Happy Baby, Happy Mama

Happy Baby, Happy Mama

The other day my daughter asked me ‘Are you happy Mum? because when you’re sad it makes me sad and I can’t help it’. At the time I was scowling about something lame however she turned me around instantly when I saw her little concerned face. As a mother, our emotions are so tightly intertwined in our relationships with our children. It works both ways. When your baby is content and happy playing by themselves, you are happy. No intervention required. Just a beautiful simple moment observing your child absorbed in their own wonder and joy. So it was during a yoga class when I embodied this feeling for the first time myself in Happy Baby Pose. Otherwise referred to as Ananda Balasana. It is a popular pose for several reasons. Resembling a supine squat, as you lie on your back and grasp both feet with your hands, it stretches the spine, outer hips, inner groin, chest and shoulders as well as a great release for the lower back. It feels familiar and comfortable, and like most yoga postures, has a history worth diving into.

In the ancient Indian Sanskrit language, Mythological stories and the characters in them represent parts of ourselves. The mythology behind Ananda Balasana pose tells a story about a famous warrior King called Dasharatha who had three wives, but unfortunately no children. He desperately longed for an heir as did the whole kingdom. The people were sad. Things started to go wrong in the kingdom. Mother Earth was praying for someone to relieve her suffering as people began to steal her natural resources for personal gain.

Finally, Vishnu, the preserver, creates a divine birth to set things right. This birth is referred to as an ‘Avatar’ or incarnation. A golden vessel filled with payasam (milk pudding) emerged from the sacred fire, and a voice said: “Take this home and share it with your wives.” So he did and they all fell pregnant! Wow magic fertile dessert. Four children were produced, including twins, but it was ‘Rama’, the clear favourite son, who saved the earth and restored peace again in the town.

The meaning of this story suggests our divine potential is always waiting to be born in all of us. Our very own ‘Rama’ often lies dormant until it is realised, and then a happy baby is born! We become enlightened, or we become aware of our talents and are ready to share them with the world. How your Rama actually comes out, whether it’s the traditional way, through the sunroof or even after consuming milk pudding doesn’t really matter. The most important thing is that it shows up in a loud, proud and frikkin fabulous way!

For it to reveal itself, the idea is to be playful. Embrace your inner child. As grown ups we get so caught up in the responsibilties life dumps on our shoulders that we really need to lighten our load. Contaminated time eats away at our leisure. Leisure, meaning the miracle of now. The sense of being alive. Something that feeds and nourishes your soul. Creativity and inspiration come from immercing yourself in your own play time. Your very own fantasy. Kids are so good at feeding their sparkly rainbow unicorns. How do you feed yours? Perhaps it’s playing tennis, a good tickle session with your kids, watching crazy cats on Utube or bodysurfing waves in at the beach. Personally, I like to indulge in a good trash magazine while getting a pedicure. Or simply sitting and stretching is enough for me.

Starting each day in this pose recaptures the pure energy and joy a baby experiences when they lie on their back and discover their own feet and toes. It was the great Albert Einstein who said ‘Play is the highest form of research’ and ‘The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination’. So play away. As humans it’s what we are born to do.

Namaste, Tina.


About the Author

Hi I’m Tina. Over the past five years I have learnt a bit about what life is really like being a busy working mum. Women tend to give and give until there is nothing left. Restore a Yoga Mum’s mission is to help women relax, restore and replenish. Finding the time to slow down and do whatever it is that makes you feel like ‘you’ again is the best thing you can do for you and your family. That’s how I discovered my passion for yoga. Yoga has befriended me to cope with a chronic pain condition. Encouraged me to appreciate being a mum. And backed me up to be true to myself and my values.

Viparita Karani, or legs up the wall pose, is my favourite restorative pose that will help you be the Real Deal. This simple pose has been clinically tested and has proven endless benefits for healing and good health. Your best friend after a long day.

What I see all too often is too many women trying to ‘do it all’ and burning out in the process. Restore a Yoga Mum is about women supporting women. It’s a bit of self care and sipping tea while stretching out with your sisters. It’s Empowering professional modern mums to find space, slow down and be still.

From my heart to yours, Namaste

Website: http://www.restoreayogamum.com.au

Tags: