Standing Bow posture is my Flat Stanley.
I always do standing bow whenever we travel somewhere, but I never really thought about why. We were in Rockport, Massachusetts for a wedding two weeks ago, and as I got into standing bow, I started wondering why I was really doing it.
Sure, it’s more interesting than just standing there for a photo, but the bows never look very impressive. I’m not warmed up, I’m usually wearing jeans and I’ve often just eaten something smothered in cheese.
But, I recently realized that my collection of standing bow photos are really significant to me. It’s not just about doing something fancy while dodging the bizarre stares from by-standers – it’s the acknowledgement that I take yoga everywhere. Wherever I go, I try to maintain the mindfulness and balance that I strive for in the hot room.
Even when I am eating an absurd amount of gelato and haven’t done a backbend for a week – those yogic values of truth, presence and peace are still in the forefront of my life.
Those priorities follow me on a 19-hour plane flight to the other side of the world. They follow me through time zones and long layovers and into safari trucks through the most remote terrain I’ve ever seen. They follow me through too many beachy cocktails in North Carolina and over a freezing cold bridge in Prague just before Christmas.
And then, when I come back to the hot room, I proudly bring those traveling bows with me. I bring all those crooked, not warmed up, imperfect bow poses back to my home studio. I bring them home, along with all the other transformational travel experiences, and I breathe them in deeply, then I let it out slow.
And I’m grateful for every single one of them.
In Rockport, Massachusetts
At the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
In Tulum, Mexico
In Carolina Beach, North Carolina
On safari in South Africa
At Bass Lake, California
At the John Lennon Peace Wall in Prague, Czech republic
(Many thanks to Husband for participating in these yoga photo shoots all over the world. Even more thanks for ignoring all those photos in which I am falling out of standing bow- and which you, dear reader, will only ever see one of.)
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Just here. Just now. 
Tree and Warrior III are my go-to poses. I would do Standing Bow, but, even after 5 years, I can’t hold it long enough for a picture. Which should probably be why I actually do Standing Bow, right? Because what’s more yogic than taking a breath and getting back into posture, right? So maybe I’ll start a collection of pictures of me falling out of bow. No ego, just yoga.
Thanks for the post!
I love tree, too!! “No ego, just yoga” — I’m going to put that on a t-shirt. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
I love what Dorothy said, too. And I would like to add that the journey of being led to do something and just doing it (standing bow) and then figuring out the “why” later is trusting your inner guidance and a fun way to go through life. 🙂
Dawn – hadn’t really thought about it that way, but you are right! Thanks!! xoxox
I luv this! I am a handstand girl and yes, many people think the former that it is an ego -showing off type of thing which is unfortunate. I wish more people would come up to me and say “WOW ! I want to learn that too” And I would reply, “Yoga, it will heal you from the inside out!!!!” Big smiles
Jennifer
Handstand girls rock! And you are so right – it has nothing to do with showing off. It’s just taking time to celebrate the present moment!
Really love the standing bow pics. Tried to pick a favorite but couldn’t. Maybe the first one with the sail boats in the background but they’re all good. And to the Handstand Girl, if you spring into a handstand on a whim, its not showing off, its pure inspiration and honoring that moment. On the other hand, I’m tempted to say, what the hell, go ahead and show off, you earned it if you can do it! Too cool!
What a gorgeous post. So meaningful, tightly packed. Short, but every word has heft like a koan. I love it! Beautifully written Lisa…
That is so kind of you! Thank you very much.
I love your collections of pictures! What a fun way to remember your travels and adventures. I adore standing bow, in fact I think it’s my favorite posture!
Thank you!
thanks for posting those wonderful pics. they made me smile!! Maybe I’ll try a traveling bow sometime. You gave me the courage. I have always been too shy if people were around.
I always felt really shy about it too, but once you have the photo and the memory – you realize it’s totally worth it! It becomes kind of empowering, actually. Let me know if you give it a try!!
This is awesome!!! My pose traveling pose and my blog logos half-moon!! Very cool post!!