Full of Life Force and Fearless | Yoga Mudra Illustration

Use prana (life force) and abhaya (fearless) mudras to stay healthy in the face of toxicity. Yoga hand gestures illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Prana and Abhaya Mudras, Hand Gestures of Life Force and Fearlessness  | Yoga Mudra Illustration 

After a long body-image and weight-loss conversation ensued with the ladies over dinner the other night, what kept rolling around in my mind later was the comment that I am “naturally thin”. If naturally thin means mindfully and painstakingly gearing every single big and small life-choice towards vibrancy and health: career, partner, location, child bearing and rearing, relationships, intimacy, movement, travel, food, daily habits of reading, listening, journaling, self-care, self-talk etc etc etc etc etc … than, yes, I suppose I am “naturally thin”. 

Camel Pose | Ustrasana | Gyan Mudra Yoga Illustration

Union with the divine - Gyan Mudra: form a gentle circle (unbroken energy loop) with the tip of index finger (individual soul) touching the tip of the thumb (supreme universal consciousness). Ustrasana, Camel Pose, with Gyan Mudra, the hand gesture of Union, illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose) with Gyan Mudra | Yoga Illustration 
I keep my eyes peeled for cotton, bamboo* or similarly soft and organic clothing in genuine colors.
 * I realize the various fibers have their advantages and shortcomings, so context must always be taken into consideration. 

No compromises on the garments you wear! Dressing is a necessity, not a frivolity. Clothing is the single layer between you and the world, it is an artistic expression and it is a significant contributor to your comfort and health. Your outfit envelopes your skin! Be wise and take great care in composing, supervising and maintaining your closet of clothing.

Core Compression is Your Secret Weapon | Yoga Strength Illustration

Draw in the ribs, cinch the hip points together, lift from deep in the lower belly and engage the pelvic floor for strong asanas, smooth vinyasas and elevated movements. Core compression drill illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Compression Drill for Core Strength | Yoga Illustration 
Outward impact begins with inner stability.

Unlock advanced poses : Deep activation for a light body and controlled movement. 

Unlock your destiny: Cultivate pure, controlled inner strength for the quiet disciplined power that keeps your life’s trajectory on course. 

Full Frog Pose | Bhekasana Yoga Illustration

Reduce your stress response with an adrenal gland massage in Bhekasana, Full Frog Pose, illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Bhekasana (Full Frog Pose) | Yoga Illustration 
Manage stress hormones and regulate insulin secretion with this adrenal and pancreatic pressure massage. 

You don’t have to quit the actual thing - just quit the imaginary things you’ve make-believed all around the thing: the worrying, the story making, the stressing … 

So Simple this Child’s Pose | Sarala Balasana Yoga Illustration

Tent your fingers to streeeetch your back. Balasana illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Balasana (Child’s Pose ) with tented fingers | Yoga Illustration 

Sarala - simple, straightforward, easy. 

Sugama: easy to access, smooth, without obstacles. 

Sukara: easily done, requiring little effort. 

Sulabha: easy to obtain, available.

When child’s pose becomes sarala, sugama, sukara, and/or sulabha how fortunate we are and how far we have come!

Resting Half Frog Pose | Vishraam Ardha Bhekasana Yoga Illustration

Vishraam Ardha Bhekasana, Resting Half Frog Pose, like all Yin yoga poses is far more potent than it lets on. Hold for at least 3-5 minutes on each side. Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Vishraam Ardha Bhekasana (Resting Half Frog Pose) | Yin Yoga Illustration 
Use props and arms to rest and reset.

“I TRUST that this matter will handle itself.” Here I am squandering my time and depleting my energy on outside nonsense and drama!! 🎭 So I YIN my yoga for the foolishness and commotion to dissolve and fade away…

Padukabandhini Asana | Shoelace Pose | Down-to-Earth Yin Yoga Illustration

Keep your hands busy to keep your heart healthy. Padukabandhini Asana aka Shoelace Pose illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Padukabandhini Asana (Shoelace Pose) | Yin Yoga Illustration
Dried and dyed pumpkin seed earrings. 🎃

Country girl: authentic, sincere, outdoorsy, hard-working, self-sufficient, resilient, community focused and practical. Country girls lead with kindness, integrity and cooperation for long term success, leadership roles and fulfilling relationships. 

Crossing the Midline - Vertical Plane | Revolved High Lunge | Yoga Illustration

Integrate your hemispheres by crossing the imaginary line that divides the left and right side of your body in poses such as this Lunge Twist illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Parivrtta Ashta Chandrasana Namaste (Revolved High Lunge Pose with Hands to Heart Center) | Yoga Illustration
Midline crossing (the vertical plane, here) is a regular occurrence in Yoga Practice.

Just as my 1st grader’s teacher is examining and strengthening the class’s ability to cross the midline, I, too, am continuously crossing the vertical plane each AM in yoga in order to fire on all cylinders (rehabilitate my mind), and restore wholeness (reunite my two sides). 

