One of the foundational principles of yoga practice is to bring mindfulness to everything we do. Today host Rachel speaks with Yoga Medicine teacher, studio owner, and mother Dana Diament about bringing that awareness into the crucial relationship between parent and child through the practice of conscious parenting.

In this episode, Dana shares her experience of learning to parent with more self-awareness, how it's never too late to try a new approach, the importance of "repair" when interactions don't go as planned, and the many overlaps between the yoga journey and the parenting journey.

You don't have to be a parent to benefit from this episode, which, at its core, is about learning how to build kinder, more patient relationships with others, as well as with ourselves.

Show Notes:

• Dana's introduction to mindfulness through journalling [4:04]
• Children as a mirror of unconscious scripts [6:35]
• A key difference between parenting and other close relationships [10:40]
• Defining conscious parenting [12:45]
• Dealing with external expectation and pressure as a parent [16:22]
• An example of conscious parenting [17:20]
• It's never too late for "repair" when interactions don't go to plan [20:48]
• Tools for kids to recognize and resolve agitation [25:01]
• Application to other relationships [29:40]
• "SMILE": techniques to connect with children [33:20]
• Our primary relationship, with ourself [37:05]
• Relevant themes from yoga philosophy [38:21]
• Separating the parent's identity and expectations from the child's [46:55]
• Dana's takeaways [51:15]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• YMO Monthly Dose – Tips from Yoga Philosophy
• Conscious parenting books and resources:
  • Good Inside Podcast with Dr Becky Kennedy, @drbeckygoodinside
  • Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers by Faith Collins
  • Mothering Our Boys by Maggie Dent
  • The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J Siegel MD
  • The Conscious Parent by Dr Shefali Tsabary
• Connect with Dana Diament:

Facebook | Instagram | Lennox Yoga | YM Online Teacher

You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at www.YogaMedicine.com/podcast-45.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at www.YogaMedicine.com.

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