Is starting mindfulness as easy as A, B, C?

If you remember, we began a little journey into daily mindful breathing last month using the book Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing with my seven year-old and 15-month-old. I was joined by a special mummy friend, CC (@koyourichan on IG) who also had similar plans to set aside more time for self-care and mindful parenting as part of her New Year’s resolution.

CC takes a moment to slow down with our Chalk and Chakras kids yoga mat and Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing)

It was great having her along for the month and we shared our attempts on our Instagram accounts (check out @chalkandchakras highlights!). We weren’t always successful every day – there were lapses and hurried sessions; it also wasn’t easy including a baby in the mix.

CC shares us her perspectives about the experience with us.

How did you feel prior to starting this month-long exercise with us?

I wanted to learn to do more self-care at the start of the year. I’m the type that gets anxious and flustered quite easily. My husband would always tell me to relax. I thought I should learn how to calm down. I signed up to do some yoga last year, but it was only upon chancing upon Chalk and Chakras did I realised mindfulness and yoga are also activities for kids. It clicked something in me like, “Oh, maybe this is something I can start with Koyourichan”. I felt pretty excited about the prospect.

And then you found out it wasn’t so easy right?

Yes. I had wanted to document the sessions with her every day. I know she’s still very young but I thought perhaps she can just watch me or sit beside me. But she really can’t. Also, as a full time working mum, it’s quite rushed every night when I return home. I have rather regular night calls. It was difficult have a fixed time and space to do the breathing exercises.

How did you find time to commit to it then?

I just did what I could. I personally did each letter every day – just carving out that five to ten minutes at home to follow the steps. I found it really quite soothing and calming.

CC with her daughter Koyouri who just turned 1 years old. She hopes to practise mindful breathing exercises together as a bonding activity.

Your daughter is still too young to understand and try these exercises, but how do you hope this can help you in your interactions with her?  

I’m motivated to try it with her again when she’s older. I realised that she enjoys looking at the book – maybe it’s because I was using it every day. She would want to take it from the shelf whenever she sees it. I’d love to do this more regularly with her cos it’s such a unique bonding activity.  She might not know anything now or how it could be good for her, but I’d really like her to start young when it comes to being more aware of her surroundings and how she’s feeling.

How did you think this month-long experience has helped you?

I have trouble staying present. This has forced me to give up some time every day to follow the book. And that has been good to just read, hear myself breath and think things through a little slower. I’ve never done this at home before. It’s also made me more motivated to try this with Koyouri again.