Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum

Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum
Showing posts with label pranayama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pranayama. Show all posts

March 29, 2026

Yoga for Overwhelm ~ Dirga Pranayama

 

Sukhasana dirga pranayama hand on heart hand on belly yoga Yogini drawing illustration cute fun
Sukhasana - Easy Pose
A soothing check-in. Anything but ‘easy’.
Dirga Pranayama - Three Part Breath
Hand on Heart, Hand on Belly.

Sunday night panic attack? Soothe your breathless tension by planning out (only) your week ahead. 

February 27, 2026

Fundamentals ~ Sukhasana neck side stretch

Sukhasana neck side stretch easy pose pranayama cute yoga girl drawing Yogini illustration
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.

February 19, 2026

F Off ~ Setu Bandhasana

Setu Bandhasana BridgePose cute yoga illustration drawing
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. 

February 8, 2026

Bye Bye, Bra ~ Pranayama

Yoga breath cute yoga girl 3-part pranayama drawing illustration
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! 

January 20, 2026

The best 💖

 

Matsyasana fish pose with blocks asana cute drawing
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. 💕

January 16, 2026

Organic structure

 

Eva Pada Parivrtta Tadasana one legged revolved mountain pose cute drawing yoga asana
Eka Pada Parivrtta Tadasana - One Legged Revolved Mountain Pose
Eka Pada Parivrtta Tadasana - One Legged Revolved Mountain Pose

ORGANIZE your mind. 

December 6, 2025

Contemplation

Cute yoga pose drawing Parsva Anjaneyasana low lunge side bend block
Parsva Anjaneyasana - Low Lunge Side Bend Pose with block

For answers at first, revelations at last:

CONTEMPLATION sees everything, holds on to nothing. (Warning: takes years)

November 1, 2025

🦢 elegant and effective

 

Upavistha Hamsasana Swan Pose
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.

October 10, 2025

Tiger mom 🐅

Viaghrasana Tiger curl pose
Viaghrasana - Tiger Curl Pose

In order of importance:
1. State of mind.
2. Breath.
3. Asana, physical pose.
🐯 
Question: “Mom, what’s the most unhealthy thing for you?”
Response: “Hmmmm … unhealthy thoughts?”

September 20, 2025

Yoga nidra

 

Waterfall with bolster yoga asana yin yoga nidra
Waterfall with bolster

I practice yoga. Just kidding I take naps. 

July 13, 2025

Solvent 🐚

Buddha Konasana - Butterfly Pose 🦋 

It may feel inopportune (especially in social summer!) but when the appropriate resolve of a weighty decision is OBSCUREd, go inward. Alone time. NO OUTSIDE OPINIONS. Re-cocoon.  

 

June 27, 2025

Transparent

 

Savasana - Corpse Pose
 🧟‍♀️ 

Sometimes the ‘GOAL’ is a MOOD. 

June 4, 2025

So Hum


SO HUM. I am that (I am).

The beautiful and powerful SO HUM meditation — Read all about it at Banyan Botanicals - CLICK! - as I love this cosmic explanation and cannot describe it more successfully. Above is Dr Vasant Lad’s drawing DailyDoodled 🌼🌼🌼

April 29, 2025

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. 



April 23, 2025

Overstuffed

 

Upavistha Konasana - Wide-Legged Seated Foward Fold

EMPTY yourself for Spirit to enter. 

April 8, 2025

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. 🤭