A few months ago a Yoga teacher asked me if I could make some space in the house that’s exclusive to my practice.
I fidgeted. “Not really.” My living room Yoga studio, (now the the kids play room) has always been my practice space.
“At least for your Pranayama practice.”
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We have a spare room; the door doesn’t fit correctly. When it’s shut, it takes pulling the door up in its frame with a huff, and a strong push to get it to open. I slipped into that room for my Pranayama practice this morning, as I’ve been doing of late.
“Mama, mama,” bang, bang, push and shove, “Mama, waaah.” I finish my round.
“I’m doing my Pranayama Leila. I’ll be out in a few minutes ok?”
A few minutes later. “Leila mama, waaaah” Bang. Push. Shove.
A little later. Push, push, push.
Open.
She wraps her arms around my neck, and hangs on. “Leila mama, TV. La la la la la la.” (Interpretation: Leila’s mama, I want to watch The Smurfs on the TV next to your head. Right now.)
I continue with my practice. She insists. I sit her in my lap, cross legged, and tell her to do some Pranayama. We buzz like bees together for a few seconds. She jumps up and leans into me. “TV mama, TV, aaaaah.”
I don’t open my eyes, don’t budge. “Mama, mama, aaaaaah.” Fake cry.
I’m proud of myself for not getting frustrated.
“TV, mama.” She slows down her movements, lingers for a minute or two, then whispers “bye,” and walks out of the room.
I’m glad I didn’t just put on her DVD and continue in another room.
Eyes still closed, I sit silently for a few minutes.
I put on her DVD and lie down on the bed. She lies next to me. Still, for a minute.
Natasha Devalia 
When my girls were litte, I couldn’t even ‘escape’ into the bathroom by myself. Familiar to every parent out there, right? Now that they are grown and gone, it’s my dog that has taken on the role of my shadow.
As I lie on the floor to stretch or (ironically) go into downward dog…guess who is stretching out underneath me?
Gettting frustrated would be the complete opposite of what we search for in such practices. Interesting… all that we can learn from the poses we put our bodies (and minds) through. 😀
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I can’t really escape into the bathroom by myself either. And I thought I was a weird mum!
I can only do my yoga practice when I have help around. Would have loved a photo of your down dog!
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I’M proud of you for not getting frustrated! I have yet to have any semblance of successful yoga practice with my kids presence in any of the years since I’ve been old enough to move. Though, now that I’m getting so much busier, I wonder if I need to integrate it into our day. Food for thought, as always, Natasha. Thank you!
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Thanks Desi!
I suppose it might? be easier with slightly older kids. I can only manage this when I have help around. That same afternoon, I was ready to do an asana session, standing at the top of the mat, when Rahul woke up, grumpy from a nap that was much too short. That was the end of the practice!
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