😈 advocate 👿

 

Sirsasana - Headstand

I take my concerns and turn them all around , inside-out, and upsidown.

⚡️

Are we open to receive? 

 

Out

 

Kapalabhati Pranayama - Breath of Fire

Forceful exhalations, Passive inhalations.

Rhythmic abdominal contractions; intentionally push out, allow for a natural quick return. Sounds demanding? Involuntary? Imposing? It is.

Take the one next best step in the right direction. 

just Astrid

NOT “Mom”, “Mother”, “Wife”, “Boss”, “ Secretary”, “Client”, (“Customer”, “Collaborator”, “Gate Keeper”, “Dog Owner”,  “Chef”, “Chauffeur”, “Cleaning Lady”, “Counselor”…) Just Astrid.

It’s worthwhile and meaningful to uphold important (to you) roles and wear ones supervisor hats — to lead a purposeful life. But, boy, was it emancipating to relinquish administrative duties for a couple of days! 

DIE hard

Savasana - CORPSE pose. 

NOT Visramasana -  rest, relaxation pose. 

 It’s called Corpse pose not Rest pose. Which parts of you are you ready to KILL-off for good ???

Whirly girl

Las Vegas for 2 nights. High-waisted swim suit - check.

Goal : tan, people-watch, shop. 

Desert dress-code : ‘Fear and Loathing’ meets haute hippie. 🏜️ 

I am forever giving all colors (patterns, fabrics, cuts, shapes, treatments … ) a whirl. Perennially curious or fashion victim? 🤷‍♀️

Overstuffed

 

Upavistha Konasana - Wide-Legged Seated Foward Fold

EMPTY yourself for Spirit to enter. 

Close and Click

Aparigraha - Yama of non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-attachment 

It’s finally here. Mommy’s ‘off’-season. No birthdays or holidays in this home until October and I’m giddy. I sat at the coffee shop this morning practically levitating; Easter was my final hoorah and it’s behind me. 

Of course, there will still be endless playdates, gatherings and pool parties in our near future, but those parlous (albeit winnowed* and well organized!) DECORATION BINS are now clicked shut and closed up in the cupboards — for nary half the year !!!!! 🥂 

*Some sizable, substantial decorations have only lived with me through 2 years, 2 rounds of celebrating, but were a mistake that must be acknowledged and their donation pick-up is scheduled. I hope it’s not too inconvenient to pass along life-size trick-or-treating statues, giant glowing snowflakes, glitter encrusted cranberry wreaths, golden light-up nutcrackers, and stoic German Santa Clauses in May…

RED LIGHT

 

Uttanasana- Forward Fold

Red Light. Pause. Re-route? (Right turn on red??)

& always contemplating, testing, evaluating colors ….❤️💋 

Hip to my Hop

🍬 

Sometimes a little piece of candy (or gum) is all the pick-me-up you (your passengers, fellow travelers, skiers, hikers, shoppers or meanderers), need to restore that Springy bounce in your step. So, have a small 🍭 stash on hand.  

My mother is known for licorice or caramel. I carry anything mint chocolate. The kids and their father go for peanut butter. Gum is always a crowd pleaser… you ??? 

Get it together

 

Dwi Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Vrschikasana Pada) — Two legged Downward Facing Dog (Scorpion-esque)

If you take your kids to the store, plan on buying them something — “one salty snack, one sweet”, “one snack, one drink”, “one non-food item”. If you don’t want to buy them anything - don’t bring them!!!!!

PS : Offering to buy GUM can generally seal the deal. 💋 

SUPERficial

The Material World is frivolous and should delight. If it’s weighing us down, we must rethink our approach. 

Yolk

 

 

Match your outer apparel to your inner light.

Medicinal

 

Booknookasana

Get thee to the public library. Feeling disoriented? The library never fails to provide a sense of place and belonging. Return home with your weary soul soothed and a high stack of ‘medicines’. 

How to lose 5 lbs

 

Phalakasana — Forearm Plank Pose, Dolphin Plank Pose

 

Personally, abstaining from TV is all it takes for me to eschew mindless noshing. How to curb snacky small screen marathons? Books! Lots of them. From the library. Stacked high on the bedside, the stories beckon me out of the chaotic kitchen to the orderly upstairs dormitory, sometimes as early as 8pm …

Everyday yoga

Bitilasana - Cow Pose

Yoga. Every. Day. 
 

Ambiance Aura Atmosphere

Tuladandasana - Balancing Stick Pose

SUMMER. What’s the DREAM IMAGE? What’s the VIBE? (How can that GOAL be achieved?) 

Prevent Summer break aimlessness - Predetermine your desired overall style, theme, essence - Ambiance! Aura! Atmosphere! - and let that be your bullseye when determining the many, many details and decisions for the impending solstitial season. Do give yourself a week or two, though, of OBSERVATION after school ends before you ‘fixe’ your Daily Summertime Routine. (Some structure is still a must.) 🎯 

Setbackstep

Ustrasana - Camel Pose 🐪 

SETBACK: BACKSTEP, reset. Jack has to be pushed back into the box - every time - in order to pop out again.🤡

The so-called setback is a consummate teacher. I spaced on setting my alarm last night and missed my wake-up for the first time since my early AM rising custom was conceived two seasons heretofore. Lesson: My evening regime is what sets me up for the morning program; the systems are inseparable, and the former nightfall must not be underestimated. 🌚🌝

Contrarian

 

Virabhadrasana I - Warrior I

Abandon your renegade approach and be a joiner? We are sensitive beings - take comfort in your ability to blend when it benefits you. 🐸 You’re still a counter-culture nonconformist at heart. 🐺 

Leap

Sasangasana - Rabbit Pose

The snowshoe hare changes her color from white to brown according to the season. This transformation takes 10-12 weeks. Shedding your Winter self to reveal your Summer persona takes time, an entire Season to be exact - it’s called Spring. 

Horizon

 

Prasarita Virasana — Wide Hero Pose

Keeping my eyes on the distant horizon of order and tidiness. Pink skies far ahead.

Off you go

 

Supta Virasana - Reclining Hero Pose

Clothing bags awaiting donation. My go-to attire during decades of making babies and making moves is now off to go. Fare well. What’s next?

not by faith alone

 

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana - One Legged King Pigeon Pose

 

Some days (poses!) don’t go as planned. Have unconditional trust in the divine — have FAITH. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). Faith must be demonstrated and will be tested. 

The deeper the better

Ubhaya Padangusthasana - Double Big Toe Hold

Balancing Stick

Breathe-in as deeply as possible for optimum support. Breathe-out as deeply as doable for ultimate release. The deeper the better. Then notice the many phrases your yoga teacher utters that are sexual innuendos and giggle. 🤭 

Naam

 Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana - Standing Hand to Big Toe Pose

Memorize Sanskrit names for a better yogic appreciation, understanding and practice. Commit to memory peoples’ names and enjoy better relationships, connections and, therefore, quality of life. 👯‍♀️

Family Last

Upavistha Konasana - Seated Wide Legged Forward Fold - Straddle

Hang out at home with your people pose. 

Evenings are sacred. Pick a time. Completely shut off all work (and electronics). Focus on family. Repeat daily. 

Samana Vayu

Antantasana- Side Reclining Leg Lift Pose - ‘Infinite’ Pose

SAMANA: Balance INTAKE - prana - and RELEASE - apana - with EQUAL parts IN breath and OUT breath. CALIBRATE your and your family’s days by pairing activities that require energy EXPENDITURE with those that provide and REPLENISH your energy. One and then the other, if possible. In and out. EG - a calm, silent car ride to a busy, boisterous restaurant; dinner together at the table after free and wild outdoor playtime; reading in bed post karaoke dance party. Unscheduled, luxuriant weekends to sandwich frenetic, packed weekdays.