Good day, Steemians!
 

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—  
I took the one less traveled by,  
And that has made all the difference.” -- Robert Frost 

Happy Hard Fork 16 Day!
The computer wizards updated the blockchain code again,
so once more we find ourselves in uncharted territory.
We'll see how this effects our ecosystem.
In addition to some changes to witness payouts and way lower inflation,
now you can power down in 13 weeks instead of 104.  
Will you? Come round abouts the Ides of March,
some of y’all might be sitting on a beach somewhere sipping coconuts
sending praise to that sweet platform you used to invest in
while the rest of us are off to the moon!   
I intend to ride the Steemship right on over to Steem Castle,
It will be an epic journey, and I look forward to sharing it!
I have a most excellent gift for you today in thanks for all this fun -
this is a really nice pose that loosens up all kinds of gunk
and makes you feel amazing.
I hope you enjoy everything this new day brings!

This is Cobra

 AKA Bhujangasana in Sanskrit 

(bhujanga = snake, asana = pose/posture) 

Cobra is a gentle backbend that relieves stress and fatigue.

Cobra looks quite similar to upward facing dog,
but in cobra the tops of the legs rest on the ground,
whereas you hover in upward facing dog, balancing on the feet.
They can be used interchangeably,
and cobra is a bit more accessible to beginners.

Cobra strengthens the spine and stretches the abdomen,
chest, shoulders, and lungs.
The body will show you how far up you can come;
it's "right" when you feel a delicious but not uncomfortable stretch.

Animal totems appear (as if by magic!) when
we need guidance or encouragement
in particular areas of life:
the cobra represents royalty, fire, strength,
intellect, speed, grace, change, wisdom,
divinity, enchantment, death, rebirth, and knowing oneself better.
They are known for protecting the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. 

According to this site, the cobra appears at times when:

• Upheavals of strong wisdom are being noticed.
• A quick response is initiated.
• Energy builds up at most appropriate times.
• Discovery of unnoticed abilities takes place.
• One needs more self-esteem and confidence.

and you can call on them when
understanding oneself is very crucial,
unveiling innate abilities are the only solution to an impending problem,
and the truth has to be discovered.

 How to COBRA: 

• From chaturanga, lower all the way to the ground. 
• Place hands under shoulders to the side of the chest. 
• Press the tops of the feet into the mat.
• Inhale, and lift the chest and shoulders to whatever height feels comfortable as you straighten your arms.
• Extend forward from the heart.
• Maintain as much space between the shoulders and ears as you can by rolling the shoulders down and pressing shoulder blades back.
• Gaze can be down to the ground, forward, or up as you drop your head back for a deeper backbend.
• You may like to warm up by coming into a low cobra and lowering a few times before attempting a higher one.

Breathe in, breathe out. 

Breathe in, breathe out. 

Breathe in, breathe out.

💛 Sara!
P.S. We offer hand painted Steemit gear through @steemrollin's honorable Peerhub Marketplace.

And this is my little spot of gratitude:
Thanks @everlove for the photo!
Thanks @quinneaker for unending inspiration!
Thanks @steemit for this playspace! Thanks devs and creators and maintainers for all your sweet brainpower!
Thanks life for all this fun you throw my way!