#pathsofmotherhood

[thesunflowerpages]

Day 2 of #pathsofmotherhood challenge is about #satya - truthfulness and honest communication. I feel very strongly about open and honest communication in relationships, especially in marriage. If you aren't able to talk and be open with one another it will cause dissention and distrust, which never leads down a good path. Being married for almost 2 years now has been an eye opener for me as a wife and mother. Not only do we have to honestly communicate about our relationship, but now we have to be honest about how we feel about how we're parenting. We have to be on the same page in how we raise our daughter, and sometimes we don't always see eye to eye. But that's the thing about #truthfulness there isn't any BS, compromises can be made, and arguments are easier to avoid. ✌💜 Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yoga #liveyourtruth #marriage #communication #parenting #momlife #momblogger #instadaily #flowergirl

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 9 #PathsOfMotherhood #enlightenment or #samadhi - means “putting together” or “integration”. I’m far from enlightened But, continue to follow the strange pull of what I love it has not led me astray (Rumi). #onthemat or meditation pillow I find my bliss The real work Happens off the mat. Yesterday I failed Then I forgave. I learn more than I teach. It’s a practice Every day. It’s has made me A better listener to myself And others More patient Compassionate + forgiving and I Hope a better Mama and Wife🌸 #happymothersday To all the participating Mommas & thank you @tarastiles @elenabrower @chintwins @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @yogabeyond @northcarolina_yogagirl #liveyouryoga #eightlimbsofyoga #onlylove #morethanposes

[thesunflowerpages]

Day 10, the final day of the #pathsofmotherhood challenge is all about Dhyana & Samadhi : #Meditation and Enlightenment. Meditation for me has always been to just be in #nature. I feel so #calm and #rooted when I'm outside and as a mother I get to share this with my daughter. I think it's important to know that you don't have to be shut off in a room to feel #enlightenment or inner peace. It's as simple as slowing down, and taking everything in. Enjoying each and every moment I have with my daughter. One thing in particular we take our time with is watering our plants. We each have a watering can and we go plant to plant taking care of them, smelling the flowers, or just enjoying how big we can see our plants have gotten. Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yoga #hibiscus #flower #getoutside #oitsideisfree #colorful #momblogger #lovemylife #nofilter

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 9 #PathsOfMotherhood Pranayama- control of the breath Breathwork is powerful, like magic it has the power to shift your physical and emotional state to relax, Energize, or release. Today was a toughy, I’m at the hospital twice a week so by the time I get to H, we are tired and hungry- I call it the witching hour because it takes a bit for us to gel and flow. Tonight was hard, I’m tired. we did our best. The breath helped, the movement too. Goodnight✌🏼 Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge in relation to the Eight Limbs of Yoga- now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼#liveyouryoga #morethanposes Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny @talia_sutra @elenabrower

[thesunflowerpages]

It's day 9 of the #pathsofmotherhood challenge which is all about #pranyama : control of the breath. Let's talk about how much this helped throughout my pregnancy and labor. By the #thirdtrimester I was huge, I was all belly! Shortness of breath was real because my tiny self could hardly walk anymore. I definitely couldn't see my feet anymore! There were a lot of times I had to stop and just focus on my breathing. Then during labor breathing definitely helped. 😜 I'm honestly glad I knew a few different breathing techniques because you never know which one is going to work for you until you're actually having your baby!! Now I use it to calm myself when my toddler and puppy are both being crazy and getting into trouble. I also try to teach control with my daughter but so far she's not into learning it. That's ok we've got plenty of time to practice! ✌💜 Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yoga #babybump #pregnancy #throwback #maternityshoot #momblogger #momlife #labor #breathe #lovemylife

