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The Yoga of Parenting: Ten Yoga-Based Practices to Help You Stay Grounded, Connect with Your Kids, and Be Kind to Yourself
2023 National Parenting Product Award Winner
Bring the wisdom of yoga into your parenting journey.
Mom and yoga teacher Sarah Ezrin offers 34 practices to find more presence, patience, and acceptance—with your child and with yourself.
“I can say without a doubt that the most advanced yoga I’ve ever done is raising a child,” writes Sarah Ezrin. While many people think of yoga as poses on a mat, The Yoga of Parenting supports people in bringing the spiritual principles of yoga into their lives—particularly their families. Ezrin, a longtime yoga teacher, supports readers and practitioners in slowing down, becoming present with our children and ourselves, and acting with more compassion.
Each chapter highlights a yogic posture and theme and explores how it relates to parenting, including presence, boundaries, balance, and nonattachment. Chapters include prompts such as intention setting, breathwork, and journaling. Ezrin also features the stories and insights of a wide range of yoga practitioner parents whose experiences include single parenting, grandparenting, and passing on intergenerational yoga traditions. In addition to the opening posture, each chapter
Practicing yoga can help us become kinder to ourselves, more aware of our thoughts and actions, and more present in our lives. What more important sphere to want to become kinder, more aware, and more present than with our families?
Bring the wisdom of yoga into your parenting journey.
Mom and yoga teacher Sarah Ezrin offers 34 practices to find more presence, patience, and acceptance—with your child and with yourself.
“I can say without a doubt that the most advanced yoga I’ve ever done is raising a child,” writes Sarah Ezrin. While many people think of yoga as poses on a mat, The Yoga of Parenting supports people in bringing the spiritual principles of yoga into their lives—particularly their families. Ezrin, a longtime yoga teacher, supports readers and practitioners in slowing down, becoming present with our children and ourselves, and acting with more compassion.
Each chapter highlights a yogic posture and theme and explores how it relates to parenting, including presence, boundaries, balance, and nonattachment. Chapters include prompts such as intention setting, breathwork, and journaling. Ezrin also features the stories and insights of a wide range of yoga practitioner parents whose experiences include single parenting, grandparenting, and passing on intergenerational yoga traditions. In addition to the opening posture, each chapter
Practicing yoga can help us become kinder to ourselves, more aware of our thoughts and actions, and more present in our lives. What more important sphere to want to become kinder, more aware, and more present than with our families?
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
31 people are currently reading
2848 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 30, 2023
This book gives us permission to know that we are not perfect, and that our time is valuable as well. It also helps us to guide our children a little differently than perhaps, we were guided. I only wish I had something like this when I was a new mom learning to navigate the wonderful world of parenthood. I am gifting this book to my children who are entering into the life of parenthood. I am sure it will be a resource when they find themselves in the uncomfortableness parenthood will undoubtedly bring. Sarah Ezrin is a thought leader around all things yoga and is skilled in the knowledge around physical practice. I highly recommend.
September 17, 2023
The book is a heartfelt journey that provides guidance, wisdom, and support for parents with children of all ages. A world-renowned yoga educator, the author reveals how parenting can be a path of self-discovery and growth. She emphasizes the importance of slowing down and living in the moment amidst the chaos of everyday life. She encourages parents to prioritize self-care, recognizing that caring for themselves enables them to be more present for their children. Her approach is not about perfection but finding your intuition and listening to your inner needs as a parent. In the book, the author shares her journey into motherhood and how her background growing up in a family affected by addiction has deeply influenced her parenting approach. She highlights the importance of letting go and allowing children to find their path while providing love, support, and boundaries. She shares insights from her own life, including the challenges of balancing a writing career with pregnancy and early motherhood. She acknowledges that parenthood is a constantly evolving journey marked by moments of connection and disconnection.
The book can serve as a lifeline for overwhelmed parents. The author beautifully expressed the importance of connecting with our children. The book challenges the notion of perfection in parenting and offers a refreshing perspective on the ever-changing and complex world of raising children.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
The book can serve as a lifeline for overwhelmed parents. The author beautifully expressed the importance of connecting with our children. The book challenges the notion of perfection in parenting and offers a refreshing perspective on the ever-changing and complex world of raising children.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
April 30, 2023
The Yoga of Parenting was such a fascinating and uplifting read! It really forced me to take a second to breathe and to look inside myself at some of the pieces I’m struggling with around parenting, and learning to let go. I’m not a perfect parent, but no parent is. Perfect isn’t possible, and perfection in parenting is an in achievable and unrealistic goal. It took me a while to get through because it’s not really the kind of book you plow through… in instead chose to read a chapter at a time and absorb as much as I could from it.
