Woman who became obsessed with yoga after taking it up to have a 'super fit pregnancy' credits it for changing her life and preparing her body for a 'beautiful' drug free birth

  • Samantha Christensen turned to yoga when she became pregnant in 2012
  • The mum from Sydney credited it with preparing her body for birth
  • Ms Christensen talks about how yoga has changed her life
  • She said at the start she couldn't afford gym membership so did yoga at home
  • 'Yoga has changed my life as a single mum,' Ms Christensen said

By Sophie Haslett For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:05 EST, 7 January 2017 | Updated: 21:42 EST, 7 January 2017

While Samantha Christensen was always active and reasonably sporty, it wasn't until she became pregnant in 2012 that she discovered what has become her saviour over the past three years.

Yoga. Ms Christensen, from Sydney, credits it with fulfilling her wish to have a 'super fit pregnancy' and later helping her when her marriage broken down in 2013.

'Without those resources and what I've learned from yoga, I wouldn't have been able to cope these past few years,' the 30-year-old personal trainer told Daily Mail Australia.

'Yoga has changed my life as a single mum,' she said.

Devoted: While Samantha Christensen (pictured) has always been reasonably active and sporty, it wasn't until she became pregnant that she took up yoga - which she now loves

Yogi: The 30-year-old mother of one (pictured while pregnant) told Daily Mail Australia that yoga helped her with having a super fit pregnancy, and also when her marriage broke down

Coping mechanism: 'Without those resources and what I've learned from yoga, I wouldn't have been able to cope these past few years,' the 30-year-old personal trainer said

Ms Christensen came to yoga when she decided she wanted to stay fit and healthy while expecting.

Working out from home, in the garden and whenever she could find the time, she grew to love the ancient practice and how it made her stop thinking about other things going on at the time.

 As a single mum I'd put my son to bed at night and then be stuck with my thoughts. Yoga helped me to relax

'Because you're focusing on your body and your breath so much there's no room to think about anything else,' she said.

'I couldn't touch my toes when I started but you do become more flexible. I made sure I ate well and trained both my mind and my body during pregnancy because I felt that this was the most physical thing my body had ever been through. It was important to prep myself.'

The now mum of one had a natural, drug-free birth, which she said was 'beautiful'.

'I came back to yoga when my marriage broke down three years ago because I needed an outlet,' Ms Christensen added. 

'As a single mum I'd put my son to bed at night and then be stuck with my thoughts. Yoga helped me to relax.'

Healthu: Ms Christensen came to yoga when she decided she wanted to stay fit while pregnant (pictured) - she thought giving birth would be strenuous, so it would be good to be fit

Calm: Working out from home, in the garden and whenever she could find time, she grew to love the ancient practice and how it made her stop thinking about other things going on

'Because you're focusing on your body and your breath so much there's no room to think about anything else,' Ms Christensen said

Return: Ms Christensen then returned to yoga when her marriage broke down: 'As a single mum I'd put my son to bed at night and be stuck with my thoughts. Yoga helped me to relax'

Release: Ms Christensen says that yoga is good for anyone who needs a stress release (pictured practising)

Dream team: She said that her four-year-old son (right) is also already a keen yogi - he already knows his Downward Dog and Upward Dog

TIPS TO GET STARTED 

* Work with your location and whatever minimal equipment you have; you don't need pricey gym membership.

* Film yourself so that you can see your form as you work out. With no trainer next to you, you won't know how you're doing otherwise.

* Concentrate on your breathing and your body - soon your thoughts about other things will stop.

* If you want to do strength training, use your body as resistance. If you want to do cardio, run down your hallway.

* Take care of yourself in the way you'd expect someone who loved you to.

Ms Christensen says that you don't have to have the perfect home set-up in order to start yoga.

'Look at me - I'm a single mum and my life is a blur. 

'When I first started, I couldn't afford a gym membership or the time needed for it. 

'My life was unstable and I had to work around my baby and his sleep. But you can do yoga at home provided you work with your location.'

Ms Christensen regularly posts videos and photos on her Instagram page of herself in various yoga positions in front of her TV and in her kitchen.

'The most important thing is to film yourself! I know it sounds weird, but with no trainer next to you screaming you won't be able to check your form unless you do.'

DIY: Ms Christensen says that you don't have to have the perfect home set-up in order to start yoga - she started at home (pictured)

Can do: 'When I first started, I couldn't afford a gym membership or the time needed for it,' she said - and so she practised at home in her living room

Tips: 'The most important thing is to film yourself!,' Ms Christensen said - without a trainer, you need to be able to see your form 

Therapy: 'Yoga has taught me to love myself and care for myself again. Whatever is on my mind, I always feel better after doing a bit of yoga,' Ms Christensen said

 The 30-year-old mum now always turns to the Downward Dog when she is stressed.

'My mum always tells me to do some yoga if she sees I'm upset or angry,' she laughed. 

'Yoga has taught me to love myself and care for myself again. Whatever is on my mind, I always feel better after doing a bit of yoga.

'I also love setting a positive example for my son, who gets involved even though he's only four. He knows his Downward Dog and his Upward Dog.

'It sounds crazy to say after the few years I've had, but I'm currently happier than ever. I have yoga to thank for that.'

You can follow Samantha Christensen on Instagram here.  

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