My Daily Doodle

Revolved Cobra Pose | Parivrtta Bhujangasana Yoga Illustration

2026-11-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Fear not, no amount of twisting or heart-opening will ever be excessive (or adequate, if you’re living that driving, desking, screen-time life). Revolved Cobra Pose illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Parivrtta Bhujangasana (Revolved Cobra Pose) | Yoga Illustration
Twist. Open your heart. Twist. Open your heart…Twist and open your heart more, more, more.

Please overindulge in yoga.

Heartfelt Resolve in Seal Pose | Yoga Illustration

2026-11-05T21:29:05.133-07:00

Establish a sankalpa - a heartfelt resolve, then open your heart at every opportunity (in yoga class). Seal Pose illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

In Seal Pose the hands are wider than Bhujangasana (fingers can even point outward) for exaggerated back pocket shoulder rotation. The legs are softer than Bhujangasana with the pelvis sinking floorward to compress and stimulate the lower lumbar arch.
Yoga illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

What is your Sankalpa (heart-led intention) for this holiday season?

Half Chair Pose | Ardha Utkatasana Yoga Illustration

2026-11-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Stretch the outer hips in ‘Figure Four’ standing up, lying supine (on your back), or prone (facing downward) - also called half pigeon pose. Iterations of these variations are unlimited. Tone and strengthen (your ankles, too!) in this Standing version: Ardha Utkatasana yoga illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ardha Utkatasana (Half Chair Pose) | Yoga Illustration
A pose for injury prevention by toning the legs and core, opening the hips and glutes, increasing mobility in the knees and ankles, improving suppleness, stimulating the heart…

Daily optimism and positivity calls for originality and creativity. Crafting a peaceful, beautiful life requires illimitable imagination and artistry.

Figure Four Stretch Yoga Illustration

2026-11-03T13:29:23.347-07:00

One of my Yoga Teachers says she’s “leading us through Rocket Yoga in disguise”. Yoga itself is your life-coach-guru in asana and pranayama disguise. Ardha Utkatasana (Half Chair Pose) Yoga Illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ardha Utkatasana (Half Chair Pose) | Yoga Illustration
Also known as Standing Figure Four Stretch

This pose requires of us strength, flexibility, awareness, balance, focus, stability and concentration. The hip-opening acknowledges, accepts and releases repressed, unprocessed and difficult emotions. With this self-healing we can gradually face life with less fear and embrace new possibilities. Disguised as a hour or so of movement, our yoga practice actually has infinite depth and potential.

Bound Lotus Forward Fold | Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana Yoga Illustration

2026-11-02T20:27:52.795-07:00

Miraculous asana moments, aha mind enhancements and magical soul expansions are thanks to quantity (not always quality) time practicing yoga (for me, in the studio). Or from plentiful meditation anywhere, 😉 of course. Bound Lotus Forward Fold yoga illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (Bound Lotus Forward Fold) | Yoga Illustration

Just hang out. At home. With your family. Availability and accessibility (quantity time) creates stability, intimacy, and the essence of feeling loved.

Horse Pose | Vatayanasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-29T21:55:42.395-06:00

Harness your inner power - calmness and confidence - with Horse Pose. Vulnerable Vatayanasa illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Vatayanasa ( Horse Pose) | Yoga Illustration
Ground and Surrender

Martial Arts: the “arts of Mars,” are named after the Roman god of war. In Yoga we take many cues from these codified systems and traditions of physical fitness and mental discipline - Horse Pose is a prime example.

Garland Pose | Malasana with Bolster Yoga Illustration

2026-10-28T14:47:10.170-06:00

At six in the morning I like to squat deeply on a bolster or block to straighten my still sleepy spine. Malasana, Yogic Squat illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Malasana (Garland Pose) with a Bolster | Yoga Illustration
Props for posture training.

All I want for Christmas is to yoga with blocks, straps, bolsters, eye pillows and blankets.

Happy Baby Pose | Ananda Balasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-27T10:30:48.343-06:00

Some days I feel weightless, other days I may as well weigh a gazillion pounds. Either way, it’s yoga time. Ananda Balasana, Happy Baby Pose, illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana) | Yoga Illustration
Ananda Balasana - Sanskrit is a language of vibration: the sounds form energy, consciousness and reality.

