Hi, Folks,

I recently observed a Great Egret yogi, leading a mixed class of birds and mammals who live on the Parkway. Here, the instructor (from the Hatha Aviana school of yoga) is seen demonstrating the classic Preenayama (“breathing in the wingpit”) asana. First done to the left, then to the right, this pose is intended to relieve tension and stress, though if held to excess, the practitioner risks loss of consciousness. It was interesting to see how the long-necked birds in the class managed an approximation of the correct pose. With their short necks, the rabbit and beaver had great difficulty, as did the muskrat and skunk. A pair of otters just couldn’t stop laughing.

I wish you safe, satisfying stretching, freedom from tension and stress, and at least a little bit of fun on this rainy day today,

Dave

Great Egret Preening, American River Parkway      ©David Dawson, 2020