I gave it 4.5!stars rounded up because sometimes I found it a little wordy, and also because while I was pretty sure I knew what the yoga move looked like based on the name and description from years of yoga classes, I would have loved a few photo sprinkled in to help aid the instructions!!
Some of my favourite parts of the book are;
- the ten takeaways at the end of each chapter for busy parents (VERY HELPFUL!)
- the really neat yoga references and definitions (such as the definition/ meaning of vinyasa - you’ll have to read the book to find out!)
- each section starts off with a really good thought quote not by the author, thereby she incorporated relevant thoughts outside of her own.
My fav quote included is: “ Parenting isn’t about what our child does, but about how we respond. In fact, most of what we call parenting doesn’t take place between a parent and child but within the parent. —Dr. Laura Markham, Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids”
- the concept she introduced of LA PAUSE.
All-in-all though it was a great book I’d recommend, and I think there is something for all parents to get out of this book. Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Ezrin and, Shamblahala Publishing for the arc copy to read and provide a voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
I gave it 4.5!stars rounded up because sometimes I found it a little wordy, and also because while I was pretty sure I knew what the yoga move looked like based on the name and description from years of yoga classes, I would have loved a few photo sprinkled in to help aid the instructions!!
Some of my favourite parts of the book are;
- the ten takeaways at the end of each chapter for busy parents (VERY HELPFUL!)
- the really neat yoga references and definitions (such as the definition/ meaning of vinyasa - you’ll have to read the book to find out!)
- each section starts off with a really good thought quote not by the author, thereby she incorporated relevant thoughts outside of her own.
My fav quote included is: “ Parenting isn’t about what our child does, but about how we respond. In fact, most of what we call parenting doesn’t take place between a parent and child but within the parent. —Dr. Laura Markham, Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids”
- the concept she introduced of LA PAUSE.
All-in-all though it was a great book I’d recommend, and I think there is something for all parents to get out of this book. Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Ezrin and, Shamblahala Publishing for the arc copy to read and provide a voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
May 12, 2023
This book was a breath of fresh air! I loved how it was broken out into different sections & that each chapter correlated to a specific yoga pose & topic. It tackles a lot of common struggles/issues & shows how you can shift your mindset. Really enjoyed this and would suggest it to any parent - especially a new or expecting parent
May 27, 2023
The Yoga of Parenting book is a valuable resource for parents and caregivers who are looking for ways to improve their parenting skills and well-being. The book is full of practical advice that is easy to understand and implement and a great reminder that parenting is a journey, and that there is no one right way to do it.
Sarah writes in a clear and engaging style, and shares her own personal experiences as a parent to illustrate the principles she discusses. She also includes stories from other parents, including the father of her children, as well as quotes from yoga teachers and philosophers. The book is full of practical advice that parents can use to improve their parenting skills and well-being.
As she states “Parenting is Yoga”, but even if you’re not a regular yoga practitioner, this book can help parents/caregivers to learn on becoming more present, patient, and compassionate, while developing a stronger sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance. It also provides tools to help parents/caregivers to build stronger relationships with their children and cope with the stress of parenting.
If you are a parent who is looking for ways to improve your parenting skills and well-being, I highly recommend reading The Yoga of Parenting. It is a valuable resource that can help you to become a more mindful, compassionate, and effective parent.
Sarah writes in a clear and engaging style, and shares her own personal experiences as a parent to illustrate the principles she discusses. She also includes stories from other parents, including the father of her children, as well as quotes from yoga teachers and philosophers. The book is full of practical advice that parents can use to improve their parenting skills and well-being.
As she states “Parenting is Yoga”, but even if you’re not a regular yoga practitioner, this book can help parents/caregivers to learn on becoming more present, patient, and compassionate, while developing a stronger sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance. It also provides tools to help parents/caregivers to build stronger relationships with their children and cope with the stress of parenting.
