Fairytale Inspiration: 8 Days of Asanas to Awaken the Inner Child

In November 2016, I picked up my first book on yoga. I began on page one. I was learning everything for the first time. A brand new world was beginning to open up, and I didn't even realize it yet.

I truly had no idea how much my life would change once I developed my yoga practice. All I did know was that it found me at exactly the right time. 

It was instantly my favorite way to spend my energy. I read the books, searched videos on YouTube, found teachers online I enjoyed practicing with in my home.

Then, I discovered the yoga community on Instagram. WOW. It's incredible. Still never having been to an actual yoga class, I began to follow yogis on IG and participate in yoga challenges.

It was the perfect way for me to be introduced to new asanas and begin to learn more about yoga philosophy, on and off the mat. 

Not only were the challenges educational, but they also encouraged my creativity in a brand new way. For the past 13 years, I had been a professional artist, but this was the first time I was the subject of my own art. Which was weird and unnatural to me at first—taking self portraits—but over the years, my love for it has grown exponentially. It quickly became a passion.

It would be over a year before I ever attended my first yoga class. I still remember it. As we settled into Savasana and she placed cold towels infused with essential oils on our foreheads, I completely broke down. A wave of emotions flooded over me. I'm even tearing up recalling it. It was the most beautiful and real, authentic, raw, vulnerable, soul shaking experience. I couldn't believe I had waited so long to go.

My home practice had been so good, but oh, to be flowing in a studio with a live teacher and class full of other students; this was next level good.

My yoga practice has evolved a lot since then, and a few years have gone by without participating in any yoga challenges. That is, until my 1.1.21 return to Instagram after the second of two lengthy breaks (23 of the past 27 months).

An OG yogi friend (she hosted one of the first yoga challenges I ever did) showed up in my feed calling us to embrace our inner child with 8 days of asanas inspired by some of our favorite fairytale princesses. #AloFavFairytales Each day would be based on a different story and a suggested pose, but they welcomed you to write your own interpretation.

I love Disney princesses. Was I intrigued? Yes. 

Then I read the yoga fairytale lineup:

Mulan: Warrior 1, 2, or 3 -or- a pose that empowers you to feel like a warrior

Cinderella: any kind of toe stand

Belle: a pose that makes you feel beautiful -or- a pose you're still learning to love

Tiana: frog pose -or- a pose that fills your dreams

Merida: bear pose -or- a pose that makes you feel brave

Ariel: fish pose -or- any mermaid version

Snow White: choose a pose to balance one of your seven chakras

Aurora: Savasana -or- your favorite restorative posture

Two words: ALL. IN.

I enjoyed every moment of the creative processes involved in participating in this challenge. I felt inspired, excited, and so free-flowing. I definitely connected with my inner child. There were many magical, mystical, and AHA moments over the course of the eight days. 

And in the end, I feel so connected to the series I brought to life using my intuition and imagination—a powerful combination. It brings me joy, and I hope it fills your heart with the same. 

Who is your favorite princess? What do you love about them or how do you relate to their story? Find out who mine is when you click on the photos!

Which photo from this series is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

** Click on each image to read my caption + see a video of behind the scenes making of the photo **