Before getting pregnant you could say that I was more infatuated with the physical aspects of yoga and focusing on what new inversion/pose I could nail than anything. I loved how yoga allowed me to see progress in such short amounts of time. One day during my practice I'd still be an inch or so away from letting my toes tickle the hair on my head, and then BAM... just like that my toes would be resting on my head the very next day. Don't get me wrong it was all hard work, but I just loved that physical evidence of progress. It was addicting. In my first trimester of pregnancy I was still very much into the physical aspects, though I slowed down a bit. When my body did start growing my practice without a doubt began evolving. By the middle of my second trimester I was no longer concerned with the physical challenges anymore. Each day on my mat was my time to practice mindfulness, to focus on my breath and to connect with the life that was growing inside of me. I started to feel such a sense of fullness and peace at the end of each practice as opposed to a sense of "accomplishment." I started to crave that feeling of connectedness throughout my day, and that's when I realized that my practice had become whole. I was making progress, but it wasn't just physically. It was mentally, emotionally, mindfully. And truly I don't know that I would have ever improved in those areas had there not been a beautiful little heart beating inside of me. I am forever grateful that our little guy gave me the gift of not only himself, but the gift of deepening my practice on so many other levels.
Anyway, I continued to practice all throughout my pregnancy and actually up until the day of (though at that point my practice consisted mainly of staying in malasana/squat pose for 30 minutes). My plan was to have an unmedicated, vaginal delivery and return to regular practice as soon as I possibly could. Well, we all know how birth "plans"rarely ever actually go to plan, and long story short we ended up with an emergency cesarean. (If you DO want the long version, you can find our birth story here).
After weeks of bearing myself down to cough/sneeze, hugging walls just to walk down the stairs, and feeling as though my guts were going to fall out of my belly button at any moment...I knew that I was really going to have to start over in my practice. And boy was I right. It really, truly, was, starting over. Initially even the basics such as tree pose and down dog were difficult! It's amazing how much you do use your core in everyday life, and having had diastasis recti in addition to a cesarean made for a double challenge. Though I had to go back to the basics, I wasn't disappointed in the least! Mainly because the reason I had to go back was the best thing that ever happened to me; and also, because in the past the foundational poses came all too easily. So working on them and really paying attention to my posture, breath, form, and mindset was all so revitalizing!
(Photos taken by the amazing Vienna Glenn Photography)
Reflecting on my experiences, my birth, and my practice, I wouldn't change a single thing. Being pregnant allowed me to deepen my practice to where mindfulness and breath became more important than the physical aspects; and having gone through a cesarean allowed me to appreciate the power of foundational yoga poses. I didn't appreciate them the way I do now. The basics. The deepening of each simple pose. Though I am progressing and working on my inversions once again, I without a doubt get the most out of the simplest asanas.
For you yogi mommas who have gone through a similar experience, my best advice is to take it slow. Go with the flow, literally. Welcome the challenge of having to go back to the basics. Love and appreciate your bodies for what they've beautifully grown and endured.
xo
Kelsey
NOTE: I am in NO WAY a certified yoga instructor/teacher. Though I've had wonderful teachers along the way, a majority of my journey through yoga has been that of self-discovery and curiosity to learn independently. This post is simply based on my personal experiences with returning to a yoga practice post c-section. Know that each woman's healing experience is unique to them and may look entirely different than my own. Always play it safe and consult with a professional/physician before returning to physical activity post-babe. <3
After weeks of bearing myself down to cough/sneeze, hugging walls just to walk down the stairs, and feeling as though my guts were going to fall out of my belly button at any moment...I knew that I was really going to have to start over in my practice. And boy was I right. It really, truly, was, starting over. Initially even the basics such as tree pose and down dog were difficult! It's amazing how much you do use your core in everyday life, and having had diastasis recti in addition to a cesarean made for a double challenge. Though I had to go back to the basics, I wasn't disappointed in the least! Mainly because the reason I had to go back was the best thing that ever happened to me; and also, because in the past the foundational poses came all too easily. So working on them and really paying attention to my posture, breath, form, and mindset was all so revitalizing!
- With that said, I initially only did some light stretching postpartum in addition to some daily walking. After my 6 week check-up I was told that I was healing beautifully and given the go-ahead to slowly get back into a regular routine (with MY sense and comfort in mind). From about 6 weeks to 9 weeks I was simply sticking to the basics. Honestly, a couple of Sun Salutations, a little floor work (cat, cow, balasana/child's pose) and some standing poses made up my practice for the day.
- I returned to taking classes at a local studio at approximately 10 weeks postpartum...and WHOA, was that a challenge. The classes I attend are very much dedicated to the traditional Ashtanga yoga practice and typically run through most of the primary series. A lot of modifications were needed but I didn't mind a bit, the instructors were more than helpful.
- I initially avoided twisting and used blocks for a lot of the sitting asanas. I became comfortable with twisting and going without blocks at about 16 weeks PP. At that time and even to date (baby boy is 5 months old) I still have reservations when it comes to inversions or anything that requires me to bend backwards. I have irrational thoughts of my incision site bursting at the seams, but I'm learning that those fears are okay. It allows me to celebrate small victories like holding bridge a second longer each week or moving another inch away from the wall when doing inversions.
- Don't let your mind wonder and focus on all that you used to be able to do.There's no use in getting upset over things that don't go to "plan." We set such high expectations for ourselves but life has it's own flow in mind, we have to learn to just let go and to flow with it.
Reflecting on my experiences, my birth, and my practice, I wouldn't change a single thing. Being pregnant allowed me to deepen my practice to where mindfulness and breath became more important than the physical aspects; and having gone through a cesarean allowed me to appreciate the power of foundational yoga poses. I didn't appreciate them the way I do now. The basics. The deepening of each simple pose. Though I am progressing and working on my inversions once again, I without a doubt get the most out of the simplest asanas.
For you yogi mommas who have gone through a similar experience, my best advice is to take it slow. Go with the flow, literally. Welcome the challenge of having to go back to the basics. Love and appreciate your bodies for what they've beautifully grown and endured.
xo
Kelsey
NOTE: I am in NO WAY a certified yoga instructor/teacher. Though I've had wonderful teachers along the way, a majority of my journey through yoga has been that of self-discovery and curiosity to learn independently. This post is simply based on my personal experiences with returning to a yoga practice post c-section. Know that each woman's healing experience is unique to them and may look entirely different than my own. Always play it safe and consult with a professional/physician before returning to physical activity post-babe. <3
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