If you are a parent who is looking for ways to improve your parenting skills and well-being, I highly recommend reading The Yoga of Parenting. It is a valuable resource that can help you to become a more mindful, compassionate, and effective parent.
September 10, 2023
A must-read for mindful parents!
If you’re a parent, this book is for you, no matter what stage of life you or your kiddos are in. If you’ve never practiced yoga before, no worries! Like the practice of yoga, this book meets you where you’re at. Sarah guides you step by step if you’re a beginner, teaches you something new if you’ve been practicing, and walks alongside you not only as a teacher, but a parent on the path as well. I read this book as soon as it was released back in June and it helped set the tone for summer with my young boys. Now that they’re back to school, I plan to read it again.
I love the way the book is organized with a quote to start each chapter, a pose, a story from another yoga teacher/parent, and ten takeaways for busy parents at the end of each chapter. The takeaways alone is worth the book purchase! Each chapter is easily digestible. You can put it down and come back to it if needed, but you’ll want to keep reading because it’s packed with great advice, interesting stories and a just comforting to read in general.
Thank you Sarah for sharing your insights, wisdom, and beautiful stories from your friends. This book makes us feel less alone and more connected. (Now who doesn’t want that?)
PS- Did you know there’s a corresponding podcast? Fantastic interviews and a great companion to the book. I highly recommend :)
If you’re a parent, this book is for you, no matter what stage of life you or your kiddos are in. If you’ve never practiced yoga before, no worries! Like the practice of yoga, this book meets you where you’re at. Sarah guides you step by step if you’re a beginner, teaches you something new if you’ve been practicing, and walks alongside you not only as a teacher, but a parent on the path as well. I read this book as soon as it was released back in June and it helped set the tone for summer with my young boys. Now that they’re back to school, I plan to read it again.
I love the way the book is organized with a quote to start each chapter, a pose, a story from another yoga teacher/parent, and ten takeaways for busy parents at the end of each chapter. The takeaways alone is worth the book purchase! Each chapter is easily digestible. You can put it down and come back to it if needed, but you’ll want to keep reading because it’s packed with great advice, interesting stories and a just comforting to read in general.
Thank you Sarah for sharing your insights, wisdom, and beautiful stories from your friends. This book makes us feel less alone and more connected. (Now who doesn’t want that?)
PS- Did you know there’s a corresponding podcast? Fantastic interviews and a great companion to the book. I highly recommend :)
September 26, 2023
"Yoga Parenting" by Sarah Ezrin is a truly enlightening and refreshing parenting book. It skillfully balances empathy for parents who are also yoga practitioners without advocating for lax parenting. After reading this book, I felt a profound sense of well-being. It reconnected me with the core teachings of yoga, emphasizing the importance of listening to one's body and breath.
The book beautifully explores the depth and breadth of yoga, making it particularly valuable for seasoned yoga practitioners who may have experienced the competitive aspects of yoga. Personally, I found this book to be a source of inspiration and resonance, particularly the message that "those who shine within will not need the spotlight."
I wholeheartedly recommend "Yoga Parenting" to both expert practitioners and yoga celebrities. It offers a unique perspective on integrating yoga into parenting and lifestyle, allowing readers to rediscover the profound beauty of this practice in the context of raising a family.
The book beautifully explores the depth and breadth of yoga, making it particularly valuable for seasoned yoga practitioners who may have experienced the competitive aspects of yoga. Personally, I found this book to be a source of inspiration and resonance, particularly the message that "those who shine within will not need the spotlight."
I wholeheartedly recommend "Yoga Parenting" to both expert practitioners and yoga celebrities. It offers a unique perspective on integrating yoga into parenting and lifestyle, allowing readers to rediscover the profound beauty of this practice in the context of raising a family.
May 27, 2023
The Yoga of Parenting distills some yoga wisdom into insights that are relevant to modern parents. Divided into sections of Awareness, Transformation, and Connection, it touches on everything from finding calm to setting limits to social media to letting go.
As a long-time yoga practitioner, I appreciated seeing the yogic perspective applied to parenting. Each chapter begins with an insightful quote and includes posture information, yoga philosophy, and real life family examples. I loved the bullet-pointed lists of main takeaways at the end of each chapter. My biggest qualm with this book is when the author went into soapbox/memoir-like tangents, which I don't enjoy or find those useful in parenting books.
