09172013

[09172013]

it’s ironic how middle school boys will make fun of the gay kid but then draw dicks on literally everything

[09172013]

[09172013]

[09172013]

[09172013]

[09172013]

It’s not all fancy postures ‘round these parts!

When I committed to daily yoga and posting a picture (or two) of the day’s asana practice, I had no expectation that they would all be the kind of “big postures” that are all over the web (you know, the ones with the tag  ”supreme scorpion while eating a carrot stick is how I roll!”)

But it’s hard not to want to post those when they come up (though mine would probably involve a turkey leg): they embody the essence of what makes yoga so beautiful. They inspire by showing what is possible, even if most of those handstands (I’m guessing) only last about 1/125th of the second it took for that shutter to click.

However, practicing every day means practicing on the days that don’t feel like big posture days, e.g. red tent/crimson tide/riding the spotted pony days.*  I don’t have anything against a regular practice during The Cycle, including doing inversions. In fact, I feel super energized again by day 3 and turn into an arm balancing, inverting powerhouse. But personally, day one is my lowest energy day of the month: it’s sleep in, meditate and read on the couch day. 

So my commitment to practicing every day challenged me to design a restorative practice that would support my body in day one wipe-out state.

With a little help from the sequencing book, I went into postures that felt good, holding them for approximately 3-5 minutes (with variations - coming in and out of bridge and about 10 minutes in legs up the wall) and ended with a long seated meditation. 

Here are the best photos of the set top to bottom:

Supta Baddha Konasana

Apasana

Ananda Balasana 

Supta Virasana

Salamba Bhujangasana

Setubanda sarvangasana

Supta Parivartasana

Janu Sirsasana

Viparita Karani

Sukhasana

This is exactly why I think a daily practice is so important. It teaches me to meet my body on the mat every day AS IT IS and go from there with acceptance, respect and compassion, rather than skipping asana or forcing my body into the big postures that look so cool. 

The body gives a lot, it’s good to give some back.

*Each woman’s cycle is different and I fully believe you gotta go with your own personal flow. (ba dum dum) To those of you who are day one inversion rockstars, I salute you. To those of you who choose the cookie dough and sappy movies option, I feel ya sister. After all, one of the many skills we’re developing is our ability to be in tune with our bodies, right ladies? 

[09172013]

[09172013]

Im so frustrated I was going to go out for dinner with a friend and then she couldn't because of so called family dinner and next minute I get a snapchat from a friend of her! It's like I can't even trust my best friends anymore I need new friends :/

[09172013]

She still has her tongue out

[09172013]

XC is almost here!

[09172013]

[09172013]

[09172013]

Photo

[09172013]

[09172013]

[09172013]

Photo

[09172013]

Photo