Warm-up and progression brings Urdhva Padmasana within one’s reach. Upward Lotus Pose Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
![]() |
| Urdhva Padmasana (Upward Lotus Pose) | Yoga Illustration |
Tilt the pelvis to neutralize the spine; for this pose to be remotely possible, I sit on the edge of a cushion or folded blanket and tip my tailbone up before hinging forward. Seated Wide Angle Forward Bend Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
At ages 40 to 50 we are at the peak and in the refinement process of the Grihastha, Householder stage of life (25 years to 50 years) where career, marriage, home and society is the ultimate testing ground for the soul! Enter KarmaYoga - selfless action. We cannot pause life for spirituality, so we treat our duties as sacred and labor passionately without attachment to the fruits. Under the crushing weight of responsibility we set ourselves free. đYou may not enjoy the pose, but you can own the pose. Bound extended side angle pose illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
| Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana (Bound Extended Side Angle Pose) Yoga Illustration |
Stop tolerating, start owning: holding an uncomfortable yoga position longer than desired is how we practice our gritty life skills in the smooth yoga studio.
Solve all of your problems with yoga! Dhyana Mudra Asana (Seated Meditation with the triangular, inner-peace, hand gesture) by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
| Dhyana Mudra Asana | Seated Meditation | Yoga Illustration Hands make a triangle. |
FYI: The unlimited yoga benefits are equally enjoyed by yogis with a limited pose repertoire.
Awkward pose on tip toes demands enhanced balance, stability and strength. We build these qualities in the Bikram or Hot Yoga studio in order show up mightily for our fellow mortals off of the mat. Utkatasana Illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
| Mighty Utkatasana (Awkward Pose) on Tip Toes | Yoga Illustration |
We are here to serve, not to be served.
HOT YOGA is your FACIAL đ. Sweat for beauty in Bikram Yoga. Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana, Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose, illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum .
| Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana (Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose) | Yoga Illustration |
The Post-Yoga Glow is not a myth đ.
Yoga is your facelift. Viparita Karani (Waterfall) or any pose where your heart is higher than your head will induce blood flow for a beautiful glow. Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
| Viparita Karani (Waterfall Pose with a Block) | Yoga Illustration Place a block under your sacrum and let the facial magic happen. ✨ |
Inversions lift the spirits and your face; reverse gravity and turn back time with Yoga.
You can tell a lot about a yogi by how they unroll and re-roll their yoga mat (or not!). Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.
![]() |
| (Un)Roll Your Yoga Mat Asana | Yoga Illustration It’s the first and last pose in every yoga class! |