Unexpected ~ Urdhva Dhanurasana

 

Urdhva Dhanurasana - Wheel Pose 🎡

Just lay it all on the yoga mat for the universe to figure out.  

Wrestling with my usual mommy / wifey / community conundrums, I arrived at hot yoga in a tizzy. So I just gave it all over to something greater. Immediately an unexpected course of action - to embrace what I had been rejecting - was proffered by the divine. By opting for this original possibility I then floated through the remainder of the (rife with responsibilities) day in pure peace. OM Shanti OM. Namaste.

Spring Flings ~ Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose 🐍 

SPRING - bright sun, dark clouds; high temperatures, UV rays, summer-like days, drizzle, pouring rain, sleet, hail, snow, storms, sunshine, tan-time again … and all the moods that come with it!

Cherry and Pit ~ Prasarita Padottanasana

Prasarita Padottanasana III - Wide Legged Forward Fold C

What was the cherry (peak) and what was the pit (valley) of your day? We use this as our analogy since our last name is “Kirschenbaum”, German for Cherry Tree. 🍒

When our family has been apart for the day’s working hours conquering the world, we dine together at sunset while comparing notes, but when the weekend has been seemingly endless hours of “mom”, “MOM”, “dad”, “DAD”, why not serve the children separately?

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced ~ Curtsy Lunge

 

Curtsy Lunge

Beginner poses remain the most advanced. 

Weekends Are For ~ Anjaneyasana

Anjaneyasana - exalted Low Lunge 

Journaling, self-caring, socializing, sharing, brunching, hiking, bubble baths, romantic movies, great books…. Integrating ones week may be as simple as: extra weekend sleep. 

Cocoon ~ Paschimottanasana bent legs

Paschimottanasana with bent legs - Caterpillar Pose

Can you feel it? Spring - and hence special lifestyle shifts - are just around the corner. 

😇 👿 ~ Virabhadrasana 2, raised heel and heel hold

 

Virabhadrasana II - Warrior 2, heel raised, heel hold
Yoga poses are neither ‘Good’ nor ‘Bad’.

What if we no longer deduce things, people and experiences as ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’? 

Please Utthita, Extend ~ Baddha Konasana

 

Baddha Trikonasana - Bound Triangle 

Utthita - extend - your yoga into all aspects of yourself and your life.

Today I was lamenting (as per usual) that two particular (multi-year!) commitments of mine misalign with my talents and sap time away from my passions … but bringing that yogic vibe and bright creativity to non-zen, stale situations is, actually, a very special kind of pleasure. 

Half Empty ~ Utkatasana

Utkatasana - Chair Pose, arms forward 
Pause at the end of your exhale.

May your glass be half empty! It may not be very ‘American’, but it is OK not to fill every void. 🥛 

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. 😉 

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.