Surfer Lunge | Skandasana Yoga Illustration

Movement stretches you from the outside in, while breath stretches you from the inside out. Sultry Skandasana, or Surfer’s Low Lunge, illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum. 

Skandasana (Surfer Lunge) | Yoga Illustration 

💃 Macarena to Makarasana 🐊

 

Makarasana - Crocodile Pose 🐊 
To prevent falling asleep, lay your forehead on your forearms in Makarasana.
Relax deeply into diaphragmatic breathing,

Post-trip / post-event / post-big-life-moment blues? 💙 Deep relaxation will absorb all that you have learned and gained from the experience. Become transformed and changed by the standout parts of your life’s story by pausing (in this prone position). Crocodile pose will relieve tension, calm the nerves and promote restoration. 

Yoga for Overwhelm ~ Dirga Pranayama

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. 

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.

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. 

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! 

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. 

Contemplation

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)

🦢 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.

Tiger mom 🐅

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?”

Yoga nidra

 

Waterfall with bolster

I practice yoga. Just kidding I take naps. 

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.  

 

Transparent

 

Savasana - Corpse Pose

 🧟‍♀️ 

Sometimes the ‘GOAL’ is a MOOD. 

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 🌼🌼🌼

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. 

Overstuffed

 

Upavistha Konasana - Wide-Legged Seated Foward Fold

EMPTY yourself for Spirit to enter. 

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. 🤭