Mothers are a daughter’s greatest supporters, and few would disagree. As daughters grow older, their relationship with their mothers evolves into a deep friendship, built on shared experiences, mutual understanding, and unwavering support. They become each other’s confidantes, offering wisdom, guidance, and encouragement through life’s ups and downs.
Just as mothers cheer for their daughters at every step, daughters, in turn, become their mothers’ biggest champions. They celebrate their achievements, uplift them during challenges, and provide the same love and support they once received. Angie and Shobhana Tiwari are a beautiful example of this bond, one that has been further deepened through their shared love for yoga.
Angie has been immersed in yoga since childhood, growing up in an environment where the practice was an integral part of her mother Shobhana’s early life. For Angie, inspiration was never far away, and for Shobhana, who had set yoga aside amid the demands of motherhood, it was heartwarming to see her daughter embrace the spiritual science she had always loved.
Years later, Angie brought yoga back into Shobhana’s life. “I used to practice with a yogi in India throughout my teens and later in life before moving to the UK. Angie gave me the inspiration to take it up again and challenge myself when I had lost my regular practice,” Shobhana shared.
For Angie, seeing her mother return to yoga has been a fulfilling experience. “I never thought I’d be able to get her back into it. She was incredibly proud when I decided to go to India for my teacher training, knowing how deeply I had fallen in love with the practice. Yet, whenever I encouraged her to join me, she was always hesitant—almost annoyed at the suggestion,” Angie recalled.
Then the pandemic hit. With lockdowns and increased time at home, along with Angie’s persistence, Shobhana eventually started taking classes online through UNEARTHED, Angie’s yoga platform that offers over 350 classes led by Indian teachers. “She also joined my YouTube classes and live sessions, saying she felt less self-conscious and more ready to give it another try,” Angie added.
Since returning to her practice, Shobhana has experienced a remarkable transformation in her strength, energy, and mobility. More than that, her relationship with Angie has grown even stronger. “I see her passion for yoga and the way she follows Hindu traditions. She has done so much research, and the time and respect she shows to our culture make me so proud,” Shobhana said.
Beyond the physical benefits, practicing together has given them a new way to bond. “Yoga has helped not only with her health issues but also in deepening our connection beyond the traditional mother-daughter dynamic. We love practicing together on the mat, and off the mat, we have deeper philosophical discussions because of what yoga has taught us,” Shobhana added.
Angie echoed the sentiment, saying, “We now have deeper discussions about life because yoga philosophy is so profound—it allows us to connect on another level. We’re both more self-aware, and the practice has brought us closer in ways I never expected. Physically, she has become much stronger, more flexible, and has experienced a significant reduction in knee pain.”
For Angie, seeing her mother develop a solid daily practice has been truly rewarding. “I’m so proud of her resilience in overcoming the fear of starting again—it’s often even harder to return to a practice once it’s been lost. Seeing how much calmer, stronger, and more mobile she has become is a true testament to her dedication. She was the one who first taught me yoga asanas, pranayama, and a yogic mindset, and now I get to share new ones with her. Even better, we get to practice together. It has been such a beautiful, full-circle experience. She is the perfect example that yoga is for everyone, at any age—she’s now a Nani Ma at 70!”
Now, Angie is working on helping Shobhana overcome her fears around certain poses. “I’m trying to bring the fun into the bits she’s fearful of and remind her that she can master her mind! For me, I’m enjoying building up my strength again after having my baby and deepening my understanding and practice of mudras,” she said.
Shobhana admits she has some built-in fears around certain poses but is eager to challenge herself with Angie’s guidance. Their journey together is a beautiful reminder that yoga is not just a practice—it’s a lifelong bond, one that transcends generations and continues to evolve.
