The wizarding world is full of quaint, quirky fun like chocolate frogs and booger-flavored jelly beans. It’s also a vicious place where the few words of a forbidden curse can leave you a smoldering spot on the floor. The extremes experienced by Harry Potter and crew require some structure to navigate, and interpersonal conflict is…
pose
Well hello, Adipose: Shoulder Stand
When I first saw someone do a shoulder stand in yoga class, I immediately knew I had to work my way towards it. In time, I got my legs in the air–supported by the yoga teacher and flailing awkwardly. Finally, when I finally managed to hoist my way up, toes towards the sky, I was…
Defying Gravity, Cold, and the Patriarchy: The L-shaped Handstand
Life is a drag. This is news to no one, particularly recently. Constant pressures weigh us down in countless ways. And in a very literal sense, gravity is dragging us down every second we are here. That’s kind of good, since sailing out into space isn’t preferable, but also has some major downsides. Our bodies…
We are Groot: Tree Pose
Being a tree isn’t exactly second nature to us. As humans, we are more into pruning… or picking… or chopping, when it comes to plants in general. In fact, telling nature what to do has always been one of our species’ favorite hobbies. And that makes sense: anyone itching from a mosquito bite will agree…
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations: The Logic of Mountain Pose
If I write the word “Fascinating,” how did you hear it in your head? Did you hear Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor, full of vim, vigor and sass? Or did you picture a cocked eyebrow and the detached intellectual bemusement of Spock? Although I totally grok Spock, I have to admit, I’m the type of person who…
May She Prove Her Worth: Half Moon Pose and the Hero’s Journey
Luke leaves his farm to become a Jedi. Katniss volunteers as tribute to save her sister. Sisko takes control of Deep Space Nine, moving on from the grief over losing his wife. Harry Potter flies away from his awful aunt and uncle to go with Hagrid to Hogwarts. We’ve all been there, right? Actually, we…
Eggs-terminate: Savasana the Corpse/Dalek Pose
Savasana, for many, is the delightful chocolate mousse at the end of a substantial, nutritious meal of yoga. You lie on your back, listen to music or maybe even silence, and completely zone out in a state of delicious relaxation. Or, if you are like me, you contemplate some serious mortality. Let’s do that one,…
Child’s Pose: It’s Bigger on the Inside
Have you ever craved your own personal TARDIS? As in, the Doctor’s Time and Relative Dimension in Space, his traveling blue box that is much bigger than it seems, strangely complicated and full of expanding potential? As it turns out, you can find your own in this pose. Child’s Pose is simple, a place of…