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 8 #PathsOfMotherhood Yoga Challenge #yamasandniyamas #asana Or Postures——————- According to Deborah Adele’sYamas and Niyamas- Asana translates to “right living in your body”💁🏻‍♀️ Like whoa... so it’s not all twisted crazy poses, it’s honoring where you are physically and moving within that space. It’s not the handstand, headstand, or split or all of those other celebrated poses that contort unless it feels like the right use of the body, muscles, and limbs- not forced. I almost never do a headstand even though it comes easy, because I know it compresses the cervical spine... this was a second for a photo. I aim to be realistic here on IG my poses are not perfect, my hair may not be done, I don’t want to spend a good deal of time editing out anything + aim to keep it all real. • Alignment is not a major focus in my class, but protecting joints and moving in agreement with yourself is. Our bodies are all different there isnt one way we should all be moving. I love the exploration of movement and the postures. I used to have physical pose goals- I let them go. If ya scroll, the exploration is here at the end when I realized a forearm/Tri pod arm Balance wasn’t gonna work- so I honored that. The body speaks. ——————- In motherhood🤦🏻‍♀️my belly was fine the first time, second time it’s all jacked! I’m starting to learn from posturing that I have an anterior pelvic tilt from holding my son on my hip- like forever, his favorite words were, hold me😍In addition to the sheer size of him, your organs run for the hills as they grow! I am just starting to gain this pelvic floor awareness and connection, it’s been 7 years. I love the unfolding that happens physically when you bring awareness to the way you feel with just a shift or a tilt. The medicine is all@right there in those releases, it doesn’t need to be complicated, forced, or strained😉 #loveyourbody 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge in relation to the Eight Limbs of Yoga- now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼#liveyouryoga #morethanposes Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @@ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny (at Yoga House and Wellness Center at Royal Fitness)

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 7 #PathsofMotherhood yoga challenge Ishvara Pranidhana | Surrender 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Surrender has had a common theme throughout my life before and after the kiddos- there’s the body image /eating disorder issues of my 20’s, the need to be perfect was unrelenting until I surrendered for the very first time- a new unfolding occurred. I’ve worked too much, shopped too much, drank too much, loved too much… I tried and tried to live up to unrealistic standards only I could set for myself. I surrendered and surrendered some more- and more and more learning and unfolding occurred. As the rigidity loosened, I became lighter and more fluid in everyday life- and that was freaking hard!!! Now it’s a common everyday practice, nothing is fixed or permanent: our bodies, our relationships, our bank accounts, our stuff… so these things no longer define me, when I had the $, the clothes, the titles/credentials- I wasn’t full. I had to understand where the motivations were and why. • I have nothing to prove, I only hope to share the magic inside and inspire someone who may need it. _______________ With the Kiddos it’s a whole other thing I essentially surrender showers, nights out, or a clean house, I do my best, but I can say that today EVERYONE is happy- that could change tomorrow or next week, but I am happy for the moments of today, if it changes I hope we’ll evolve with the change. If there is one certainty I have learned it’s trust and surrender and surrender some more- the sooner I learned I had no control, freedom emerged and I gained my life. It is a constant relearning every damn day. #trustandsurrender #surrendersomemore #surrender 📷 @agalliganphotography 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge in relation to the Eight Limbs of Yoga- now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼#liveyouryoga #morethanposes Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny @talia_sutra @elenabrower (at Yoga House and Wellness Center at Royal Fitness)

[thesunflowerpages]

Day 6 of the #pathsofmotherhood challenge theme is Svadhyaya : self reflection, ones own reading, the in-depth study of ones soul. It's about understanding our truest self. I relate to this theme the most so far. I spend a lot of my free time thinking about where my head is at, and if I was patient enough with my family that day. I tend to self reflect a lot and go over ways I can change things I wasn't happy with. Before I became a mom I would sit down and write down my feelings. #Writing has always been my way of expressing my inner self and reflecting on my thoughts and feelings. Just getting time to myself these days is hard to come by, so just sitting in silence for a few minutes does wonders for my soul! Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yoga #truestself #selfie #loveyourself #momlife #parentlife #momblogger #innerpeace #smile

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 6 #eightlimbsofyoga Svadhyaya or Self Study #pathsofmotherhood Yoga Challenge————- Svadhyaya is by far the reason yoga spoke volumes to me when I started. Self study is so powerful and important for us to understand in order to attempt at being our authentic selves, understanding our true purpose, maybe even living our best lives. Here is self study in movement, but meditation and solitude is where I feel my truth🙏🏼 ——————— I am 44years old, had 2 kids 18 years apart, there has been so much reflection, tears, hardship, and joy- all made possible through self study, compassion, acceptance, and understanding. • Finding body acceptance and starting child rearing over after 18 years was challenging. I am not one to go through the motions I want to feel it all and understand it, tap into creating a life that I not only want, but feel and ultimately live and it’s here❤️ #notjustposes #youonlygetoneshot —————————— Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge in relation to the Eight Limbs of Yoga- now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼#liveyouryoga #morethanposes Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny @talia_sutra @elenabrower (at Yoga House and Wellness Center at Royal Fitness)

