Infinite

Ardha Padma Anantasana - Reclined Half Lotus Pose

Kubera Mudra for focused intention 

Sacrificing for your dream. Some days I look around (at my little life) and I feel overtaken with awe and immensely ‘blessed’. So much so, that the beauty of it can feel precarious (“too good to be true, so much to lose!”). But, as my husband elucidates, this life did not appear out of nowhere - myriads of sacrifices (countless other possibilities passed up) befalls when we make each choice. We are choosing one of infinite. So when the bliss is so joyous we panic, remember we had our hand in this; these are the steady and continuous - unprecarious - fruits of our labor. 🍇 

🦢 elegant and effective

 

Upavistha Hamsasana - Sitting Swan Pose

Both graceful and effective. 

Weekends are the necessary outbreath to your week’s extended and exaggerated inbreath. Keep your weekends 1. Nourishing 2. Restful 3. Warm. 🧤🧦🪶

Wholesome nature-based activities nourish the soul. 

Warm with Fire and Water (food and clothing).

Movement can be restful; rather than planning a ‘hike’, step right outside your door.

Have an approach that is lighthearted and buoyant.

Destroyer of all diseases

 

Matsyasana - Fish Pose

Reduce stiffness in shoulders and neck. Improve posture. Balance the thyroid.

Self-compassionate healing après over-giving. 

What fresh hell is this?

Supta Baddha Konasana - Reclining Bound Angle 

With a bolster, two blocks and blankets.

OH the sheer agony of caring for the family and tending to the home while feeling unwell. We know it from periods, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, traumatic or sad events, the common cold, chronic illness, heartache, heartbreak and beyond. There is no relief to be found. My personal solution? Complain (and blame) loudly and incessantly until someone (my husband) tells me they feel sorry for me and then all is a little bit more right in my world - merci beaucoup, dankeschön. 

20 toes

Prapadasana - Toe Stand, practice

The exponential power 💥 of collaborating with your friends and the unlimited learning opportunities 🤓 of working with those unfamiliar. 

Date Night 🍾

 

Parsva Bakasana - Side Crow Pose

Tension as an opportunity for connection; turn your least favorite day into one you look forward to.🍾

Yang

 

Viparita Virabhadrasana- Reverse Warrior Pose

Give us your deepest, strongest versions of your poses. No excuses. If not NOW, at Summer’s end, then when?

Mirror rorriM

Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose arms wide 🐍 

When we lessen our own material requirements, (persistently removing those pesky impulses and cravings one-at-a-time,) the incessant worldly demands of our children (and other household members) no longer vex us, as the mirror aspect is removed. 🪞 

XS enough to schlep XXL loads.

with Pleasure - avec Plaisir

 Camatkarasana - Wild Thing

What do you DESIRE (to wear, eat, do, see, be) TODAY?

Symbiosis

 

Relationships with our children can be mutualistically symbiotic (both parties benefiting from the interaction), in which case they are heavenly. Of course, much of the time we must accept as parents that the symbiosis will feel parasitical (children rule, we drool), or commensal (they thrive, we status quo), at best.

🌹Mutualistically Symbiotic, of course 😘 

Less zealous

Taking NOTES from the MEN (who have fewer options and less zealous marketing). 

1. Pockets! - Perhaps even forgo a purse. 😱

2. Dresses and skirts (while they so contentedly stick with pants and shorts). 

3. Fewer colors. 

4. SMALLER CLOSETS. 

5. Denim.

 

Luvin

 

Urdhva Dhanurasana -  Wheel Pose (her) 

Ardha Purvottanasana - Reverse Table Top (him)

Couples are yoga 🤎

Summer is next, my sweet friends!!

Easy

 

Parivrtta Sukhasana - Easy Twist, Seated Twist, Simple Cross-legged Twist

Couples are yoga 💕

Yes, the answer is kindness. 

After you

Phalakasana, Kumbhakasana, Utthita Chaturanga Dandasana - High Plank Pose

Couples are yoga 💙

Kumbhakasana - breath retention. Hold your breath BRIEFLY before lowering into push-up position, Chaturanga Dandasana. Outside the studio, pause only temporarily before committing to a decision. And TAKE TURNS with your other half, arbitrating according to your particular strengths. This is what partnership is for. 
 

Mast

 

Dandasana- Staff Pose (him) / Sirsasana - Handstand (Her)

Couples are yoga 🧡

Note to self - learning a handstand means actually practicing a handstand. The grass is greener and softer in Summer - enlist your partner and get to practicing al fresco. 

Fantastic

 

Balasana - Child’s Pose (him) / Supta Utthita Tadasana - Reclined Mountain (her)

Couples are yoga.

Small hints are big messages. Catch wind of a minor suggestion (from your beloved) and take it seriously; act expeditiously and then revel in real life as it becomes better than fantasy. 🏔️ 

Primary

 

Couples are yoga. 

Marriage - spirits dance, souls melt. 

😈 advocate 👿

 

Sirsasana - Headstand

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

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! 

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? 🤷‍♀️