My husband told me his acid reflux is ‘bread’. The only time I experienced acid reflux I was pregnant with my second baby and in a disagreement with a neighbor. Once the dispute resolved, the acid reflux disappeared, though I was still pregnant - and for many more months! (Acid reflux is often attributed to the developing infant’s hair.) This morning in yoga I could barely bring my leaden body to move. “It must be from late last night’s overly indulgent granola snack,” I thought. But, rather, it’s the weight of an impending ‘big city’ (Denver) outing with 6 precious kiddos as cargo. Acid reflux, heaviness - it’s not the carbohydrates! The discomfort is not necessarily pregnancy or hormones, either.

Our responsibilities, relationships and emotions express physiologically. These physical manifestations are unlikely to resolve instantaneously through sentimental revelations alone, but the mere discoveries are profoundly satisfying. Intimate excavation and recognition provides relief, renders us wise, increases our empathy and enables us to aptly respond or abide. Tomorrow’s post-field-trip-yoga will surely feel light as a feather. 🥖 🐦

Upward Lotus Pose | Urdhva Padmasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-24T00:30:48.374-06:00

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

Fish Pose | Matsyasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-21T21:17:10.616-06:00

Yoga again. And again and again and again… fish pose illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Matsyasana with a block (Supported Fish Pose) | Yoga Illustration

Patrick’s Birthday Brunch is this weekend and when hosting at home I am perennially attempting to err on the side of ‘welcoming, proper preparation’ versus mass-life-overhaul-take-over-obsession.

One Legged Vinyasa Yoga Illustration 🚀

2026-10-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Vinyasa, Flow, Yoga: move faster if you are tired and slower when you are wired. Eka Pada Chaturanga Dandasana Vinyasa Yoga illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Eka Pada Chaturanga Dandasana Vinyasa (One Legged Four Limbed Staff Pose Flow) | Yoga Illustration

Maintain predictability, routine, consistency and a preference for the quiet life past the critical threshold for accumulated momentum to kick in and results will skyrocket drastically.

Double Dip! Four Pointed Staff Pose | Chaturanga Dandasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-19T00:00:00.000-06:00

The Double Dip: Lower to a Chaturanga Dandasana both before and after Urdhva Mukha Svanasana in your Surya Namaskar Vinyasa (Low Plank both before and after Upward Facing Dog Pose in Sun Salutation Flow). Chaturanga Dandasana illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Chaturanga Dandasana (Four Limbed Staff Pose) | Yoga Illustration

Basic and repetitive is astoundingly effective.

Warrior 3 to Warrior 1 Transition | Yoga Illustration

2026-10-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

Transitions become seamless with time and practice. Virabhadrasana III to Virabhadrasana I illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Virabhadrasana III Virabhadrasana I Vinyasa (Warrior 3 to Warrior 1 Transition) | Yoga Illustration

I like to close my eyes as I morph ~ change form smoothly.

Half Bound Lotus Tree Pose | Ardha Baddha Padma Vrksasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-14T09:42:04.393-06:00

Release unconscious negative energy with this stimulating hip opener. Half Bound Lotus Tree Pose illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ardha Baddha Padma Vrksasana (Half Bound Lotus Tree Pose) | Yoga Illustration

Be the sapling withstanding the tempest.

Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe B | Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana B Yoga Illustration

2026-10-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Trust the process and show up. Show up in an appropriately festive ensemble for extra credit. Yoga Illustrations and illuminations by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana B (Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose B) | Yoga Illustration

The quiet power of the (week) daily routine: little by little self-mastery is achieved.

Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose | Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

I get a little closer to and then a little further away from a successful Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana each time I revisit the pose. That is why I love to practice Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose.🪞The human experience is mirrored in every yoga class - illustrations and illuminations by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose) | Yoga Illustration

We always imagine there will come that moment when our contemporary totality will be all tied up in a pretty little bow 🎀 and THEN we will enjoy ourselves, let loose, take a load off. That day of completion is not coming and, therefore, it is NOW that we must live, laugh and love regardless of our struggles, stresses and oddities. Spend time with the very young and very old for this lesson in the flesh.

I botched a trip this month by booking the wrong weekend and am therefore missing the event (wedding) I am traveling across the country for, but I have this spontaneous feeling that something special will come of the embarrassing and irreversible blunder, so I am making the voyage regardless. 🪩

Shoulder Pressing Pose | Bhujapidasana | Yoga Illustration

2026-10-10T20:56:28.095-06:00

Engage the core, squeeze the thighs, lift the hips, recruit the triceps, and hook the ankles for grace under pressure in Bhujapidasana. Shoulder Pressing Pose illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Bhujapidasana (Shoulder Pressing Pose) | Yoga Illustration

Daily yoga for multiple daily attempts at grace under pressure.

