A Mother’s Day Partner Yoga Practice

Mother’s Day! This is that one special day that we, as Moms, are celebrated by those that we nurture and develop, we love, care for, and raise. This does not have to be biological child and can even include our furry friends who become part of our family and children. Being honored in this way can come in many different forms. It could be breakfast in bed, flowers and chocolates, a homemade card or gift, a day at the spa, or maybe even just some quiet time for a bubble bath.

As a mother of a teenage daughter, the biggest gift I could receive is for us to spend time together bonding. She committed her time to me today and told me she would do whatever I wanted on “my day.” It didn’t take me too long to decide what I wanted to do. While yoga is not necessarily my daughter’s go to experience at the present moment, she did indulged me in a partner practice

If you think of yoga as just a solo practice, think again. Have you ever notice the collective energy that is created during the practice in your yoga classes. Do you feel that little buzz stirring in you during Savasana? When you do a partner practice you have direct contact with that energy. In addition, working with a partner allows you move deeper into your poses with support. Add all that to the fact you are creating a bond of trust with your partner and you have the perfect mother/daughter or mother/son experience. As a side note, I haven’t tried this with furry family but goat yoga sure is all the rage!

Here are eight great poses for you to try now with your child in a Yoga Partner practice.

Back to Back Easy Pose – Sukhasana

Sitting back to back during a quick meditation helps keep the spine erect. You feels supported and share in the energy you are creating.

Back to Back Seated Side Twist – Pariritta Sukhasana

From your meditation pose, twist in the opposite direction of your partner, looking over your shoulder, place your hands on their knees. You are deepening your side stretch and keeping a more upright spine with a partner

Double Boat Pose – Ardha Navasana

Face each other seated with knees up. Grab each others hands and lean back as you bring your feet together to touch. Lean back into your boat pose engaging your core. This poses is good for those that have a challenge going into a boat pose solo.

Wide Legged Forward Fold – Upavishtha Konasana

Still facing each other, spread you legs wide and touch the feet together. Grab each other hands and take turns folding forward and back for an intensified stretch.

Tree Pose – Vrkasasana

Stand next to each other and lock arms. Bring your opposite foot to you ankle or inner thigh. Support each other in this balancing pose, switching to the opposite leg to assure you even on both sides.

Double Dancer

So this is one of my daughters favorite poses so I threw this one in especially for her. Face each other on the mat a torso distance apart. Reach back and raise your leg, grabbing your ankle with the same arm. Fold forward and inner twine arms with your partner. Supporting of your partner in this pose allows you to hold the pose longer and go deeper into the stretch. Don’t forget to switch to the opposite leg.

Flying Warrior – Airplane

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This one was for me. When my daughter was young she love to do this and it is still just as fun as she has grown up although it was a bit of fail for us. Don’t let that stop you though from trying it. One partner lies on the floor with feet and arms up. The second partner grabs the other partners hands slowly lower onto the feet at hip creases. Second partners is the flyer and this is fun, do remember to engage the core for proper support though. If appropriate (depending on age and size) switch so everyone gets to be an airplane!

Savasana!

Always wrap up your practice with Savasana!

Hope you enjoy this partner practice with your kids today. Whatever you do, I hope you are honor for the special you give everyday being a mom!

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