Colombian born mom, Leyla De La Espriella is mastering motherhood through yoga! Using movement and breathing practices, she prevents unhealthy explosions, in those tough mommy moments. This Amazing Mom of two boys, is a kind and gentle soul, who has helped me to navigate “pre-school mom life” with friendship, a sincere listening ear, and mommy advice straight from the heart. I’m honored to share her story and feature her as this week’s Amazing Mom!

On the makings of her family:

Young and hungry for adventure, I moved to Miami, Florida in 2002. Determined to accomplish my goals, I eventually enrolled at FIU and got my degree in International Business and Finance. After finishing school, my life partner came along. Like every other relationship, we had our ups and downs. The birth of our first son, Alexander, helped us to make the decision to settle down and embark on the most challenging, yet ecstatic adventure of our lives; being parents.

The blessings kept coming, and 26 months after Alexander was born, Benjamin arrived. We tried arduously for 6 months to get pregnant. Ovulation tests became a regular on our shopping list and the stress level was high. When I finally gave up and stopped consciously trying, our wish came true! With this came a valuable lesson that has remained with me ever since. LET GO, SURRENDER, and HAVE FAITH, that it will all work out the way it should. And that’s how my family came along.

On the challenges of motherhood:

I constantly wonder if I'm doing the right thing. All I want for my kids, is to be happy, to grow up to find their purpose in life, and be at peace.  I want them to wake up every morning with a smile, be content, fulfilled and loved. So, every day I question myself. Am I doing all I can to lead them on that path?  If it wasn’t for all my teachers' teachings, meditation, yoga practice and all other spiritual practices, I would go absolutely bananas!

Another great challenge, is keeping the balance between being a mother, a wife, a woman, a working woman and a human being! What I have learned is that there is no balance, if I don’t take care of myself. If I’m running on empty, there’s nothing left for me to give. So, although it’s not always easy, I’ve been training myself to replenish my body, mind, and soul before it becomes depleted. It’s a work in progress!

On how yoga and spirituality have influenced her motherhood journey:

I practiced yoga for 6 years before my first pregnancy. Prenatal yoga was so helpful while I was pregnant. Besides being physically relieving, it was therapeutic! It created the space to speak to other pregnant women, exchange information about doctors, baby diapers, and all that overwhelmingly, useless information we think we need when we are pregnant with our first child. Then when I gave birth, I stayed home for six months being a mom. It was then that I resolved to immerse myself more into the science of yoga. I did a 200 hour, yoga teacher training and didn’t stop there! I continued doing workshops and even kids yoga training, which I did mostly for my boys. I keep learning and studying and thankfully I have had the best teachers to guide me through this path.

In my daily life, I practice pranayama (breathing exercises). Sometimes to avoid losing it, and a situation I would later regret, I hide myself in a room, so I could sit, and breathe in and out at least 10 times.  I chant mantras. My favorite of all times is the Gayatri mantra and last but not least, Om.  Sometimes me and the boys do oms together. They think it's a game, but it does make a difference in the energy. I also carry lavender oil in my purse and when feeling stressed and overwhelmed, I rub some on my neck and wrists and take deep breaths.

I am a seeker and a believer that we are beings beyond the roles we play in life, and that thought brings me back to center.  I am passionate about being a mom to my boys!  Thanks to them, I have learned so much about myself. They have been one of the best teachers this life has given me. My hope is that I could be as a good teacher to them, as they have been to me.  I have been blessed to have a supporting, hands on, loving partner, and family to be part of this journey called parenthood.

On what she loves most about being a mom:

The best thing about motherhood is the unconditional love. Unconditional love from the kids, to my kids, from my partner, to my partner and from here to everyone that surrounds us.  It is beautiful to see how being a parent brings a lot of people together. Whatever the circumstances are, you will find the tribe that fits you. Some people leave and some stay, but we learn something from all of them.  Motherhood has brought amazing friends to my life. Since many of my close friends live far away, I am grateful that I have found great women that have become a support system to me as a woman and as a mother. It all stems from the love we have for our children.

 On advice for new moms:

Follow your heart when it comes to raising your children. Don’t follow books, doctors, or any trending new theory.  Just connect with your children, feel them, listen to them and to your heart, it is always right!

If you enjoyed this post take a moment to sign up for updates, announcements and chances to win giveaways from ispeakmom.com 

© Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicola Rios Nogales and ispeakmom.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.