inspiration

Favorite Posts of 2013…

year in review

As January approaches (how did that happen?), I wanted to gather up some of your favorite posts from this year.

Kripalu: What I Pack This was THE most popular post of the year, for sure. And timely, as I’m heading back up to the snowy Berkshires right after the holiday. Update on this post: I’ve upgraded my water bottle and now use and love my this one from bk – a lovely part of my Blogshop goodie bag.

bed yoga

Yoga in Bed: 8 Poses to Wake Up To I know. Sometimes it’s just too cold or too comfy to leave the sanctuary of our beds.

Harvest-Moon

This & That: Moon Salutations I’m sensing a real Yin vibe from you guys this year. I think this is another perfect posture series to do around the holidays.

Have a wonderful year-end celebration everyone. And thank you for coming with me on the adventure.

Insta-yogis

yoga instagramDid you read this article in Well and Good about the surge of Instagram Yogis?

I often have to remind my students, and myself, that our goal in class isn’t to look like the cover of Yoga Journal. That everyone’s body is different, and each posture is beautiful no matter if it looks “perfect” or not.

When choosing images for this blog what I’m first drawn to is my completely visceral aesthetic response. I want this site to be pretty to look at. So that means high resolution images with interesting composition and color play. Does that mean that I’m often choosing professional photographs with models instead of your average joe-gi? A lot of the time, yes. What can I say, I like to look at pretty things.

Am I part of the problem of perpetuating an unattainable ideal? Ugh, I hope not. I will continue to make an effort to show beautiful postures that are individual and perfect just as they are.

And so I love the idea of seeing more “real” people’s postures, photographed beautifully. It seems like a great opportunity for a more democratic point of view.

Image from Trek Along. You can share with them on Instagram using the hashtag #NaturesGym.

Mat Goes Here: Secret Garden

secret garden

This week I’m imagining yoga in a secret garden. The soft, soft grass. Dirt under the fingernails in downward dog. This looks amazing.

I found this image here, but can’t find it attributed anywhere! Troubles with Pinterest.

secret garden yoga

Ooh, let’s put the mat somewhere hiding back there. Under the shade of the tree. Listening to the leaves rustle in the breeze. Maybe a little babbling brook action. I’m happy.

Find this image here.

behind this door

I’d lay down my mat behind this door. Wouldn’t you?

Image here. Also, “Mat Goes Here” is inspired by this column by The Jealous Curator.

Inspired by a Superhero

Coney_Island_Cyclone
I read this post from Andrea Scher recently, and teared up a bit. Oh, how I know this feeling. The glimpse of self confidence, and the light-speed trajectory into doubt and recrimination.

Where I go in my mind is like a superhighway to the darkest dark.

I’ve been riding a roller coaster myself recently. People talk about doing “the work” or “being in the inquiry.” And that all sounded like nonsense to me until I started looking at myself more deeply. Doubt, love, fear. It’s all in there – like a good spaghetti sauce.

I’m so grateful that people out there are sharing their experiences. It makes me feel less alone in the whole process.

Andrea Scher hosts e-courses, takes photos, and shares delights and truth on her blog Superhero Life. We don’t know each other. I read her blog, and thought she might inspire you, too.

Image from Vintage and Flea.