Strength in Serenity: Ayurvedic Insights and Yoga Practices for Busy Mums
In our busy life as mums finding moments of peace and strength can feel like an elusive dream. However, ancient wisdom from Ayurveda and the practice of yoga offers powerful tools to help busy mums cultivate serenity in the chaos of everyday life.
As a busy mum myself I know how crazy life can be and it can easily take you away from your calm and peaceful self. We are so wrapped up in the daily life of our family and kids that we lose our sense of harmony and contentment instead our life is stressful, and we are constantly on high alert.
Wouldn’t it be nice to still go about our daily life and chores and still have an inner feeling of calm and resilience? I know that is my ideal and I’m pretty sure you like to have this too.
In this blog, we'll explore how Ayurvedic insights and yoga practices can empower mums to navigate their busy lives with grace and resilience whilst feeling grounded and balanced.
Understanding ayurveda for busy mums
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic health, emphasises the importance of balance and harmony in all aspects of life. For busy mums, this means recognising the unique needs of their bodies and minds and finding ways to nurture themselves amidst their hectic schedules. Ayurveda teaches us that self-care is not selfish but essential for maintaining overall well-being.
One key principle of Ayurveda is the concept of doshas, or mind-body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has its own set of characteristics, and understanding your dominant dosha can provide valuable insights into how to create balance in your life. For example, Vata-dominant mums may benefit from grounding practices to calm their restless minds, while Pitta-dominant mums may need cooling practices to soothe their fiery nature. Kapha-dominant will benefit from a more invigorating and stimulating practice whilst fostering harmony and balance to keep a steady energy.
I’m have a vata dominant dosha, so I know if I get tired and stressed, I tend to need a more grounding practice, more meditation and restorative to feel good. Through ayurveda I’ve learn how to read my body and listen to its signal to know what I need to function at the optimal level and feel the best. I’m not perfect and sometimes life is stressful and it’s avoidable for it not to affect you. However, if you are more in tune with your body you can address what you need and bounce back quicker.
How ayurveda can help you as a mum
The ayurvedic philosophy is based on some key principles that form the foundation of your health and wellbeing. Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to health and wellness, recognizing the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit. It emphasizes the importance of balance in all aspects of life, including diet, exercise, sleep, relationships, and spiritual practices, in order to achieve optimal health and well-being. A s a busy mum you can benefit from adopting some of these principles into your daily lifestyle to achieve better health. Here is how ayurveda can help you.
Balancing Daily Routine (Dinacharya) - importance of maintaining a balanced daily routine, or dinacharya, to support overall health and well-being. This includes practices such as waking up early, engaging in gentle exercise, eating nourishing meals at regular times, and getting adequate rest. By following a consistent daily routine, busy mums can enhance their energy levels, improve digestion, and reduce stress.
Healthy Eating and Nutrition: Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on the importance of proper nutrition for maintaining health and vitality. By following Ayurvedic dietary guidelines tailored to their dosha, busy mums can optimise their digestion, increase energy levels, and support overall well-being. This may involve incorporating a variety of whole foods, spices, and herbs into their diet, as well as practicing mindful eating habits.
Self-Care Practices: Ayurveda recognizes the importance of self-care as a means of nurturing both body and mind. Busy mums can benefit from incorporating self-care practices such as abhyanga (self-massage), warm oil treatments, and soothing herbal baths into their routine to promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and overall well-being.
Stress Management Techniques: Ayurveda offers a variety of stress-reducing techniques that can benefit busy mums. These may include practicing mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises (pranayama), progressive muscle relaxation, or aromatherapy with calming essential oils. Incorporating regular stress management techniques into their daily routine can help busy mums to reduce stress levels, promote relaxation, and enhance resilience to life's challenges.
Emotional support - Ayurveda acknowledges the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit and recognizes the impact of emotional well-being on physical health. Using mindfulness practices and reducing stress in your daily life is key to find emotional balance and promote greater harmony and resilience.
Ayurveda encourages mums to maintain a balanced lifestyle that supports their overall health and well-being. This includes prioritising adequate rest and sleep, engaging in regular exercise or movement that they enjoy, and fostering positive relationships with loved ones. By nurturing themselves and creating a supportive environment, mums can build strength and resilience to navigate the challenges of modern motherhood with grace and vitality.
Yoga practices for busy mums
Morning Sun Salutations: Starting the day with a few rounds of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) can energize the body and calm the mind. This dynamic sequence stretches and strengthens the entire body while syncing breath with movement, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
Mindful Breathing: Taking a few moments throughout the day to practice mindful breathing can be a game changer for busy mums. Simply find a comfortable seat, close your eyes, and bring your attention to your breath. Focus on inhaling deeply through the nose, feeling the breath fill your belly, and exhaling slowly through the nose or mouth. This practice helps to reduce stress, increase focus, and promote a sense of calm.
Restorative Yoga: Carving out time for restorative yoga practices can be especially beneficial for busy mums who are constantly juggling multiple tasks. Restorative poses, supported by props such as bolsters and blankets, allow the body to relax deeply, releasing tension and promoting deep rest. Even just 10-15 minutes of restorative yoga before bed can help mums unwind and prepare for a restful night's sleep.
Gratitude Practice: Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can transform the way busy mums experience their daily lives. Take a few moments each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for, whether it's a supportive partner, a loving child, or simply a moment of peace amidst the chaos. Practicing gratitude helps to shift the focus from what's lacking to what's abundant, fostering a sense of contentment and joy.
In the hustle and bustle of modern motherhood, it's easy for busy mums to neglect their own well-being in favour of caring for others. However, by incorporating Ayurvedic insights and yoga practices into your daily routines, you can cultivate strength, serenity, and resilience, enabling you to show up as the best versions of yourself for your family and loved ones. So, to all the busy mums out there: remember to prioritise self-care, even when it’s crazy busy, for it is through nurturing ourselves that we can truly thrive.
