What It Means to “Mother Yourself”

Being a mother in the yoga tradition calls the union of Shiva (masculine structure & stillness) and Shakti (feminine flow & life force energy). To mother yourself is to:

• Create Loving Structure

  Build daily rhythms- wake up rituals, mealtimes, digital detox windows - that honor your body's needs for stability and rest.

• Nourish Your Whole Being

  Choose food, movement and lifestyle practices that feed you on every level: physical vitality, emotional resilience and spiritual expandability.

• Set Sacred Boundaries

  Learn to say no to what drains you so you can say yes to to what lights you up- just as you protect nap time or play dates for your children.

Concrete Practices & Photo Inspirations

Below are real‑life examples from my own journey—feel free to adapt them to your rhythm.

1. Morning Somatic Wake‑Up

Each day in the morning, I spend 5–10 minutes in a slow, somatic spine‑awakening flow. I place one hand on my belly breathing deeply allowing my belly to expand on each inhalation and gently contract on the exhalation. I place the second hand on my heart to fill the aliveness within me. This mini‑practice resets my nervous system, refilling my cup so I don’t run on empty.

2. Devotional Meal for One

Today, I prepared a nourishing dish for myself: lightly‑roasted asparagus, quinoa, cherry tomatoes with a sprinkle of toasted pistachios and fresh herbs (coriander and dill). Cooking only for myself transformed into a sacred offering—each chop and simmer an act of devotion to my own well‑being.

3. Nurturing Your Inner Child

I keep a photo of myself at age seven on my altar as a daily reminder: before I can mother my children, I must tend to my own inner child. When self‑doubt arises, I whisper to her the words I needed then: “You are safe. You are loved. You are enough.”

Ready to Be Your Own Mother?

Remember: you are the most important caregiver in your life. When you mother yourself with love, you expand your capacity to mother others from a place of abundance, not depletion. Here’s to a May filled with self‑devotion, embodied presence, and the sweetest blossoming of your Shakti.

Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day by nurturing the most important relationship you’ll ever have: the one with yourself. Let me know in the comments how you start prioritizing yourself today :-)