Erin Taylor's Blog

Moms (and dads!), you DO have time to use yoga. Ultrarunner Stephanie Howe has some inspiration for you including a behind the scenes look at how she uses yoga for real with her 2-year-old, Julien. Use yoga with them (and your kids) with Steph’s new toddler yoga video — interruptions welcome.

“Yoga is usually time to yourself and when you’re home with your kid that’s not really an option,” she says. “When I include him, it’s something we can do together. ‘Mama runs, mama stretches…’ It’s fun to see him learn from me and to discover ways to move and explore his own body. And with yoga, he’s moving in different planes, touching his toes, going upside down — it’s really dynamic.”

And the inevitable interruptions?

“The interruption part has, like motherhood, taught me there’s no place for perfection and that practice doesn’t have to be perfect. I find it really fulfilling not just to be doing yoga but to be connecting with him in this way.”

Steph’s pro yoga MAMA tips
Ready state.

I often have my mat out and open so that I don’t have to get any props and practice can be more spontaneous.

Do something.

Like running, I can’t always do everything I want but I can do something. Anything makes a difference.

Just start.

Just starting is the hardest part, just like getting out the door for a run. Just start. When you feel like stopping, stop. Take a walk break. (Legs up the wall break?!)

Learn from them.

He likes to take a deep breath in so that’s something we do a lot and then he’ll say, “That’s much better.”

REward everyone at the end

Have a little treat after, just like after we do a stroller run we often end at our favorite lakeside cafe for a coffee and we both know we get to have a treat. Giving yourself a little joy after gives you a little extra incentive.

USE YOGA WITH STEPH + JULIEN

Parent athletes! We’d love to hear how you use yoga with your littles. Share any and all parent pro tips in the comments!

The seasonal shift from summer to autumn often inspires a return to routine. But there is no back — only forward — so why return when you can reinvent? Personally, seasonal transition inspires me to re-examine my daily rhythms. Are they working for me? Are they supporting what is important and most needed at this time? It's also a great time to reassess how we use yoga to support ourselves and make adjustments as needed.

Whether you're sending your kids to school and rediscovering some you-time, or sharpening the focus on your marathon training, there is an A4Y video to support you. I invite you to use yoga everyday this month starting now by exploring the collections or searching by focus area (hamstrings, sleep, meditation...) to find new ways to use yoga to move into the new season with balance and ease.

Not sure where to start? Here are three of our most used videos. Whether you're using yoga to frame your day, get stronger, or just feel better in the time you do have...we got you!

USE MORNING WARM UP USE RUNNING EFFICIENCY BOOST USE HOW TO HIT RESET ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

I've been working on the ultimate core Reset — new resource to help you fully understand, activate, and strengthen your core.

I want to create the ultimate core resource *for you*. Learning your current core status will help me build a program that solves your specific imbalances. One that creates a real difference in how you feel and perform when you use it.

If you have a minutes please fill out the survey below or via the link here.

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Summer is for streaking! We mean a yoga streak of course. A4Y Summer Streak starts July 1. The challenge? Use yoga every day in July for at least 5 minutes! Feel the difference. That's it! And, hey, you wear (or don't wear) what you want to in your home studio.

New? Ready to resubscribe? Enter code SUMMERSTREAK to use Athletes for Yoga for just $5 for a full month! If you're brand new, that'll be $5 for 6 weeks including the free 14-day trial. Code expires Friday, July 8th 2022 at 11:59pm PT.

You in? Let's do this!

DOWNLOAD SUMMER STREAK PLAN + TRACKER

WELCOME YOURSELF HOME

Earlier this winter we launched our latest videos, Welcome Home. We created these daily practices to help you reflect on what has happened, look forward with enthusiasm, and settle into balance, right where you are. Whether you’re warming up or winding down — these videos are bookends to the liminal space of your day.

We invite you to use Welcome Home every day for one week with us starting February 21st and feel the difference. Sign up to receive prompts + inspiration throughout the week, as well as an interactive eBook and invitations to bonus sessions online!

Name * First Name Last Name Email * Thank you!

Happy Solstice!

The winter solstice is a homecoming, an invitation to shift our attention inward. To rekindle our internal fires. To review and reflect.

Use this short day to integrate what has happened and gain clarity about how you can grow from the events of the year — what to release and what to carry forward. Framing your day with the new Welcome Home videos is a great way to center yourself and optimize your reflection.

