Move over, soccer moms. Yoga moms are here to stay, and we must admit, we think they have an even cooler reputation. With the Instagram world giving your average Joe or Jane a platform for reaching out to people across the world, one yoga mom in particular has made her own impact. Holly Fiske is the Upside Down Momma of Instagram, and with over 51 thousand followers, she is an inspiration to mothers, parents, and women throughout the country.
Bliss: What pose do you use to help you unwind?
Holly: Definitely an inversion-usually a handstand. It is literally my way to blow off some steam. It’s also just fun! I do it when I’m happy or when I’m overwhelmed and I do it to get my head back on straight. Sometimes you just need to snap out of it and get a burst of energy. Inverting is like a shot of caffeine the way your circulation reverses for a second.
Bliss: So would an inversion be your pick-me up too?
Holly: Yes. I think when you’re overwhelmed you either crawl into a hole or you work hard to change things and change your attitude. So when I want to reverse my mood, I reverse my stance!
Bliss: What do you hope for your children to learn from yoga?
Holly: For them to be safe and happy and healthy. I want them to be healthy inside and out and take care of themselves. It’s amazing what yoga can give to kids that other sports can’t without them realizing. It’s the inward part of the practice that is just so good. Especially with the age of my son, things get emotional sometimes and I truly think Yoga taught him that ability to take a deep breath and let go. That’s the brilliant thing about it; even as young as they are they are already learning to focus their bodies as well as their emotions.
Bliss: Are THE TERRIBLE TWOS so terrible?
Holly: Three to four is definitely a very trialing age. As they experiment more with the “yes” and the “no” they really like to push it. My son is more challenging than he’s ever been. He’s trying to gauge what is appropriate and what is not and why. With yoga, the mental part is the control. He’s learning how to focus and to take a breath and he sees what I do too. He will see me inverted and notice how I am locked into my focus and then he sees how much control comes from my focus. Sometimes you’ll see him copying me. They are little sponges right now.
Bliss: How do you Find time for a regular practice?
Holly: I think I have had to re-define it. Which I think is fine; we all have to find our own way. It’s about finding what your practice means to you. I had to excuse the thought of two-hour candle-lit yoga. We are really active and outdoorsy. A practice is whenever I can do it. My kids coming up to me isn’t causing me to miss out on anything-It’s the best. We are very outdoorsy and go on hikes so sometimes I just see a really beautiful place and I want to do yoga there.
Bliss: What does Yoga with your kids look like?
Holly: Complete chaos (laughs) It’s great. The key really is to not fight it. You don’t want to build resentment. It’s something I enjoy doing, and I don’t want them to resent it or put it in a negative light. Sometimes I hit the mat with my kids and they are just not in to it. I just embrace that. It’s important to be flexible so that you don’t turn them off. It’s healthy physically and mentally and it’s what you want for your kids and what you want for yourself.
Bliss: How do you follow your bliss?
Holly: Luckily I married a man who has the same thought as me on that, and we are professional adventurers. The main part of our life is having adventure and letting life be ever-changing. We like to be where we’re at and do what we’re doing. Holly’s approach to her personal practice is similar to her parenting; just roll with it. Being a mom is about adjusting to change and doing it with a happy heart.
Holly is filled with laughter and loves the disarray of parenthood. She really believes that the life she lives is doable, and she knows it can make anyone else just as happy as she is. What is her advice to mothers who try and have a practice? “Be flexible. Just accept the colorful practice you are going to get and do it. [Parenting] has given me an insanely wonderful practice. I love the chaos! Embrace your chaos.”
Find Holly on Instagram @upsidedownmama
Blog written by Jessica Malloy. Read more on her website/blog: narrowhips.com and follow on insta/twitter: itsjess26.