Please Utthita, Extend - Baddha Konasana

 

Baddha Trikonasana - Bound Triangle 

Utthita - extend - your yoga into all aspects of yourself and your life.

Today I was lamenting (as per usual) that two particular (multi-year!) commitments of mine misalign with my talents and sap time away from my passions … but bringing that yogic vibe and bright creativity to non-zen, stale situations is, actually, a very special kind of pleasure. 

The Goal Is You - Vajrasana ⚡️

Vajrasana - Thunderbolt Pose
Remember You? When you are You - life is fun and funny as it is meant to be!

Spending time with someone who is completely, unapologetically themselves invites us to be a little bit more genuine and original, too. 

Half Empty - Utkatasana

Utkatasana - Chair Pose, arms forward 
Pause at the end of your exhale.

May your glass be half empty! It may not be very ‘American’, but it is OK not to fill every void. 🥛 

Sweat It - Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana

 

Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana - Three Legged Downward Facing Dog Pose
& Drop to the forearm opposite the lifted bent leg - hurts so good.

Make it hurt a little, sweat a lot, and then take it easy for the rest of the day. 😉 

Fundamentals - Sukhasana neck side stretch

Sukhasana - Easy Pose, Neck Side Stretch
Underlying everything - Pranayama is to yoga what attitude is to life.

My children’s Waldorf school aligns with the very essence of how (and with whom) I believe they should be spending their days; and the details of our life are worked around the decision to have them there.

Ordination ~ Ardha Eka Pada Galavasana

Ardha Eka Pada Galavasana - Baby / Half Flying Pigeon Pose

What feels good with the floating leg?

We must forgo 80% of everything (we do, own, don, desire etc.) if we would like a ‘signature’ anything, and much more if ‘iconic’ is the desired ordination.

Reality Check ~ Eka Pada Galavasana

 

Eka Pada Galavasana
Fan your toes in flying pigeon pose.

Upon opening my uber organized ‘tooth care drawer’ to fetch my Sonicare’s charger, it hit me (again): “how can one person need/have so much stuff?” I have been in my fancy Colorado family bubble for some time now and register that I am in need of a reality check or shake up, but am not sure where or how that will happen…

Cotton? Linen? Silk? Spandex! ~ Ardha Kapotasana

 

Ardha Kapotasana - Half Pigeon Pose
Fly free with any clothing and all accessories.

How about not ‘yoga clothes’ for yoga. (Although I get it - cotton is heavy when wet and slow to dry!) 🤔 

Perfect Form ~ Manduka Malasana

 

Manduka Malasana - Frog Garland Pose Squat
Playful, with movement: childlike.

Some days are not (at all!) perfect your form days. 

Leapfrog ~ Mandukasana

 

Mandukasana - Frog Pose

Become confident in life’s big challenges by taking little risks in yoga class.

Pre et Après ~ Ardha Kapotasana

 

Ardha Kapotasana - Half Pigeon Pose

Pre or après (ski) body love. 🎿 🩵💛🩷

Stretch for Success ~ Skandasana

 

Skandasana - Skiiers Lunge

Parents: we are elite athletes - yoga, stretch and strengthen, daily for mental clarity and to avoid injury.

F Off ~ Setu Bandhasana

Setu Bandhasana - Bridge Pose
RX For your fatigue.

It is unwise and misguided to permanently rely on one’s therapist, friend, parent, spouse… —  yoga is always there for us. 

Pining 🌲 Vrksasana

Vrksasana - Tree Pose

This was my favorite pose for many years when I first discovered the practice of yoga in my University days.

Upon completion of an insanely hectic week, it is natural to pine for the long-gone, youthful lingering days of nothingness, but, sigh, those days are decidedly behind us thanks to making our dreams come true.

Early Riser ~ Virabhadrasana II

Virabhadrasana II - Warrior 2 Pose

Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutation

To each era its own rhythm and organization: I may rise at 5am regularly now, but I was not astir so early when I frequently awoke throughout the night with bébés - or in my twenties with other motives and goals!

Snake Oil 🐍 Malasana

Malasana - Garland Pose, Low Squat, reaching forward
Self-actualize.

Watch your step - it is (almost) all snake oil out there. I say be (very) skeptical of any THING or ANYONE - “authority, expert” - OUTSIDE of yourself promising YOUR self improvement; only the self can self-actualize.

LBD NBD ~ Koundinyasana II

 

Koundinyasana II - Flying Splits Pose 2, Preparation
Pausing here often during Vinyasa.
This is an accurate representation of what I generally wear to yoga: dark leggings, a lightweight, medium tone half-length undertank, and a looser (often grey) soft top tucked in.
With a rose quartz colored cotton mat.