When you settle into this vantage point you can begin to plan with integrity how you want to move forward in the season and year ahead, and align your practices to support yourself in being in full command of yourself, while also being fluid to navigate whatever comes at you.

Solstice journal prompts

How are you inviting in this season?

What are you letting go of?

What are feeling are you optimizing for?

How will that feel like balance to you?

My definition of Balance based on how I want to feel in the season ahead:

Align yourself around this definition of balance and continue to let it evolve in the season ahead.

Athletes for Yoga Pros Chelsea Sodaro and Stephanie Howe are celebrating their first Mother's Day this Sunday. Ultra Runner Stephanie Howe welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Julien Axel, on December 11, 2020 and triathlete Chelsea Sodaro welcomed her daughter Skye on March 16, 2021.

We caught up with these two mamas to talk about their first months of motherhood. They both have so much insight, humor, and realness to share. We know you'll enjoy reading!

What's been the biggest surprise of motherhood so far?Stephanie Howe

How much I love this little human! He depends on me for everything. It's amazing to feel this kind of love.

Chelsea Sodaro

So many! Motherhood is so beautiful, but SO hard. I am more in love with my baby than I ever imagined possible, but this is also a freaking marathon! In my mind I envisioned these first weeks being very calm. I imagined that breastfeeding would be blissful bonding moments between me and my daughter. And while we have had some of those moments, we are also really in the thick of figuring each other out. Also, I somehow missed that feeding happens on an interval. I thought that you had two hours between feedings, but feedings actually start every two hours!

The Fourth Trimester is no joke. I've quickly learned that I need to respect my sleep-deprived body and protect our little family until until we're feeling settled and more confident in our new roles.

There’s nothing like the punch-drunk feeling sleep deprivation…any funny stories from these first weeks? Stephanie

One night, Julien was crying and needed to be fed for like the third time, I turned on the light to get ready to feed him and my partner was like "BABE, that light! Ugh, it's so aggressive!" As if I should just feed him in the dark.... we both started laughing.

I also found many things put in the wrong place, like keys in the fridge or my wallet put in a bathroom drawer. Facepalm.

One of the first days we had him home I was changing his diaper and he peed all over me. Welcome to being a boy mom.... lol.

Chelsea

Ha! My Mom was spending the night with me and Skye and all three of us somehow slept through a feeding. Knowing that I would be totally horrified, my Mom was hoping that I wouldn't look at the clock and wouldn't realized that it was 4am instead of 2am. I burst out laughing when I realized that she was trying to trick me to help me avoid my Mom guilt. As I'm writing this out it doesn't sound very funny, but in the moment I found it absolutely hilarious.

How has your mental and physical health been? How are you practicing real self-care?Stephanie

It's up and down, honestly. But I try to just take it in stride. Some days I feel a lot better than others, and I don't fight it. If I'm having a rough day, I try to just focus on the things I have control over or bring me a sense of happiness. Even though it can be a lot, I never get tired of caring for Julien. I love him so much! He can always make me smile, even when I'm feeling down. I've never experienced something so powerful as my little boy giggling and smiling at me. It melts my heart.

Physically I'm just being patient with myself. I am able to do some running and biking, but have cleared my plate of any expectations on what that should look like. I'm not trying to "feel like an athlete again" rather I'm just looking at this as part of me now and enjoying the movement I am able to do. Of course I'll race again, but I don't see myself as Stephanie the athlete vs Stephanie the mom. They are both me and will compliment each other well!

Chelsea

Physically I feel better than I expected. My initial recovery after birth went really smoothly and I was able to walk normally two days after giving birth. I was able to spin on my bike 11 days postpartum and start swimming around 3.5 weeks postpartum. I'm not "training" with any sort of intensity yet, but movement feels so good for my body and mind. I'm already realizing that taking a little time for myself each day makes me a better mom. I'm able to be more present and patient with Skye when I have the opportunity to spend some solo time outside.

My mental health has been more of challenge. I started to have some anxiety towards the end of my pregnancy, but that has evolved into full-blown postpartum anxiety since Skye was born. I am really lucky to have great support, but this has caught me off guard a bit. I've been listening to guided meditations while breastfeeding and doing some yoga while Skye is napping.

How is A4Y supporting you? Any favorite stretches or sessions?Stephanie

5-Minute Foot Reset and Hip Maintenance have been my jam lately. My hips and pelvis still feel a little off and the hip video feels supportive. Especially double pigeon. And I use the foot videos for my chronically rigid feet.

