CREATING YOGA In Your FAMILY

Photo by OPPO Find X5 Pro on Unsplash

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No matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.
- Sophocles

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Those of you who know me (or have just been avid readers of our blog), know that this year was very special for my family, as we welcomed the birth of my son this spring.  So I’ve had a lot of time to think about what it means to create a yogic family and home environment.

This applies to us all, whether or not we have children and whether our family is biological or chosen.  The way we set up our family and home environment has a profound impact on our sense of security and well-being.  In a way, setting up a yoga family and a yoga home, nurtures our own inner child as well.

If you’ve ever attended a class at our studio before, you know how precisely we care for the space.  It is tidy and uncluttered (okay, at least most of the time…)  We aim to create an environment that is conducive to the inner work that yoga does: creating security, peace, and a space for contemplation.

In setting our physical space up this way, it is our goal to attract and retain people who have similar values.  In that way, we collect a community that can support one another and lift each other up.  It is no surprise that some of our closest friendships have developed in this space.

None of us are able to be at a yoga studio all the time.  In fact, this year I was unable to be at the studio as much as I am used to, being so tied up in my new familial obligations and joys.  So it makes sense that we consciously curate a space at our home that works in tandem with our time spent in reprieve at our hOMe away from home.

Here are some ways I have been working to create the same stability and quiet I find at Five Keys Yoga, when I am away.

• Create an Altar at Home - I’ve often mentioned creating a home altar as an effective way to bring yoga into our homes.  You can create one altar or many.  You might even have a collective altar for your family (family photos and special treasures over the fireplace, for instance) and separate altars for each of your family members.  This need not be limited to your immediate family.  Some of my favorite experiences with roommates have been when we’ve managed to find a place for collective sacredness in our space, as well as separate spaces as individuals.  These altars can serve as reminders your values.
• Set Aside Some Time for Quiet Mindfulness - Living with others, we can fall into habits.  If we’re together, we’re talking.  If we’re apart, we’re disconnected - wrapped up in Instagram or the television.  Is there a way to create space to be together without talking?  That might be sharing the living room, while listening to some relaxing music.  Or maybe your family has a habit of saying grace before dinner.  Maybe meditation is a practice you can do together?  I love putting on some peaceful music while bathing my son, setting distractions aside, and enjoying his experience together with him, however messy it may be.
• Use the Yamas and the Niyamas - It is really easy to let our guard down at home and around our family.  In many ways, that is the beauty of home.  We are free to be exactly who we are, no filter needed.  Sometimes though, that manifests as carelessness with those we hold most dear.  I know I have struggled with this from time to time.  However, we act with integrity when we commit to treating those that “will love us still” in accordance with our values.  Sometimes that means stepping away for a while to create the space needed to act authentically and compassionately.
• Do Yoga Together! - Of course, doing yoga together is the simplest way to bring yoga into your family and home life.  That might mean taking a family yoga class together.  Or attending a class with your friend and talking about your experience afterward over coffee.  Or maybe you have a yoga routine you can practice at home together.  I love doing yoga with my son.  It’s exciting to watch his understanding and abilities develop through his regular practice.  Like so many children, his favorite part is chanting.

It all starts at home.  The more we integrate the tools yoga develops into our daily lives, the more we will be rewarded.  Whatever ways you want to bring yoga into your family and your home, is just fine.  Let’s start with ourselves and let that goodness radiate outward.

I wish you a wonderful end to your year and start to the new year.  Next year, I will be delving into a very exciting, multi-year project on this blog.  Stay tuned for what’s coming up next!