By adhering to the following prerequisites, you too can have a complete yogic experience with your children.

image from NPR

• Start by choosing your mat.  When your children see you roll out yours, they will immediately clamor for one of the remaining mats (tip: be sure to have only one of each color and one less than the number of children).
• Place yours in an open area, free from obstacles and other people.  Your children will fill in the void.
• Set your yoga strap at your side, easily accessible during your practice.  Your children will be able to grasp it easily as well to whip each other.
• Don’t forget yoga blocks – in case you need extra support during a stretch.  Or a teething ring or projectile.
• Clear your mind.  Your children will ping around like ping-pong balls no matter what venomous thoughts you entertain.
• Lie in repose.  Ignore that fact that a toddler’s thick skull could sucker punch you in the gut at any moment.
• Oh, and be sure to slide your sandals off before lying down, but keep them close by.  Your particularly feisty child may need a missile to launch at you for not arranging her not-right-color mat properly.
• Range through the poses at your own pace – not that of your instructor.  You need to adjust for puppies crawling through your downward dog, snakes wriggling under your bridge, monkeys hanging onto your tree.
• Accept your body as it is.  Don’t force the sore muscles of your shoulder or your tight hamstrings.  Your children will do that when they knock into you, sending your warrior tumbling.
• Move your yoga practice outside for inspiration and variety.  Tell your children they may play nearby if they tire of yoga.  They will tire of yoga, but will stay right by your side, taunting and pleading for snacks and your attention.
• Scan your body for areas of tension.  Notice the up-tick in your blood pressure as your children attempt acrobatics off the couch onto the yoga mats.
• Do not abandon your practice before it is finished.  You came here to find inner peace and relax, dammit.