Perfect Form ~ Manduka Malasana

 

Manduka Malasana - Frog Garland Pose Squat
Playful, with movement: childlike.

Some days are not (at all!) perfect your form days. 

Stretch for Success ~ Skandasana

 

Skandasana - Skiiers Lunge

Parents: we are elite athletes - yoga, stretch and strengthen, daily for mental clarity and to avoid injury.

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. 

Pining 🌲 Vrksasana

Vrksasana - Tree Pose

This was my favorite pose for many years when I first discovered the practice of yoga in my University days.

Upon completion of an insanely hectic week, it is natural to pine for the long-gone, youthful lingering days of nothingness, but, sigh, those days are decidedly behind us thanks to making our dreams come true.

Early Riser ~ Virabhadrasana II

Virabhadrasana II - Warrior 2 Pose

Surya Namaskar - Sun Salutation

To each era its own rhythm and organization: I may rise at 5am regularly now, but I was not astir so early when I frequently awoke throughout the night with bébés - or in my twenties with other motives and goals!

Full Intensity ~ Prasarita Padottanasana

 

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

🌈Arc🧚‍♀️ Parsvottanasana

 

Parsvottanasana - Pyramid Pose
I am having a ‘put your head down and work’ type of week. 

🌈The rhythm of the day, the arc of the week, the ebb and flow of the month, and the seasons of the year. Looking ahead and zooming out at your calendar is how you are able to ‘put your head down’ and (enjoy) work(ing) unremittingly - because you plan (and look forward to) when you’ll be coming up for air. 👙⛵️🌞

Mow.

Mow some more.

Completely clear out 4 bedrooms.

Daily lunch for 4.

Witch’s Foot: Connection to the Supernatural & a Need for Spiritual Protection ~ Tadasana

 

Tadasana - Mountain Pose
Let us focus on our feet and hand health. Open, close and activate the fingers. Lift, spread and control the movement of the toes.  

Somehow I have been rolling onto the outside edges of my feet when I walk these days. Upon further investigation it was brought to my attention that ‘witch’s foot’ is from forging my own path and going my own way. Guilty as charged! But pain there suggests extreme self-protection: guardedness and detachment (from the mainstream). AKA taking my individuality too far?

 PS: Excessive supination can also be exacerbated from muscle strengthening.

Hit the Wall ~ Handstand Preparation

 

Bunny Hops Handstand Preparation 🐇

Arm balances are, for me, “you can have it all, just not all at once.” Some come easy most of the time, many are insurmountable some of the time…

This is where THE WALL comes in. I get in that back row and sidle on up close to the wall, so I may feel all the thrill, freedom and benefit of flying inverted (with an extra stretch, might I add,) while being unconditionally supported by that big, strong vertical assist. 

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. 

Up 🎈Ustrasana

 

Ustrasana - Camel Pose for when I’m in need of a pick-me-up.🎈

Ustrasana and other heart openers: a pick-you-UP for life’s inescapable little downs.

Handsy 🤝

 

Parivrtta Baddha Konasana - Bound Revolved Chair Pose

Parivrtta Baddha Konasana - Bound Revolved Chair Pose

Some days you can’t be so ginger and you really have to crank that self adjustment.💫

Class act

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana - Standing Hand to Big Toe Pose

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana - Standing Hand to Big Toe Pose

Give and take; take the blame, give the praise. 

Unshowy

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana - Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana - Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose

 Clean, meticulous, unshowy.

5th Chakra

Matsyasana Padmasana - Fish Pose Lotus Variation 🪷 

Matsyasana Padmasana - Fish Pose Lotus Variation 

💙Vishuddha - 5th chakra - Throat Chakra.💙

🩵Finding your authentic voice, creativity and integrity.🩵

Try-not-to-cough Asana: during some (a handful at most, hopefully) yoga classes all you are doing is trying not to cough. And on those days that is more than enough.💗

“Happy New Year”

Natarajasana - Dancer Pose beauty 🦢 

Natarajasana - Dancer Pose

“Happy New Year”: Buried alive in the bustling routine of family life, I find myself awkward, unprepared, and downright stumped when presented with normal adult socializing and interacting. When in debilitating doubt, which I currently am (obvious names, places, and details completely eluding my overcrowded brain), just BE KIND (not witty or smart or most accomplished or pageant beautiful). Simply begin with an easygoing “Happy New Year” and do not shy away, because a second chance - another opportunity to connect - may not present itself in the near future. 

Observe

 

Malasana - Garland Pose starry ⭐️ bubbly 🫧 lovey 💕 dovey 🕊️ 

Malasana - Garland Pose

Sit back and watch the frenzied, delirious world do its thing whilst you do peaceful, casual yours. 

Buttermilk snow bunnies gone disco crazy 🐰 🪩 

Jingle all the way 🔔 

🌫️ Fog lifts 🪽

 

Utthita Ashta Sanchalasana - Runner’s Lunge Pose in eclectic, collected woolen long johns.

Utthita Ashwa Sanchalasana - Runner’s Lunge Pose

Easylike

Big (holiday, travel) emotions have bubbled to the top, then, mercifully, dissipated into thin  air. 🫧 

Stop spinning your wheels 😵‍💫

 

Intense Shoulder Stretch on a cotton Yoga Rug, which is just so much better than a plastic mat.

Intense Shoulder Stretch

“Do less, observe more, enjoy most!” - Magda Gerber

Days 6 and 7

 

Ardha Uttanasana - Half Forward Fold ⬆️ influencer outfit and mistletoe hair. 💋 

Ardha Uttanasana - Half Forward Fold

Weekends are to be worry free. 🩶