Vacation Yoga ~ Push-Ups

 

Chaturanga - Low Plank

While on holiday, I’m one to skip any organized exercise all together and opt solely for playful movement. Another option is simple pushups, sit-ups and squats first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. 

Yogini Ninja Warrior ~ Sukhasana Side Stretch

Sukhasana - Easy Pose side bend
Black is not especially flattering for a fair blonde, but is nonetheless highly practical in the studio.
Let the ninja-esqueness of all black be a conduit in your practice.

Ninja: stealth, agile, acrobatic, strong, observant, attentive, disciplined, stoic, tough, adaptable, resourceful, self-aware.

Channel (your version of) a ninja. 

Yogini : master, mystic, goddess. (My version of a ninja.)

3 Wishes ✨ ~ Side Plank variation Floating Leg

Vasisthasana - Side Plank variation Floating Leg

Wishing for an organized mind, lithe body, and stellar soul? Your wish is Yoga’s command.

Not Just Pretty ~ Plow Pose Variation 3rd Eye 👁️

Halasana - Plow Pose variation Knees to Third Eye 👁️ 

Radiant Beauty is a yoga byproduct. Enjoy. ☺️ 

Self Massage ~ Utthita Parsvakonasana

Utthita Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle Pose

With familiarity through exposure, background and skill, yoga becomes self massage. 

Try Harder!!!!! 😜 ~ Drinking Bird

 

Drinking Bird from Chair Pose with Airplane arms
Liiiiift those heels. More!

You can always liiiiift those heels, reeeeeach those arms, beeeeend those knees, and ooooopen that heart a little more. 💜 

Digitize ~ Prapadasana Variation

Prapadasana - Toe Stand Variation

I may be an old-schooler, but, resistance is not a virtue. Embrace the changing world and digitize (but also streamline and organize your cyberspace). 

(Water) Ski Season ~ Utkata Konasana

Utkata Konasana - Goddess Pose

 Strong legs are imperative for (water) ski season. 

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. 😉 

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 😬).

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! 

Full Intensity ~ Prasarita Padottanasana

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

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. 

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. 

Show up

Viparita Virabhadrasa - Reverse Warrior Pose

Viparita Virabhadrasana - Reverse Warrior Pose

You reeeeeeally have to reeeeeeeach the back hand down the leg — and it is nooooot easy.

Groupie

Parivrtta Ashtachandrasana - Revolved High Lunge Pose

Parivrtta Ashtachandrasana - Revolved High Lunge Pose

Thank you, organized schedules of endless options for classes. 

When it comes to working out, I am a group gal. 🏋️‍♀️ 

Unshowy

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana - Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana - Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose

 Clean, meticulous, unshowy.

Victory pack

 

Vrksasana -  Tree Pose while auditioning clothes (yes, sparkle pink is coming with!). 🌸

Vrksasana - Tree Pose

TRY ON ALL clothing and accessories, if possible, when packing for a trip - dressing well is a feeling, literally. 

Dress like he’s your Ex

 

Parsva Anjaneyasana - Low Lunge Pose Side Bend