yoga

How Will You Play in 2013?

An ode to joy.

The most revolutionary thing we can do in the year ahead, is play and enjoy our lives.

The wars, the chaos, the turmoil, the ugliness… have always and will always be there.

“You can’t solve a problem with the same consciousness that created it,” said Einstein.

So… play!

Briohny, Dice and Taylor: Santa Monica A family that plays together, stays together.

Briohny, Dice and Taylor: Santa Monica
A family that plays together, stays together.

“Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.” ~ Tom Robbins

Briohny and Dice: Santa Monica The Lovers Plank

Briohny and Dice: Santa Monica
The Lovers’ Plank

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” ~ Alan Watts

Caitlin, Burr and Griffin: Nantucket Teach 'em young

Caitlin, Burr and Griffin: Nantucket
Teach ’em young

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” ~ Plato

Camacha and Justin: Venice Beach Adoration goes a long way.

Camacha and Justin: Venice Beach
Adoration goes a long way.

“Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have you got your New Year’s resolutions in place? I wonder what hers are or were the last 90 years or so. Just a couple of months ago, here’s Tao Porchon-Lynch, 94 years old, ballroom-dancing in the Connecticut countryside.

Have you got your New Year’s resolutions in place?
I wonder what hers are or were the last 90 years or so.
Just a couple of months ago, here’s Tao Porchon-Lynch, 94 years old, ballroom-dancing in the Connecticut countryside.

“It is interesting that Hindus, when they speak of the creation of the universe do not call it the work of God, they call it the play of God, the Vishnu lila, ‘lila’ meaning ‘play’. And they look upon the whole manifestation of all the universes as a play, as a sport, as a kind of dance.” ~ Alan Watts

Sondra climbs a Tree in Woodstock, NY: Remember what that was like?

Sondra climbs a Tree in Woodstock, NY:
Remember what that was like?

“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.” ~ L.P. Jacks

Ariel Marcoux in Nantucket having fun with her horse.

Ariel Marcoux in Nantucket having fun with her horse.

“If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.” ~ John Cleese

Eric serenades his family, Denise and Lorenzo.

Eric serenades his family, Denise and Lorenzo.

“Dance. Dance for the joy and breath of childhood. Dance for all children, including that child who is still somewhere entombed beneath the responsibility and skepticism of adulthood. Embrace the moment before it escapes from our grasp. For the only promise of childhood, of any childhood, is that it will someday end. And in the end, we must ask ourselves what we have given our children to take its place. And is it enough?” ~ Richard Paul Evans

Indie and Stephen: The Gulf Coast, Florida

Indie and Stephen: The Gulf Coast, Florida

“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything, than when we are at play.” ~ Charles Schaefer

The Body Art Studio playing on swings: Chester, New York

The Body Art Studio playing on swings: Chester, New York

“You can’t stop the future. You can’t rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret is to press Play.” ~ Jay Asher

Kathryn: The Santa Monica Pier

Kathryn: The Santa Monica Pier

Live the life you love.

Love the life you live.

Personally, I’m gonna keep playing games with my boxer Chai.

Personally, I’m gonna keep playing games with my boxer Chai.

Why not?

Why not?

What will you do in 2013 to create a life of joy and wonder?

Feel free to post a comment below.

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Robert Sturman
A dedicated Yoga practitioner, photographer Robert Sturman has increasingly focused on capturing the timeless grace and embodied mindfulness of asana in his work. His portraits, whether set in the lively streets of Manhattan, the expansive beaches and canyons of Malibu, the timeless elegance of Walden's New England, or the bleakness of Marin County's San Quentin Prison, remind us that there is beauty everywhere. In Sturman's own words, "I often think of Rumi's words, 'I can't stop pointing to the beauty.' That feels right to me." Sturman's honors include Official Artist of the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, 2010 FIFA World Cup Artist Representing America, and Official Artist 2007 United States Olympics. In 2012 and 2013, Sturman was the subject of two separate New York Times articles celebrating his photographs of Yoga from around the world. You can find out more about Robert’s work at his online studio and connect with him via Facebook and Twitter.
Robert Sturman
Robert Sturman