Thank you to Shambhala Publications and NetGalley for gifting me with an ARC to review. I enjoyed it!
As a long-time yoga practitioner, I appreciated seeing the yogic perspective applied to parenting. Each chapter begins with an insightful quote and includes posture information, yoga philosophy, and real life family examples. I loved the bullet-pointed lists of main takeaways at the end of each chapter. My biggest qualm with this book is when the author went into soapbox/memoir-like tangents, which I don't enjoy or find those useful in parenting books.
Thank you to Shambhala Publications and NetGalley for gifting me with an ARC to review. I enjoyed it!
September 18, 2023
“Yoga is much more about how we live our lives than what shapes we make with our bodies. It is about unity and connection - and who do we want to be more connected to than our children? (Well, most days anyway).”
This is my favorite self-help book so far this year! It spoke to me on so many levels. As a mom, who has hard days...and a yogi, who falls out of practice this was a perfect read!
Each chapter starts with a yoga pose, bringing your mind and body to an awareness that coincides with the content. I read one chapter each morning and it helped me to set my intention for the day. Each chapter ends with a sort of challenge or goal that is obtainable.
If you are a parent who tries (or wants to) practice mindfulness, yoga, and being present, I highly recommend this book! It read a lot like Raising Good Humans, another fantastic read for parents!
This is my favorite self-help book so far this year! It spoke to me on so many levels. As a mom, who has hard days...and a yogi, who falls out of practice this was a perfect read!
Each chapter starts with a yoga pose, bringing your mind and body to an awareness that coincides with the content. I read one chapter each morning and it helped me to set my intention for the day. Each chapter ends with a sort of challenge or goal that is obtainable.
If you are a parent who tries (or wants to) practice mindfulness, yoga, and being present, I highly recommend this book! It read a lot like Raising Good Humans, another fantastic read for parents!
December 1, 2024
Sarah Ezrin seems like a lovely, kind person. She is clearly intent on encouraging parents' to accept what is, release what isn't, and continue to strive to be the best parent to your child you can be. So for that, 5 stars.
This book has the depth and weight of an Instagram caption that the poster continues in the comments. No caption needs to be that long, the substance of the caption is treacly at best, and makes its point early and often. And often. And again.
I very much want to meet whoever Shambhala Publishing assigned to Ms. Ezrin as an editor because they failed her. No eye for grammatical errors or typos. A particularly glaring example was the use of the adverb "momentarily" when the adjective "momentary" was called for. Shameful.
Like a latte I didn't need on a random Tuesday, for the brief time I read this book I felt a little uplift.
This book has the depth and weight of an Instagram caption that the poster continues in the comments. No caption needs to be that long, the substance of the caption is treacly at best, and makes its point early and often. And often. And again.
I very much want to meet whoever Shambhala Publishing assigned to Ms. Ezrin as an editor because they failed her. No eye for grammatical errors or typos. A particularly glaring example was the use of the adverb "momentarily" when the adjective "momentary" was called for. Shameful.
Like a latte I didn't need on a random Tuesday, for the brief time I read this book I felt a little uplift.
June 15, 2023
Sarah Ezrin is a thought leader around all things yoga. And while she is skilled in the knowledge around the physical practice, she's even more fine-tuned around the yogic philosophies encountered in everyday life. Jen Pastiloff comments in the forward that Sarah has a gift of teaching yoga - I can second this, as I have spent many hours on my mat with Sarah guiding the ship. As a regular student of Sarah's, her words have stuck with me over the years, particularly, "Get comfortable in the uncomfortable." While I haven't quite reached the part of my path where I become a mother just yet, I am deeply thrilled that Sarah shared her knowledge on the subject and I will use this book as a resource when I find myself in the uncomfortableness parenthood will undoubtedly bring.
March 19, 2025
First of all, the title says it all. This is precisely what I need as a new mom with a 4-month-old. This book brilliantly integrates yoga philosophy and practices for parents. I particularly love the takeaways for busy parents at the end of each section. Sarah offers pose cues to reflect and grow through the challenges. I found myself getting on the floor with the book and my journal to take mini yoga breaks while my baby napped.
I bought the book in both paperback and Kindle so I could access the pep talk and practical, integrated practices anywhere, anytime! I highly recommend this book for yourself or as a gift to a parent yogi you love.