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 6 #eightlimbsofyoga Svadhyaya or Self Study #pathsofmotherhood Yoga Challenge————- Svadhyaya is by far the reason yoga spoke volumes to me when I started. Self study is so powerful and important for us to understand in order to attempt at being our authentic selves, understanding our true purpose, maybe even living our best lives. Here is self study in movement, but meditation and solitude is where I feel my truth🙏🏼 ——————— I am 44years old, had 2 kids 18 years apart, there has been so much reflection, tears, hardship, and joy- all made possible through self study, compassion, acceptance, and understanding. • Finding body acceptance and starting child rearing over after 18 years was challenging. I am not one to go through the motions I want feel it all and understand it, tap into creating a life that I not only want, but feel and ultimately live and it’s here❤️ #notjustposes #youonlygetoneshot —————————— Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge in relation to the Eight Limbs of Yoga- now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼#liveyouryoga #morethanposes Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny @talia_sutra @elenabrower (at Yoga House and Wellness Center at Royal Fitness)

[thesunflowerpages]

Day 3 of the #pathsofmotherhood challenge deals with #Aparigraha : non-possessiveness or non-greed, our attachment to things or emotions. With an almost 2 yr old I can see that we're going to have to start dealing with learning how to share soon. I'm also worried about my daughter becoming too attached to material objects, but I think once we're faced with that challenge as she gets older we'll be able to navigate that territory better. I myself HATE having too much stuff. I'm constantly getting rid of things that aren't necessary or we don't use anymore. I get extremely anxious when our house is cluttered with objects! I do however struggle with my emotions. I am a very emotional person so when I feel things, I feel them intensely. Something I've been working on for a few months now is over coming jealousy when a new author gets a book deal. As a writer my dream is to be a published author, and as a mother I don't have much time to write. So when I see people getting book deals on social media it can make me feel jelaous and like it's never going to happen for me. But mind over matter y'all! I have instead been refocusing my energy when these feelings surface, sending positive thoughts towards the person. And quite honestly I hardley get jealous anymore, and instead find myself overjoyed for them. That's how I want people to feel towards me one day, so that's how I want to feel for them. We gotta lift each other up!! ✌💜 Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yoga #overcome #refocus #postivevibes #momlife #momblogger #instadaily #beachdays #getoutside #letthembelittle #kidsunplugged

[thesunflowerpages]

Yoday is day 8 of the #pathsofmotherhood challenge and it's all about the #Asana or physical practice. The physical practice is what got me into yoga. I've had lower back pain since I fell from bars and landed on my back really hard in elementary school. So for me I wanted to deepen my stretches and see what yoga was all about. It became so much more than a way for me to stretch and heal my body. It helps me to #relax, and to focus better on the day ahead. My practice has also changed drastically from #pregnancy to postpartum. My balance was horrible, and the physical change to my body was shocking at first. Things I could do before were no longer possible, so I had to let go and be ok with beginning again. I've actually had a lot of fun with "starting over." I did goat yoga with the cutest goats ever while getting to know my friend @idontevenknowwhyi better, and I'm hoping to start aerial yoga soon. My little even knows some poses and gets on the mat with me. Which is by far the greatest part of this new journey. ✌💜 Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yogawithgoats #cutenessoverload #postpartum #beginagain #mindovermatter #getoutside #outsideisfree #loveyourself #momblogger #momlife #instadaily #youcandoit

[thesunflowerpages]

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Day 5 of the #pathsofmotherhood challenge focuses on #Tapas - the inner fire which ignites the practice. Becoming a mother has changed the way I not only look at my yoga practice, but how I look at my whole day in general. Going with the flow has become a whole new meaning to what it used to be. Some days just getting a few yoga stretches in before we head to work is all my practice involves. Other days we #exercise with my mom before starting work because we know we need to stop and take the time out for ourselves. The fire is always there, but my passion has shifted more towards sharing my love of yoga and being healthy with my daughter. I try my best to make it fun, and so far I think she's into it. I think it's also rewarding for her to see grandma doing it to, plus she thinks it's fun climbing all over both of us. 😂 Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #yoga #letthembelittle #kidsunplugged #toddler #downwarddog #livehealthy #teachthemyoung #miniyogi #momlife #grandmalife