Color TONALITY is important when dressing - take into account how much CONTRAST you do or do not have regarding your skin, eyes, and hair (and shade changes due to age, health status, tanned skin, sun-kissed tresses …). 

Hint: Not everyone looks great in black. 🌞 🖤

Poise ~ Ashta Chandrasana

Ashta Chandrasana - High Lunge, arms extended forward 
Let us train for the strength and control to improve our posture. 

By refining our physical comportment we will, in turn, upgrade numerous facets of our lives (or so I have been told 😉… still a sloucher over here 😬).

Parent Handbook ~ Utthita Parsva Konasana

 

Utthita Parsva Konasana - Extended Side Angle Pose
You are right - it is not easy. 

Parenting is the epitome of primal living. It is unyieldingly petrifying, thrilling and rewarding. Good luck! 🍀 

Vinyasa ~ Vasisthasana

 

Vasisthasana Vinyasa - Side Plank Dance
🪩 Move in vinyasa manner to find your groove; embrace certain elements (and omit others) to make the practice your own. ☃️ 

❄️❤️Combine the things you love.❤️❄️

Noisy ~ Halasana

 

Halasana - Plow Pose
Quiet.

I am going deaf. Food noise, supplement noise, workout noise, cosmetics and aesthetics noise - let us tune out, turn OFF, ALL of the so-called health and beauty advice.

Flavors ~ Vasisthasana Janu

Vasisthasana Janu - Side Plank Pose on Knees

With endless iterations of every asana, get a sampling through your vinyasa - move fluidly through numerous variations to discover a new flavor.🍦 

Dip, dip, dip, FRY, bake…
Crispy chicken tenders are THE crowd pleaser - so triple the recipe!!!

Always playing with homemade frosting. 🧁 

Passion ~ Vasisthasana Padmasana

 

Vasisthasana Padmasana - Side Plank Bound Half Lotus

 Jealousy as a clue when excavating your passion. 🔭 ⛏️

Bye Bye, Bra ~ Pranayama

I wore a more traditional bralette today for my AM movement and, boy, did I regret it. It was sweet with lace, constructed from organic cotton and seemed benign enough, but I was suffocating by the hours end with that tight-ish band encircling my ribcage and constricting my lung expansion, I couldn’t wait to rip it off (and toss it out)!

‘Burn’ any BRA that restricts - strangles! - your diaphragm. Wear soft, little camisoles without the throttling punishment of asphyxiation, or simply go bare, and fully breathe in life once again! 

Stuck in the Middle with You ~ Parsva Upavistha Konasana

Parsva Upavistha Konasana - Seated Side Straddle Pose
Your way or it’s just a fake way.

Who you are is how you lead and your strengths of character are applicable in any situation - just bring your best self (and in my case, a hand written note). 💌

Full Intensity ~ Prasarita Padottanasana

 

Prasarita Padottanasana - Wide Legged Forward Fold, “Intense” Leg Stretch Pose
So make it intense.

What Are You? ~ Upavistha Konasana

 

Upavistha Konasana - Seated Straddle Pose with block
Force and berate yourself for what you cannot do in order to stay stagnant and stuck (and, possibly, injured.)

You cannot be everything, you will have to pick and choose — and the sooner the better (besides, it isn’t written in stone — at least, not yet). ☠️ 👻

🌈Arc🧚‍♀️ Parsvottanasana

 

Parsvottanasana - Pyramid Pose
I am having a ‘put your head down and work’ type of week. 

🌈The rhythm of the day, the arc of the week, the ebb and flow of the month, and the seasons of the year. Looking ahead and zooming out at your calendar is how you are able to ‘put your head down’ and (enjoy) work(ing) unremittingly - because you plan (and look forward to) when you’ll be coming up for air. 👙⛵️🌞

Mow.

Mow some more.

Completely clear out 4 bedrooms.

Daily lunch for 4.

Witch’s Foot: Connection to the Supernatural & a Need for Spiritual Protection ~ Tadasana

 

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

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

 

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

Start somewhere.

Then refine.

Upgrade eventually.

Hit the Wall ~ Handstand Preparation

 

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. 

Shop; but Not for Polyester ~ Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana

 

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. 🎀💕🎈

No Namasana ~ Fire Hydrant Pose

 

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. 

Doodlers Love Doodles ~ Tadasana Hindolasana

🌈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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

🌺💕🌺💕🌺

 

Raspberry Silk ensemble a la Coniglio Palm Beach.

Always question, refine and transform your personal style: clothing, food and shelter.