You know all those pretty, serene, perfect photos you see of people practicing yoga? My practice is SO not like that. And, truth be told, I don’t know anyone who really does have a practice like that. I know plenty of people who put a lot of time and effort into staging beautiful, inspiring photos of what yoga might look like in a dream world—and I’m not knocking it—but I know it’s not real.

In fact, most of the most gratifying and beneficial yoga practices I’ve had in my 10+ years as a yoga student have been the ugliest. They’ve been the practices where my hair was crazy, there’s dog fur all over my floor, my dishes are piled high in the next room, my daughter was jumping all over me, and I had a window of just 10 minutes to practice… but I did it anyway.

Sometimes I have to fight (yes, literally) to get just a few minutes on my mat. And most of the time it’s worth it.

The next time you decide to fight the good fight, here’s one of my most favorite pose sequences to do (messy hair, distractions, and all!)

1. Calf Stretch. Start on all fours and extend your right leg behind you. Keep your toes on the floor and press your heel toward the wall behind you. Laugh when your toddler, pet, or significant other interrupts you in the most annoying way they can think of.

(NOTE: Those lumps are my 3-year-olds knees, not my boobs. Motherhood does tend to make things a little saggy, but not THAT saggy, thank you very much.)

2. Side Plank Variation. Spin your back heel to the floor and lift your right arm up and over. Turn your right palm to face the floor as you lift the right side of your ribcage toward the ceiling. Feel a big long stretch. Laugh when your toddler, pet, or significant other interrupts you in the most annoying way they can think of.

3. Preparation for Gate Pose. Engage your core as you lift your torso upright and reach your arms out. Laugh when your toddler, pet, or significant other interrupts you in the most annoying way they can think of.

4. Gate Pose. Reach your right hand down your right leg and move your left arm toward the wall behind you. Breath. Try not to laugh when your toddler, pet, or significant other interrupts you in the most annoying way they can think of.

Repeat the sequence to the other side. Good luck.