You may have come across the idea of child-friendly yoga. Josephine Jacob, well-known on Instagram as @yoga_mami, elevates this concept by performing impressive yoga poses alongside her two sons.
A delicate balancing act
One of her Instagram photos shows Jacob executing a flawless wheel pose while her youngest son practices a cobra pose atop her stomach. In another shot, both boys join in, with the older son supporting Jacob in her crow pose and the younger son sitting on the back of her neck.
Jacob, a certified yoga instructor who completed her 200-hour training three years ago, has also received training in teaching yoga to children. Originally from Munich, Germany, she has been living in Vancouver for 14 years. We spoke with Jacob to discover her motivations behind these acrobatic yoga feats and to gather her insights for other parents.
Q: What made you want to include your children in your yoga practice?
A: I’ve consistently practiced yoga at home. Since they were young, my kids have been curious about what I do, often climbing around me and my mat, so it felt natural to bring them into the practice.
Q: How did you encourage your sons to attempt some of the more advanced poses?
A: They have an adventurous spirit. They find it exciting—though sometimes they don’t take my suggestions too seriously. My older son has become a bit more cautious, and he’s getting quite heavy for balancing. The little one, however, is willing to try just about anything.
Q: Your Instagram showcases stunning poses, but have you experienced any yoga blunders?
A: Absolutely! I’ve had countless yoga fails, too many to count. I often share some of these on Instagram, where there’s usually a lot of laughter and falling involved.
Q: Do your kids have a favorite yoga pose?
A: They really enjoy downward-facing dog and tree pose. My older son usually prefers to be behind the camera taking pictures, and if he happens to be in the frame, he wants to approve it before it goes online. My youngest, on the other hand, loves being featured and is quite the camera ham!
Q: Has involving your children enriched your personal yoga practice?
A: It has definitely taught me to be more patient and to enjoy my practice rather than take it too seriously. The focus has shifted to having fun and exploring new experiences.
Q: How would you sum up your family in just five words?
A: Quirky, funny, loving, supportive, energetic.
