Four years ago, when I went back to work after having my first baby, it didn’t take me long to find it was hard to make time for myself. At that point, I really didn’t want it. In every spare minute after work, I wanted to snuggle my baby, then play with my toddler, then run around with my pre-schooler (at the same time introducing baby #2). All of a sudden I looked up and realized I was EXHAUSTED!

I was so far beyond stressed out that I was having health problems. I had an ache in my back that began during pregnancy #2 that hung around for more than a year after the baby was born. The doc, finding no skeletal injury, sent me to physical therapy. My posture had become so bad and my core muscles so weak, I was continuously re-injuring my tender back. Not wanting to have to juggle PT appointments for weeks on end, I asked my therapist, “What can I do to get better?”

“Well,” she said, “there’s always yoga.”

It’s been a year since I started taking yoga, and I will honestly tell you I love it.

WebMD lists the benefits of yoga:

• It improves flexibility, strength and posture
• It increases lung capacity (which stimulates the relaxation response)
• Lowers stress and blood pressure
• It could possibly diminish the effects of depression*

And besides, it gives me an hour and a half by myself every week.

If you’re looking for a low-impact, easy to start workout (resolutions, anyone?) I would highly recommend you try it. Many studios offer introductory sessions for little to no cost before signing a contract.

*Apparently researchers are exploring this, as well as a potential therapy for those with OCD.

Colleen blogs about her life as a working Momma and her battles with two small boys at Mommy Always Wins.