Chelsea

A4Y is a grounding force in my life right now. The videos are the perfect length to squeeze in while Skye is napping. I'm introducing some of the Postpartum Plan and I love the Mama Meditation.

We live in a culture that spends a lot of time talking about 'getting your body back' after birth. we've talked about how regressive and reductive that feels. How are you navigating this as you return to sport?Stephanie

100% agree with this. I try not to think about what body could previously do, but instead what it can do now. And all while still supporting a baby (literally still growing him). It's actually incredible if you stop to think about it, and makes me more amazed by my body right now. I mean, I grew a tiny human, birthed him, and am now still his sole source of nourishment. That is amazing! It helps keep things in perspective as I add in running and biking. Of course I want to return to feeling like an athlete, but I'm in no rush.

Chelsea

I have big goals for this upcoming season, so I certainly feel some pressure (intrinsic) to find fitness. That being said, I know that the process of returning to sport after pregnancy and birth is one that shouldn't be rushed. I know that I can't cut corners and expect to stay healthy. I want to have a long career and I know that I need to be smart in my return.

My body feels a bit foreign to me at the moment. I love my race-fit body and I loved my pregnant body. This postpartum body is new and different. I believe that my strongest, fastest self is ahead of me, but in order to access that I need to respect this sensitive place that I'm in.

I've never strived to "be as good as I once was" — I always want to get better and improve. My return to sport after pregnancy is another opportunity to reinvent myself — mind, body, and soul — into the best athlete I can possibly be.

Anything that's coming up for you on the journey?Stephanie

I have so much more gratitude for my mom for everything she did for me as a kid. You really don't realize it until it comes full circle. It's an amazing experience and I feel so fortunate to have a son!

Chelsea

I've never been more grateful for my own Mom than I am since becoming a parent myself. Mothers are the life-blood of the universe and I feel privileged to be Skye's Mama.

Be sure to follow both of these pros on Instagram, @chelseasodaro and @stephaniemariehowe!

And remember to use code A4YPOSTNATAL through May 9, 2021 to snag the A4Y Postnatal Plan 39-page eBook for free.

A4Y Postnatal Plan

Is there any hunger like new mom hunger? Especially, but not exclusively, if you’re breastfeeding. You just created or adopted a human and are now their fierce earthly protector. Talk about an endurance event!

We asked our resident Real Food expert (hello PhD in Nutrition & Exercise Science), Pro Ultra Runner, 2014 Western States 100 Champion, environmental activist, and new mom Stephanie Howe what has been fueling her.

⁠She created this hardy recipe in her early weeks of motherhood. It’s easy and loaded with healthy fats, slow burn carbs, even adaptogens!

Turmeric Coconut Oats⁠

NIGHT BEFORE: Soak 1 cup steel cut oats in ~1c water overnight.⁠

In the morning, add soaked oats, 1 cup milk of choice, 1 T coconut oil, and 1-2 tsp turmeric to a pot.

Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer.

Simmer for 15min or until oats are soft. ⁠

Top it off! Add coconut sugar (or brown sugar or maple syrup), chopped nuts, fruits, chia seeds…definitely add a scoop of Flax Meal if you’re BFing.

Enjoy. Breathe. You’re doing great.

Find all of Steph's recipes on here under Real Food with Steph!⁠ And be sure to follow Steph on Instagram, @stephaniemariehowe, and Twitter, @StefanaMarie

Use Athletes for Yoga like a pro! This week, Kendra Chambers shares a week from her A4Y Practice Plan.

Kendra is a professional track & field athlete specializing in the 800m. She's using A4Y to practice core strength, hip mobility, and to keep her foot imbalances in check.

Download a week of Kendra’s A4Y Practice Plan now and be sure to get your own fully customizable month-long A4Y Practice Plan. Remember if you’re not a subscriber, your first 14-days are always free.

DOWNLOAD KENDRA'S A4Y PRACTICE PLAN DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRACTICE PLAN

This weekend, March 20th, is Vernal Equinox — The first day of spring. At this time of equal day and night, light and dark, how will you practice Balance?

Use our 7 Day Balance Practice Plan starting on Monday March 22nd, or any day that feels right to you.

Remember, balance isn’t static or an end goal. It’s fluid, dynamic, and ever evolving — changing moment to moment, day to day. In sports and in life, Balance is a practice that optimizes everything and fuels the successful pursuit of goals.⁠