“Why did you wrote your book Mother Om and why did you start Yoga Mamata and now Mindfulness for Mothers”
LP – “I secretly wrote my book “Mother Om” for me. I wanted to remind myself of the mother I wanted to be, one filled with compassion and grace. I went through a heart breaking divorce when my son Lael was about to turn 2. The overwhelming stress of this situation left me feeling disconnected and I suffered from intense loneliness. I found myself shouting at my little boy who in return mirrored my frustration in his behaviour. We both had terrible two tantrums. I then felt so full of guilt and shame. “Mother Om” allowed me to find a way to be a mindful mother. After my divorce I bought my first business teaching kids yoga. This led me to becoming a yoga and mindfulness teacher working with mums and families. I knew how mums where feeling so I wrote my book to guide them like a yoga class, and teach them how to reconnect with themselves and their kids. My mission is to keep families connected. My story has a happy ending. I literally sent Mother Om to print and went on one date on Tinder and met my partner Jarkko and now we have a beautiful baby girl Luna-Joy. She is our Tinder surprise”
HMM – “What was your biggest challenge in beginning your work? Were you afraid to share your story?”
LP – “I didn’t have a choice regarding sharing my story. When I was going through my divorce my yoga practice was my saviour and it guided me to find my light. I had to share my story. I knew it would help so many other mothers. When I discovered my light it was so bright that it scared me more than the darkness I had experienced. It made me leave my comfort zone, leave the corporate world, start my business and still today that light drives me to make a difference to inspire others to shine their light. My biggest challenge was not to listen to my negative inner critic or to other people who told me I couldn’t do it. I believe you can do anything if you tell yourself your can. Your mind is your best friend or your worst enemy”
HMM – “What do you feel was your major breakthrough or big break in your business?”
LP – “Publishing Mother Om was a major breakthrough. Mother Om won an award at the Living Now Book Awards and was given a top 5/5 ranking from the Writers Digest and described as a “spectacular book”. As a result I have the interviewed on the radio, TV shows, been featured in Mother and Baby Mag, Practical Parenting, Wellbeing Mag, my family were on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald. I have had some amazing opportunities. Last year I worked with ABC Kids. My son Lael was on Play School teaching Humpty Dumpty yoga on a show called Humpty’s Big Adventure. So amazing for him, he is now famous at school. I won a partnership award for my business last year too.”
HMM – “As a mama of two, what was the biggest myth (positive or negative) about being a mum that you’ve since changed your view on?”
LP – “I love being a mother of two. I actually think to really enjoy motherhood, to be present and to savour each moment then you need to have a second child. I was 35 when I divorced and I was a single mama for 3 years. I manifested my partner and my baby girl into creation by sending love and positivity into the world. I live in eternal gratitude for my beautiful blended family. The myth of perfection in motherhood is something I have completely let go of. We are imperfect and so are our kids. That is what makes us human. Our kids challenge us which makes us grow and evolve. Your child is your guru”
HMM – “How do you balance your beautiful business with being a mama?”
LP – “Mindfulness is a tool I use in every aspect of my life. Focusing on one time a time, not multitasking or feeling overwhelmed at the to do list instead I use the power of being present. I don’t work when I am with my kids or with my family or I organise time out so I can follow my passion. When I work I work, I am so focused and can get a days work done in 2 hours. Mothers are incredibly productive. I also love outsourcing. We have demi pairs that come and live with us. They are students learning English and stay for 3 months. For a room and board they give us 20 hours of help a week. It is a priceless exchange. I travelled the world for 10 years and love to repay that universal karma.”
HMM – “If you could give your pre-mama self a word of advice, what would it be?”
LP – “I had no idea of the challenge and joy that motherhood would bring. I use a mantra ‘let it come, let it go, let it flow”. So much of what happens in life we have no control over. Motherhood is a roller coaster of emotional. Some days when Luna has been awake all night teething, I stare into my vat of soy latte and even thought I may look like a sleep deprived mama with messy hair and tired eyes, I am smiling inside. I am so grateful for my journey.”
First published on Healthy Mama Magazine
