A recent prenatal yoga class began as it usually does, with a little social time followed by what we call our “Mama Chat”. We spend just a few minutes sharing our thoughts on the week’s topic. We get to know each other a bit better, hear some fresh ideas, bond over shared experiences, and usually have a few laughs too.
Conversation this week turned to the strength + softness of mothers. Women shared so many beautiful examples, but just to share a few:
“Right now I maybe can’t do some things the way I used to, but I’m learning it’s a strength to ask for help.”
“I am finding ways to do the things that are good for me, even if it’s harder now.”
“I CAN do it all, but I have to do it differently.”
GOOSEBUMPS. Literal goosebumps all the way up my arms, neck, and landing on my cheeks.
As the women continued to share I just kept thinking of all the ways that pregnancy is a training ground for motherhood, teaching adaptability, grace, intuition, resilience, problem-solving, and the list goes on and on. And the growth doesn’t stop there - birth takes us to the limits of our strength and then pushes us just past it, causing us to grow. The process of growing another human being inside your body, then birthing that human being out of your body and into the world is not a mistake. The process is purposeful. It gives us superpowers. Basically, moms are superheroes.
~Lacy Knipper, Birth Educator, Prenatal Yoga Instructor