-Ann Swanson, MS
I bought the book in both paperback and Kindle so I could access the pep talk and practical, integrated practices anywhere, anytime! I highly recommend this book for yourself or as a gift to a parent yogi you love.
-Ann Swanson, MS
March 31, 2023
Since I was pregnant I was looking for an inspiring book about parenting. Two years later I finally found it in the yoga of parenting. As a devoted yoga practitioner I loved the parallels between yoga and parenting in this book and how you practice help you to be the better parent you can be. At least it helps me ! I think this book is appropriate even if you are not a devoted yoga practitioner because the pose are very simple one. It's much more about taking a little time to ground, to refresh and restart with a lot more patience, energy and presence. Give yourself a gift, read this book !!!
August 6, 2023
I loved this book! As a mom of three children 3 and under I found this advice/perspective so helpful. The repetition of the concept that yoga is in all of life not JUST on the mat was so simple yet profound to me. It's easy for me to forget in the hustle and bustle of my role as a mother, but this book reminded me to find my breath and use it in the hard moments. I'll definitely be referring back to this book throughout my parenting journey. I would also like to mention how much I loved the set up of each chapter - the mini meditations per pose each chapter, applicable advice, real stories, and a quick wrap up was ideal for a parenting book!
March 28, 2025
The yoga practices and discussion of yoga ideas related to parenting were great, but I could have done without the sprinkling in of fluff from other parenting books, not that those books are bad I’ve read many of them myself I just think this could have been more focused on yoga and meditation and the authors own experiences and experiences of other yoga parents (which it has A lot of!) and left out some of the other things.
January 29, 2024
A phenomenal resource for parents. Sarah beautifully applies yogic concepts to illustrate how to parent with greater presence, skill and ease. A practical guide that feels like a conversation with a friend traveling the path alongside you. Highly recommended for parents or caregivers of children at all ages.
June 6, 2023
It's an interesting read and can be quite wordy at times. It's full of other's stories and great reminders about how to not only be a mindful parent, but how to be mindful of your needs as well. I did enjoy the ten takeaways at the end of each chapter.
June 20, 2023
Loved the stories about different types of families all over the world. This book is inclusive, fun and easy to read -- and so relatable. Sarah does a wonderful job compiling stories and ancient yogic wisdom.
August 31, 2023
Honest, wise, and relatable, this will encourage parents to view time spent and lessons learned in yoga as valuable tools for them to use as they physically, emotionally, and spiritually hold space for their children.
October 1, 2023
Easy to read, informative, inclusive, funny, raw and real. The advice shared by the author is applicable to parents and those seeking to learn how to nurture their inner child with greater compassion.
January 4, 2024
Rounding up, but I’m giving 3.5 stars. Took away a lot of solid tid bits! It’s a nice reminder to us “yogi parents” that the benefits and lessons we learn from our yoga practice can translate and transfer deeply into our everyday parenting.
May 22, 2024
phenomenal
I don’t think you need an active yoga practice, and maybe not even children, to take away tremendous value about the scope of your entire life from this book. It’s so beneficial I know I’ll be re-reading and gifting. Exceptional.
I don’t think you need an active yoga practice, and maybe not even children, to take away tremendous value about the scope of your entire life from this book. It’s so beneficial I know I’ll be re-reading and gifting. Exceptional.
March 15, 2023
Got an advanced copy and loving this book! Very interesting concepts to bridge yoga principles to your parenting.
March 16, 2023
This book really brings together great practical suggestions for parenting wisely WITH yoga-based wisdom. Definitely helped me with the day to day stuff with my kids!
March 16, 2023
So lucky to have this powerhouse share her wisdom with the world.
April 5, 2023
Very informative guide, I enjoyed it
Want to read
July 23, 2023I really liked the way this book was laid out. I think this is a really useful book for parenting. Being a parent is hard and stressful, this book definitely gives some techniques to help with that.
September 18, 2023
I didn't get a ton out of this, but some people might find this practical be present kind of advice with yoga poses useful...Always hard for me to grab meditation activities out of a book.
October 1, 2023
Author is real and honest in person. Book is an easy read with great input from many great teachers. I've never spent so much time highlighting a book and sharing insights with other mom's!
October 18, 2024
Personally I got almost nothing out of this
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews