Witch’s foot: connection to the supernatural & a need for spiritual protection

 

Tadasana - Mountain Pose
Let us focus on our feet and hand health. Open, close and activate the fingers. Lift, spread and control the movement of the toes.  

Somehow I have been rolling onto the outside edges of my feet when I walk these days. Upon further investigation it was brought to my attention that ‘witch’s foot’ is from forging my own path and going my own way. Guilty as charged! But pain there suggests extreme self-protection: guardedness and detachment (from the mainstream). AKA taking my individuality too far?

 PS: Excessive supination can also be exacerbated from muscle strengthening.

Cookies, socks and winter activities - oh my 😝

Parsva Urdhva Hastasana - Upward Salute Side Bend Pose
Can you straighten your arms? All the way?

I am back in the kitchen with verve baking up a storm once again. Is it my new “easy bake oven” (air fryer)? Or the fact that my youngest is now three and slightly less underfoot? It is both I am sure, and other factors, too. (Chilly weather💨.) Whatever it is sparking my creative joy, I will run with it…as do my children and so should you! 🍪

Brownies, banana bread, oatmeal raisin balls, yogurt cake, sugar cookies, cream cheese frosting… biscuits, french fries, quiche, pigs in a blanket, pizza, grilled cheese, quesadillas, roasted (air fried) everything and the list goes on… I kid you not, these kids actually expect me to feed them EVERY DAY!!! 🤪

My daughter knits socks.  🧶 🧦 For MY feet. 😍🥰

& these adorable and refreshing Gen Alpha kids also sing, tinker on the piano, play violin, craft, craft, craft and, obviously, level-up our nestle chips. 🎻🌸🎉

Ladybug

 

Bhujapidasana - Insect Pose, Shoulder Press Pose. A mini floaty for confidence in poses that fly. 🐞 

Start somewhere.

Then refine.

Upgrade eventually.

Hit the wall

 

Bunny Hops Handstand Preparation 🐇

Arm balances are, for me, “you can have it all, just not all at once.” Some come easy most of the time, many are insurmountable some of the time…

This is where THE WALL comes in. I get in that back row and sidle on up close to the wall, so I may feel all the thrill, freedom and benefit of flying inverted (with an extra stretch, might I add,) while being unconditionally supported by that big, strong vertical assist. 

No namasana

 

Standing Fire Hydrant Poses - it will feel like all of a sudden, (but it is, in fact, 1.5 years of regularity with your habit!) that you feel one (little) level stronger.

Standing fire hydrant pose? Poses with no names welcome.  

Acknowledge and celebrate consistency and progress with more consistency and more progress. 

Shop; but not for polyester

 

Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana - Standing Splits Pose with flair.

Two thoughts to carry you through the weekend : ☝️ Let your yoga be silky (and not polyestery 😜). ✌️If you like to shop - as I do - become better at getting rid of things. 🎀💕🎈

Doodlers love doodles

🌈Tadasana Hindolasana - Standing Cradle Pose. Just here being my embellished self. 🎀🐯🎄  

How we do one thing is how we do everything. One look in my cabinet and I had to laugh - a collection of drawings on both my shelf stable household items and my perishables…

Everything must have doodly drawings in HappyGoLuckyILoveCreativityWithColor&PatternAstridLand.

Or sell yourself short

 

Dandayama Janu Sirsasana - Standing Head to Knee Pose

Dandayama Janu Sirsasana is most common in HOT yoga practiced at 105 degrees Fahrenheit with 40% humidity. 

Progressing from where you currently are (yoga, life…) may require that you OVEREXTEND yourself. 

Play to stretch yourself

 

Eka Pada Sarvangasana - One Legged Shoulder Stand Pose 
Get upside down and get playful.

Get upside down and then play with arm and leg variations (regardless of what is ‘correct’ or cued).

Up 🎈

 

Ustrasana - Camel Pose for when I’m in need of a pick-me-up.🎈

Ustrasana and other heart openers: a pick-you-UP for life’s inescapable little downs.

Like a kiddo yoga

 

Salamba Sirsasana - since I was little, I always loved a tripod headstand.

Salamba Sirsasana - Tripod Headstand 

If you like a certain variation of a pose (tripod makes me feel like a kid again,) practice that version. You don’t have to master every single asana under the sun - a smaller collection can be your signature. 

Show up

 

Viparita Virabhadrasa - Reverse Warrior Pose

Viparita Virabhadrasana - Reverse Warrior Pose

You reeeeeeally have to reeeeeeeach the back hand down the leg — and it is nooooot easy.

Handsy 🤝

 

Parivrtta Baddha Konasana - Bound Revolved Chair Pose

Parivrtta Baddha Konasana - Bound Revolved Chair Pose

Some days you can’t be so ginger and you really have to crank that self adjustment.💫

The best 💖

 

Matsyasana - Fish Pose, with blocks

Matsyasana - Fish Pose, with blocks

💝 Crack your heart open. 💝

The best way to start your morning (5:45am in the studio) is with a block on middle height running vertically between the shoulders along the spine and a block at the highest height positioned horizontally under (the base of) your head. 💕

Organic structure

 

Eka Pada Parivrtta Tadasana - One Legged Revolved Mountain Pose

Eka Pada Parivrtta Tadasana - One Legged Revolved Mountain Pose

ORGANIZE your mind. 

Groupie

 

Parivrtta Ashtachandrasana - Revolved High Lunge Pose

Parivrtta Ashtachandrasana - Revolved High Lunge Pose

Thank you, organized schedules of endless options for classes. 

When it comes to working out, I am a group gal. 🏋️‍♀️ 

Unshowy

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana - Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana - Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose

 Clean, meticulous, unshowy.

Works every time 🎐

Marichyasana - Bound Seated / Sage Twist

Marichyasana - Bound Seated / Sage Twist

Often your yoga teacher will cue intention setting at the beginning of class. This is an excellent time to ask the cosmos a question - you’ll have your answer by the end of the hour. 🎐

Sick of it

Viparita Karani - Legs Up the Wall Pose

Viparita Karani - Legs Up the Wall Pose

Yoga for nausea - calm the nervous system. 

It is so complicated let us discuss it ad nauseam and get nowhere?! Let’s not: the truth will feel effortless. 

Victory pack

 

Vrksasana -  Tree Pose while auditioning clothes (yes, sparkle pink is coming with!). 🌸

Vrksasana - Tree Pose

TRY ON ALL clothing and accessories, if possible, when packing for a trip - dressing well is a feeling, literally.