Finding Balance in the Chaos: Sarah Ezrin on Yoga, Parenting, and Mental Health
Written by Heather Anderson
Sarah Ezrin, renowned yoga educator, mental health advocate, and author of The Yoga of Parenting, brings a refreshing perspective to navigating the challenges of modern parenthood. Through her journey of self-discovery, loss, and resilience, Sarah shares how the principles of yoga have become not just a practice but a lifeline for mental well-being and connection. In this interview, Sarah discusses her work, her commitment to maternal mental health, and how writing and yoga intertwine in her mission to support parents.
Can you share the moment or experience that ignited your passion for yoga and led you to intertwine it with parenting and mental health advocacy?
My first introduction to yoga was at 19, and ironically, it started as a joke! My dad sent me a VHS tape of a yoga class, and my roommate and I put it on, expecting to laugh at it. But within seconds, we were both hooked. We even put out our cigarettes, moved the furniture, and dove right into the practice. Today, almost 25 years later, we’re both yoga teachers.
That moment set me on a new path, but it wasn’t until my early 20s that I truly dove into yoga when my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. It became my refuge during that time. As someone who has always grappled with anxiety—I was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder at eight—mental health has always been a core element of my life. Yoga became another vehicle to address and manage that anxiety, and when I became a parent, it played a critical role in helping me navigate postpartum anxiety.
It was the realization that yoga isn’t just physical—it’s about connection. That’s what led me to redefine yoga for parents and make it a tool for mental health and well-being, especially in those overwhelming early parenting years.
“...yoga isn’t just physical—it’s about connection. That’s what led me to redefine yoga for parents and make it a tool for mental health and well-being...”
What drives you to share your experiences so openly, and how has writing served as a healing process for you and your readers?
Writing has always been my safe space. I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember, and writing was one of the few activities that allowed me to escape from that anxiety. It became a place where I could process emotions and experiences, where time and space melted away.
When I started sharing my writing more vulnerably, I realized it wasn’t just healing for me but for others, too. The feedback I received kept me going—it was clear that by opening up about my experiences, others felt seen and supported. Writing, much like yoga, became another means of connection.
In The Yoga of Parenting, you introduce a unique perspective on parenthood. How can yoga principles be applied to parenting, and what impact do you hope the book has on families?
The key is in redefining yoga. In the West, yoga is often seen as physical exercise—stretching, poses—but at its core, yoga is about connection. What I’ve realized is that many of the tools we use on the mat, like breath awareness or energy management, are equally applicable to parenting.
For example, when my toddler is having a meltdown, the same awareness of breath I use in a challenging pose can help me stay grounded in that moment. It’s about using these tools to find calm and peace in the chaos. Parenting in modern society is incredibly hard, and I hope the book offers parents a lifeline, a way to reconnect with themselves and find their own inner strength during the challenges.
As a maternal mental health advocate, what are the most common challenges you see parents facing today, and how do you support them through your work?
There are so many layers to this. Perinatal mood disorders—like postpartum depression and anxiety—are huge, and they’re not just hormonal. So much of it is systemic. We live in a society that doesn’t offer adequate social support for new parents. There’s little to no paid leave, childcare is unaffordable, and many people live far from family support systems.
It’s no wonder so many new parents feel overwhelmed and depleted. And this lack of support leads to long-term mental health issues. Through my work, I hope to create spaces where parents feel seen and validated, and to advocate for systemic changes that better support families.
You’ve built a significant online community where people feel seen and heard. How do you foster such a supportive environment online, and what role does this community play in your mission?
I love group therapy and being in circles, but for many parents, in-person gatherings aren’t always feasible. Social media has become this incredible platform for creating that same sense of connection. By sharing my experiences—whether it’s about a miscarriage or the realities of parenting—I’m essentially opening the door for others to do the same. It’s like lighting a spark, and once it’s lit, people feel empowered to share their own stories.
For example, when I wrote about my miscarriage, the outpouring of responses was overwhelming. People told me they hadn’t even shared their loss with family but felt safe enough to open up in that online space. That’s the power of community—it allows us to heal together.
Throughout your career, you’ve been open about facing and overcoming personal challenges. How have these experiences shaped your approach to teaching and advocacy?
In yoga, there’s a concept called tapas, which means purification through heat or challenges. Every difficulty I’ve faced—from losing my mom to miscarriage to everyday parenting struggles—has shaped who I am. It’s uncomfortable in the moment, but on the other side of that fire is growth.
I don’t believe in toxic positivity—people need to feel their emotions fully. But in retrospect, I can often see the growth that came from those challenges. It’s those experiences that fuel my desire to help others. I want to show people that even in their hardest moments, there’s the possibility for transformation.
You’ve been outspoken on social issues, particularly around women’s equality and parenting. How do you incorporate these values into your yoga teaching and writing?
Inclusivity is incredibly important to me, and it’s a driving force in my writing. When I started working on The Yoga of Parenting, I noticed that most parenting books were written from a heteronormative perspective. You rarely saw stories about single parents, LGBTQIA families, or families that don’t fit the “traditional” mold.
I wanted my book to reflect the reality of modern families. I interviewed parents from diverse backgrounds—single parents, foster parents, LGBTQIA families—because these are the people I see in my community, and their stories deserve to be told.
In my teaching, I aim to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome. I wasn’t always like this—early on, my teaching was more rigid. But now, with nearly 20 years of experience and two kids, I’m much more focused on allowing people to find their own way. That’s what inclusivity is—holding space for people to be exactly who they are.
Looking ahead, are there any new projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
I’d love to continue expanding my work and reaching more people. Whether it’s through facilitating more circles, offering trainings, or speaking at events, I want to continue being a space holder for parents. I’d also love to be involved in parenting conferences as a yoga and mindfulness expert, bridging the gap between wellness and parenting.
Ultimately, I want to integrate these worlds—yoga, mental health, and parenting—because they’re not separate. Parenting is part of everything we do, especially when your kids are young, and I hope to help people weave these aspects of their lives together in a holistic way.
For those inspired by your journey and wanting to learn more, how can they join your community?
The best places to connect with me are through Instagram and Substack, where I share free resources, classes, and quarterly gatherings. You can also visit my website for more details and to join my email list, where you’ll receive a free boundary meditation upon signing up.
You can also find Sarah Ezrin on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Sarah inside The Club membership for women Founders.