Mom life presents many enigmas. One of them is how much we move our bodies chasing after kids without really feeling like we are getting good exercise. With that in mind, many women have turned to yoga.
Consider this quote:
“Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.” – Ymber Delecto
Isn’t this what many of us want? We crave invigoration, relaxation, freedom, routine, confidence, control, and energy. If yoga can give us, that, it’s worth a try, right?
Yoga can be part of a self-care routine, offering a chance to unwind, relax, and meditate. It can also be great exercise, providing perfect opportunities to stretch different muscles while also adding in light cardio work and calisthenics, depending on how you like to manage your flow.
To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of short yoga videos from a number of content creators that will likely work with your busy mom life. They work out different muscles and move at different speeds, but we are confident you’ll find a video that will get you moving.
Yoga Videos for Moms
Check out this list of short yoga videos. Most are under 15 minutes. All videos can be found on YouTube for free.
Mommy and Baby Yoga: This video shows a workout that you can do with your baby, meaning you and your little one will get some great exercise! It’s light and easy, and it only takes about 13 minutes. The creator, Janine the Alchemist, walks through a couple of sitting and standing poses as well as breathing exercises.
Yoga for neck, shoulders and upper back 15 min: This yoga flow works like a miracle for shoulder, neck, and upper back pain! In 15 minutes you can feel so much more mobile. Yogiinmelbourne, the creator, walks through a variety of simple stretches that can all be done while sitting. It also helps that her voice is calm and soothing.
First Trimester Fitness: Dr. Bri’s Vibrant Pelvic Health offers a really simple 14-minute video that can be done while pregnant. This video comes with good information about pregnancy and muscle health. These exercises are easy to do even if you don’t have a yoga mat or other fancy equipment. For other prenatal yoga flows, check out “Pregnancy Stretching Routine | Best Stretches to Relieve Pregnancy Symptoms!” from Haley Barry and “Pregnancy Yoga: Beginner Techniques | Episode 1 | Tonic” from Tonic.
12-Minute Morning Bed Yoga: This is a fun one for all of us sleepy mamas! This yoga flow can be done in bed! While advertised as a morning flow, it’s also nice to do before bed. In this 12-minute video, Jess Yoga walks through breathing, body twists, leg stretches, and more. For other bed yoga video, check out “10 Minute Gentle Yoga in Bed” from Candace Cabrera Tavino.
Postpartum Yoga | Mama Love Yoga Series – Ep.2: Restorative & Gentle| Yoga with Yana: Creator Yoga with Yana has a whole postpartum series you can follow if you’ve recently given birth. It’s a gentle, comforting, easy flow – there’s no need to rush, especially when you are still healing! Yana walks through breathing exercises, as well as standing and sitting stretches.
Gentle Stretch Yoga for Anxiety and Chronic Fatigue: This is such a relaxing video. If you are in pain, or you are ill, or for any reason you just want to take it slow while also getting in some stretching, this is what you need. Creator MaliaYoga is so sweet and moves through this flow slowly and carefully.
More Than Exercise
As you practice yoga – or other forms of exercise, think about this:
“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.” – Aadil Palkhivala
Remember that fitness, wellness, health, self-care, and mindfulness should all worked together to make your mind, body, and soul feel better. Each step you take is an investment in yourself. So don’t get discouraged or overwhelmed – just take a little extra care of yourself.