Yoga: It’s not just Yoga | Ardha Uttanasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-08T22:14:43.189-06:00

With a slanted, alert spine, an awake and engaged Ardha Uttanasana prepares us for many more advanced forward bends. Lively Upward Forward Fold Pose illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ardha Uttanasana (upward Forward Fold Pose) | Yoga Illustration
Bend the knees as much as necessary for an Upward Facing Dog-esque long spine, necessary for profounder forward bends.

Yoga is your undercover personal trainer, weight-loss coach, therapist, GLP-1 …💊😎

Silence is Bliss: Daily Nap | Savasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-07T22:46:02.153-06:00

I Savasana (in the Surya, sun when available) for one hour midday after lunch, as I am in the glorious habit of awaking at 5am for sunrise yoga. Sweet, long Corpse Pose illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Savasana (Corpse Pose) | Yoga Illustration
In my household I am first to rise and last to bed, so I relish a long nap nearly daily!

Turn off the podcast (shut the book, cap the ice tea), lower your eyelids and TUNE IN.

Plow Pose | Halasana Yoga Illustration

2026-10-06T22:28:16.298-06:00

In Plow Pose the peaceful magic begins after two minutes of sustaining the position. Long hold Halasana illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Halasana (Plow Pose) | Yoga Illustration
A serene mind will result if you can stay tranquil in this pose for an extended period.

Yoga is a conversation with yourself.

Full of Life Force and Fearless | Yoga Mudra Illustration

2026-10-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

Use prana (life force) and abhaya (fearless) mudras to stay healthy in the face of toxicity. Yoga hand gestures illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Prana and Abhaya Mudras, Hand Gestures of Life Force and Fearlessness | Yoga Mudra Illustration

After a long body-image and weight-loss conversation ensued with the ladies over dinner the other night, what kept rolling around in my mind later was the comment that I am “naturally thin”. If naturally thin means mindfully and painstakingly gearing every single big and small life-choice towards vibrancy and health: career, partner, location, child bearing and rearing, relationships, intimacy, movement, travel, food, daily habits of reading, listening, journaling, self-care, self-talk etc etc etc etc etc … than, yes, I suppose I am “naturally thin”.

Camel Pose | Ustrasana | Gyan Mudra Yoga Illustration

2026-10-02T16:16:23.682-06:00

Union with the divine - Gyan Mudra: form a gentle circle (unbroken energy loop) with the tip of index finger (individual soul) touching the tip of the thumb (supreme universal consciousness). Ustrasana, Camel Pose, with Gyan Mudra, the hand gesture of Union, illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose) with Gyan Mudra | Yoga Illustration
I keep my eyes peeled for cotton, bamboo* or similarly soft and organic clothing in genuine colors.
* I realize the various fibers have their advantages and shortcomings, so context must always be taken into consideration.

No compromises on the garments you wear! Dressing is a necessity, not a frivolity. Clothing is the single layer between you and the world, it is an artistic expression and it is a significant contributor to your comfort and health. Your outfit envelopes your skin! Be wise and take great care in composing, supervising and maintaining your closet of clothing.

Core Compression is Your Secret Weapon | Yoga Strength Illustration

2026-10-01T10:56:42.810-06:00

Draw in the ribs, cinch the hip points together, lift from deep in the lower belly and engage the pelvic floor for strong asanas, smooth vinyasas and elevated movements. Core compression drill illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Compression Drill for Core Strength | Yoga Illustration
Outward impact begins with inner stability.

Unlock advanced poses : Deep activation for a light body and controlled movement.

Unlock your destiny: Cultivate pure, controlled inner strength for the quiet disciplined power that keeps your life’s trajectory on course.

Full Frog Pose | Bhekasana Yoga Illustration

2026-09-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

Reduce your stress response with an adrenal gland massage in Bhekasana, Full Frog Pose, illustrated by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Bhekasana (Full Frog Pose) | Yoga Illustration
Manage stress hormones and regulate insulin secretion with this adrenal and pancreatic pressure massage.

You don’t have to quit the actual thing - just quit the imaginary things you’ve make-believed all around the thing: the worrying, the story making, the stressing …

So Simple this Child’s Pose | Sarala Balasana Yoga Illustration

2026-09-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

Tent your fingers to streeeetch your back. Balasana illustration by Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum.

Balasana (Child’s Pose ) with tented fingers | Yoga Illustration

Sarala - simple, straightforward, easy.

Sugama: easy to access, smooth, without obstacles.

Sukara: easily done, requiring little effort.

Sulabha: easy to obtain, available.

When child’s pose becomes sarala, sugama, sukara, and/or sulabha how fortunate we are and how far we have come!