for now at least. But I’ve had to relearn this many, many times. I was conditioned to value accomplishing tasks and checking things off the lists I keep over rest and sleep. Intentional self-care has helped me undo some of this original programming that I know many of us share.
When you live to do, do, do, you set yourself up for depletion and deletion. How many of you reading this start your day off tired, with little motivation and energy?
This is precisely why I’m such a major advocate for working moms and self-care. It’s not OK to put ourselves last.
Get self-care ideas delivered to your inbox monthly and 25% off my books when you register for the Nourish Note newsletter.
When it feels like you’re giving, giving, giving to everything and everyone else, and you’re in a constant state of depletion instead of renewal, that’s a red flag that something’s off and it needs to be addressed before it festers into something bigger.
Going to bed several hours after everyone else in the house, skipping exercise more than a few days in a row, choosing fast food over home-cooked meals—these are all things that happen from time to time, but when they become part of what you do every day, they feed into each other and can easily throw you off your center.
Take care of yourself. On purpose. That’s what intentional self-care is all about. It’s self-care on purpose.
Try the superfood asana (a balance yoga pose) below, which shows you how when your foundation is firmly rooted, you can stay grounded no matter what’s swirling around you. You’ll want to take your socks and shoes off for this one!
Practice It: Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
Stand with your feet firmly rooted into the ground with your ankles under your hips.
Lift your right foot and draw the sole of your foot to the inside of your left leg, above or below your left knee.
Press your hands together at your heart or draw your arms overhead.
Bring your attention to a point on the ground or in front of you and keep a focused gaze on that spot. Take three cycles of breath here.
Release your right foot to the ground. Repeat on the left side.
Note that this website is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine or wellness plan.