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 5 #PathsOfMotherhood Yoga Challenge #eightlimbsofyoga Tapas or Self Discipline———- ************************************Practice that ignites our inner fire, brings out our inner radiance, and makes us vibrant and energetic is tapas. ~ Pandora Rajmani Tigunait • On the Mat this happens when the breath propels the movements and the unfolding + lengthening happens with sweet exhales. It doesn’t need to be forced or fast just the whole self connected from the inside out, beginning with the softening➡️breath➡️opening➡️ ➡️expanding the whole self➡️ get those energetic pathways flowing this way➡️ then comes the glow⬆️from the inside out. ———————- With the kiddos, this comes from the self discipline of getting past my needs or to do list and connecting through actively listening to them, getting to really know them, nurture their spirit, and finding that heart to heart connection that lights us up- it comes through our eyes, translates to a smile, gives us inner glow and forever connection✨ #tapas #selfdiscipline ————— Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge in relation to the Eight Limbs of Yoga- now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼#liveyouryoga #morethanposes Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny @talia_sutra @elenabrower

[breathepeaceandcalm]

Day 3 #pathsofmotherhood challenge- Aparigraha or Non Possesiveness/Non Attachment • This handsome guy made me a Mama at 19 years old❤️ He is 25 years old now- he is empathic,strong, athletic, and sensitive+ I love him deeply. • When he came into the world I understood Spirit and experience beyond the 5 senses for the first time in an instant, I was lifted and in love. My world opened up wide. • Non Possesiveness takes on so many forms when I consider our relationship and connection. I made the choice to be a single mama shortly after he came into our lives- me and this one, well we grew up together. I am not sure who I’d be without him in a very deep way and naturally we developed a co dependency in a healthy, but also unhealthy way. Attachment took a whole new meaning for this boy gave me purpose and life before I knew who I was. I think it’s understandable to let the kids do their thing when they are younger and still at home, because we still have that inherent control. • The true test of Detachment was when this kiddo became a man and I still judged and tried to control his decisions. I learned his life is not mine to live, he has to fail, make mistakes and I need to be there as a consultant or guide, but I do not manage him- that is not my place and you guys that was hard! • I realized how selfish I was when I was controlling his decisions because his success depicted how successful I was at single parenting, this does his path a great disservice. It took me a good deal of reflection and awareness to understand my need to control and where it came from and you guys that was hard! I have come to learn I do not possess him, he needs to fly- and when he needs Me or his StepDad, we’ll be here with all the love, listening and support he needs❤️ • #thisisshawn @shawn_dalbey #abigoneandalittleone #eightlimbsofyoga #aparigraha #love #singlemomstrong #singlemomsrock #leanin *********************************** Mamas join in on the #PathsOfMotherhood Challenge now until Mother’s Day share, support and lift each other 👆🏼 Hosted by: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @riva_g_ @chintwins @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @yogawithbriohny @talia_sutra @elenabrower

[thesunflowerpages]

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Day 1 of #pathsofmotherhood challenge theme is Ahimsa - non violence. I believe that non violence begins within ourselves, truly loving every flaw, insecurity, and imperfection. This resonates with me so much more that I'm a mom. I want my daughter to embrace and love everything about herself. Not tear herself apart because the world tells her she needs to be a certain way. The only way she'll learn this is from watching how I talk about myself and see myself. Let's all strive to be less violent towards ourselves, instead let's love and embrace our own uniqueness. ✌💜 Hosts: @tarastiles @yogabeyond @yogawithbriohny @riva_g_ @talia_sutra @ashleygalvinyoga @northcarolina_yogagirl @laurasykora @chintwins @elenabrower Sponsors: @aloyoga @sefteliving @doterra @official_senhoa @stralayoga @elenabrower #yogachallenge #ahimsa #instayoga #yoga #nonviolence #loveyourself #embrace #love #raisestronggirls #momlife #momblogger #instadaily #getoutside #outsideisfree