documenting
movements.
high crescent under the sunset.
The upper
naval pulled- in,
heart unfolding,
sun is descending,
arms are ascending.
The lower
front foot rooted,
front knee externally rotated,
back leg extended,
back heel gravitated.
[inhale]
“It begins within me”
[exhale]
malasana in transition, photo taken in Savannah GA
08/09/20
as I breathe, so does my body in all its musculature. even if I stand or sit still, there’s a stir of reawakening the pranayama guides me to. breathing in movement.
expansion + contraction
lengthen + shorten
pain + ease
as I practice, I peel back layers of troublesome + grow closer to my spirit.
Dare to take up space.
goddess pose with garundasana arms, photo taken in Chiang Mai, TH.
18/03/21
since ancient times, traditional yoga was developed on different surfaces the earth has prevailed for us. no terrains were yet manipulated by man. we find primal connection to the planet we were born into.
hot sand to cool stones.
I stand on the ball mounds of my bare feet. legs spread a part, in goddess pose.
leaning backwards with quads engaged, my torso erecting.
I raise my arms for eagle twining, shoulders are spread apart.
vulnerable with protected heart, my balance I’m finding.
Root to rise.
a figure - 4 balance, photo taken in Savannah, GA.
08/09/20
in this gravity - based world,
no wingless creature has risen without maintaining a sturdy foundation.
my bottom foot grounds with my pinky + toe edge, my heel is lifted. my calf and quads collaborate.
I root.
my core distributes my balance, my spine grows neutral, follows does my cervical spine. my arms ascend + intertwine.
I rise.
heart - over - head
a forearm stand. photo taken in Pattaya, TH.
20/07/2021
once head is dimmed by cloud, she asks the heart to guide her back to clearer skies.
my forearms pressed into the Earth, my pelvic floor rises,
ball mounds of feet walks up as close to my elbows they could get,
my least dominant leg draw - bridges up, my hip bones guides the ascent
my dominant leg follows cue, I continue to press down into the Earth, foundation matters.
both legs are erect among trees, my tailbone is reminded to point towards my heels,
my heart is above my head.
Notes on Improvement
The arrows represents the direction of where particular part of the body should aim for alignment.
Alignment is crucial as they benefit body musculature and for optimal balance.
Ever - evolving.
salamba anjaneyasana variation, photo taken in Savannah GA.
30/04/20
the variations of different asanas is the realization that your body is not confind to a box.
we practice to break our own boundaries + discover that the only person who stands in your growth is your ego.
when i’m on my mat or on the grass just flowing,
like water, my presence fills up the limitless container of the present.
it comes in series
The build - up comes a greater release.
Start off by paying attention to voluntary breathing called upon by your nature. As humans, we breathe to survive.
Once respiration is in control, pay attention to the physical body.
Expansion + contraction calls for different breath control.
Lengthen + shorten calls for different anatomical support.
Like a wet rag being twisted and rinsed, we get clean again.
a bridge connecting the physical plane + the plane of the bliss
photo taken in Pattaya, TH.
18/07/21
Setu Bandhasana is Bridge Pose.
Portrayed in monochromatic series above, is a Setu Bandhasana variation.
I start on my back and allow vulnerability to greet me.
My knees are pointed to the heavens. I plant my feet on the earth to ascend my hips.
My hands reunite beneath my inclining supine, I bind them. My shoulder blades kiss.
Heart is greeting the above, I press the back door of my skull into the earth to remain connected.
My hands now unbind as my lumbar calls for support.
[Inhale]
My core fires up, my tailbone flicks up. My legs are hovering.
[Exhale]
The conscience floats to control the happenings of my legs. They become vertical. They are now bent 90 degrees. They then cross in Garudasana (Eagle Pose).
They find themselves flying across my vertical body over my crown.
Lingering is my soul between the physical plane + the plane of the bliss.
Eka pada koundinyasana II
eka pada koundinyasana II, (“flying splits”, pose dedicated to the sage Koundinyasana II), photos taken in Pattaya, TH.
12/05/21
In lizard pose, one leg extended back, the front is bent with hands on the inside.
I inhale and arch my chest + torso up, like a cheetah that just woken up.
my spine is neutral again. I lift my front heel up to nuzzle my arm underneath my aching calf.
my hand plants. I lean forward palms pressed into the earth, my biceps activated in chataranga.
my front leg intuitively flicks back, toes pointed to my past, I’m ready to launch forward.
I build up unwavering strength, my extended leg ascends into equilibrium.
Eka pada galavasana
eka pada galavasana (flying pigeon pose), photo taken in Savannah, GA.
06/09/20
i stand one- legged and tall, i cross my floating ankle crossed over my opposite thigh,
i bend my bottom leg carefully coming onto my ball mound.
my core engage to keep my upper body light,
my hands lower down in front of me to press against the earth.
my drishti ahead, i bend my elbow + lean forward with shoulders pulling back.
my core + crossed - over thigh works together to buoyant my hips,
the leg extend readies then slowly draw - bridges up in equilibrium.
Practice introduces the precipice of something new
photo taken during isolation in Bangkok, TH.
01/01/21
left the states during a full moon, landed on the motherland in a new year.
photo taken during isolation in Bangkok, TH.
what two weeks of isolation in an unfamiliar hotel has taught me was that i was capable of taking on