Cat Eye Sunnies under the tree

The Daily Doodle: Kourtney Kardashian in her cat eye sunglasses. I ruefully dabble in the show for the sake of its forward thinking fashion.

I'm dreaming of a nude Christmas

The Daily Doodle: Such pretty style. I love nude, I adore Nicole's look, I'm into the low pony, silver eyes, barely there lip, peach blush, plethora of rings and bracelets... the whole nine yards. Albeit, not a recent photo, this nude approach always feels fresh and is a wonderful option while playing dress-up this winter! 

To immortalize in doodle form one of your own favorite looks e-mail a photo (or more) to astridparkeryoga@gmail.com

Holiday gift list, check!

The Daily Doodle: Personalized doodles make awesome gifts! I am taking orders until December 7th. Allow for a seven day turn-around and three days for edits, and you will have your doodle no later than December 17th. 

Contact me at astridparkeryoga@gmail.com with your orders (or to brainstorm an idea together.) See the "Special Orders" tabs at the top of the homepage for inspiration and information. E-mail me with any further questions.

this baywatcher welcomes December

The Daily Doodle: I know it's a day (or two) late, but these photos are from a December 1st walk on the beach, so, Hello December! What is your end-of-year intention?

what Vegas leaves in its wake

The Daily Doodle: No amount of stretching and not drinking can ensure you won't return home with stale breath and bothered eyes. I am currently nursing my Vegas hangover.

1. Yoga in-room at the Encore – the Wynn sign is actually reflecting in from the building next door. 2. The Bellagio's fountian show is every fifteen minutes. We watched it twice while waiting for "O".  3. Golden pear decorations 4. Spa at the encore. Gorgeous! 5. Nevada welcome City of Primm shot from the drive in.

pre-turkey surf

The Daily Doodle: When in Palm Beach I like a pre-feast tennis match, in Cleveland a brisk walk, and in Cali a before stuffing surf. Let it be clear, this is all in addition to, not in lieu of, helping out in the kitchen! It's also not about "work-out so I can gorge myself", but rather "appreciate and give thanks to my healthy body and mother nature before enjoying a bountiful family meal". This year, I am not able to make the coast-to-coast trip to join my mom, so instead I will drive through the desert to the city of sin where my husband, brother-in-law and I plan on kicking ass and taking names. Thanksgiving in Vegas, baby. 

Monkeying Around

The Daily Doodle: I'm loving protein-y, chocolate-y, peanut butter-y smoothies... with an espresso shot or two!

See-Monkey-Do Smoothie:

Serves 2

4 scoops vanilla protein powder

2 Tbspn peanut butter

1 large banana

2 cups almond milk

2-4 shots cooled espresso

three handfuls ice

Blend thoroughly. 

Seriously, walk away, let it run a few minutes. 

Your neighbors will forgive you.

I'm sick of spoiling myself! I didn't mean to make a big deal of it, but I guess that's when the crazy always gets unleashed: this 'Birthday Month' of decadence included, but was not limited to, buckets of pink roses, a lively Mexican dinner, out-of-town visitors, a five-star brunch, and a day at the spa. Sounds like a dream? Honestly, I'm exhausted. But expect more excess (perversion, corruption, gluttony...), because in a few days I head to Vegas! Thereafter, though, it's back to basics: more yoga, please.

What kind of sparkling water will you be serving this season? 

Bvlgari S. Pellegrino, of course. 

Ode to Ugg

The Daily Doodle: I know I shouldn't, but I love Uggs. I simply can't help myself. I even wear them with shorts. Oh, the shame. A few days ago I got into a fight with a dining room chair, and the chair won. It was a sturdy chair, so I am happy to have a small collection of furry booties with which I can now encapsulate my bruised foot. Soft Ugg soles also muffle the distinct sound of my 3-days-and-running limp.

Apres-Ski Stretch

The Daily Doodle: Stretching in apres-ski attire. One of my favorite yoga classes to teach was 'Apres-Ski Stretch' at O2 Yoga in Aspen, Colorado. At 4pm, sandwiched between a rigorous-heart-pumping-exhilarating-day and a party-like-there's-no-tomorrow-night, this class always had a magical feeling of stillness and calm. I look forward to heading to Telluride for a one-week family vacation this winter, where the class setting may be a carpeted condo floor with a fireplace instead of a glistening, open studio and the clientele will likely not be the paying kind, but the flushed faces, long-johns and feeling of freedom and serenity  in the Mountains is always the same. 

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana: bridge pose

Setu: bridge

Bandha: lock

Sarva: whole, complete

If you can stay in the pose 30 seconds to one minute, a stress-free (powder) day is sure to follow. 

I like to daydream and eat In-N-Out

The Daily Doodle: I'm married to a man, so yes, I do eat highly questionable, edible food-like substances now and again: an In-N-Out double-double, double order of fries, and neapolitan milkshake... Mind you, these are sometimes foods. I tagged this as 'inspiration,' because the doodle looks like she is about to be (inspired,) and I think her outfit, especially those shoes, already is.

Rainy days are great for yoga, Salambhasana

The Daily Doodle: On rainy days in Cali there are not many options (even our malls are outdoors.) Having already seen the decent box-office hits, I re-read Iyengar's "Light on Life," while waiting out this Saturday's persistent showers. And lo and behold, it could not be a sunnier Sunday.

Salambhasana: locust pose

Salabha: grasshopper, locust

This seemingly simple pose is much more powerful than it looks. But do not take my word for it: lie face down on your mat, press your pelvis into the floor, spread your low back long, reach up and out with your toes, and lift your chest. You will be relieving fatigue, flatulence, constipation, indigestion and lower back pain as well as strengthening your spine, buttocks, backs of the arms, and backs of the legs. You are also stretching your shoulders, chest, belly, and thighs. 

"By persistent and sustained practice, anyone and everyone can make the yoga journey and reach the goal of illumination and freedom... A yogi never forgets that health must begin with the body... Patanjali said that asanas bring perfection in body, beauty in form, grace, strength, and compactness, and the hardness and brilliance of a diamond... Asana is perfect firmness of body, steadiness of intelligence, and and benevolence of spirit." -B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life. 

winky headstand Salamba Sirsasana

The Daily Doodle: Salamba Sirsasana

Salamba Sirsasana: Supported Headstand

Salamba: with support

Sirsa: head

Asana: pose

In this pose the 'support' is your forearms... because, get this, Sirsana is standing on your head with your arms by your sides.

Mr. Kirschenbaum's favorite pose, Salamba Sirsasana