Seated Straddle Pose | Upavistha Konasana Yoga Illustration

Tilt the pelvis to neutralize the spine; for this pose to be remotely possible, I sit on the edge of a cushion or folded blanket and tip my tailbone up before hinging forward. Seated Wide Angle Forward Bend Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle Forward Bend) | Yoga Illustration 

At ages 40 to 50 we are at the peak and in the refinement process of the Grihastha, Householder stage of life (25 years to 50 years) where career, marriage, home and society is the ultimate testing ground for the soul! Enter KarmaYoga - selfless action. We cannot pause life for spirituality, so we treat our duties as sacred and labor passionately without attachment to the fruits. Under the crushing weight of responsibility we set ourselves free. 🐜 

Bound Extended Side Angle Pose | Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana Yoga Illustration

You may not enjoy the pose, but you can own the pose. Bound extended side angle pose illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana (Bound Extended Side Angle Pose) Yoga Illustration 

Stop tolerating, start owning: holding an uncomfortable yoga position longer than desired is how we practice our gritty life skills in the smooth yoga studio. 

Seated Meditation | Dhyana Mudra Asana | Yoga Illustration

Solve all of your problems with yoga! Dhyana Mudra Asana (Seated Meditation with the triangular, inner-peace, hand gesture) by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Dhyana Mudra Asana | Seated Meditation | Yoga Illustration 
Hands make a triangle.

FYI: The unlimited yoga benefits are equally enjoyed by yogis with a limited pose repertoire. 

Side Stretch | Ballet Barre Illustration

Come and get your humility at the yoga studio! Side stretch at the ballet barre illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Side stretch at the ballet barre illustration.

By practicing yoga regularly we aim to accept ourselves exactly as we are, in order to accept others exactly as they are (and the world exactly as it is.) 🎁

Cow Face Pose | Gomukhasana | Brahmacharya Yoga Illustration

Brahmacharya: self-restraint, moderation, and the wise use of your vital energy - away from external desires and compulsive habits! - to move closer to the divine. Gomukhasana, Cow Face Pose, by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose) | Brahmacharya Yoga Illustration 

My Brahmacharya: a Shopping Fast*. A Shopping Fast’s greatest attribute is not the financial savings, but reclamation of one’s most precious resource - time. In order to reap this benefit: no browsing (in-person and, especially, online)! 

Cease the useless waste of physical and emotional energy by seriously considering and practicing Brahmacharya, the yogic Yama of restraint. 

*Attempted Shopping Fast; a shopping fast is a personal, ongoing, ambitious objective. 

Awkward Pose | Utkatasana on Tip Toes Yoga Illustration

Awkward pose on tip toes demands enhanced balance, stability and strength. We build these qualities in the Bikram or Hot Yoga studio in order show up mightily for our fellow mortals off of the mat. Utkatasana Illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Mighty Utkatasana (Awkward Pose) on Tip Toes | Yoga Illustration 

We are here to serve, not to be served. 

Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose | Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana Yoga Illustration

HOT YOGA is your FACIAL 😊. Sweat for beauty in Bikram Yoga. Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana, Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose, illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum .

Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana (Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose) | Yoga Illustration 

The Post-Yoga Glow is not a myth 😉.

Shoulder Stand | Sarvangasana Yoga Illustration

Yoga for hair health! Increase blood flow and refresh blood quality to the scalp with inversions. Shoulderstand illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) | Yoga Illustration 
‘Mother of All Asanas’ by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum 

Yoga takes care of it all - even your tresses. For an enviable mane - head to your yoga studio to recalibrate your hormones, lower your stress, invert your blood flow (stretch your heart muscles), massage your head (rejuvenate your brain) and your ‘coat’ will surely show it. Also, the yogis know all of the natural tricks long before they become mainstream (Castor Oil, Scalp Massagers…) hang out at the Shala long enough and you’ll be sure to pick them up. 

Waterfall Pose with Block | Viparita Karani Yoga Illustration

Yoga is your facelift. Viparita Karani (Waterfall) or any pose where your heart is higher than your head will induce blood flow for a beautiful glow. Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Viparita Karani (Waterfall Pose with a Block) | Yoga Illustration 
Place a block under your sacrum and let the facial magic happen. ✨ 

Inversions lift the spirits and your face; reverse gravity and turn back time with Yoga. 

Wheel Pose | Chakrasana Yoga Illustration

In Yoga we aren’t working with principals and ideals, but physical experiences and tangible results. One-Legged Upward Facing Bow Pose (Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana) illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Chakrasana or Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose, One Legged Upward Facing Bow Pose) | Yoga Illustration 
Satya, Truth and Ahimsa, Non-harming: two of the five Yamas, Ethical Rules.

Yoga: action and results, not just theory. 

Goddess Pose on Tip Toes | Utkata Konasana Yoga Illustration

Slender, lean, and light is a mindset; yoga gives you that mindset. Goddess Pose has infinite arm variations, illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Utkata Konasana (Goddess Pose) | Yoga Illustration 
Lift the heels, dance the arms.

Yoga resets your original settings, which include healthy, active, carefree and open. 

Eight Angle Pose | Astavakrasana Yoga Illustration

Compose complex yoga poses (such as Eight Angle Pose), not a complex life. Astavakrasana Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Astavakrasana (Eight Angle Pose) | Yoga Illustration 

So many Labor Day sales - Hesitating? Purchase nothing. Newness is not the answer. More is not better.