How yoga has taught me a lot about succeeding in life
I hate every moment of yoga
Well perhaps not "every" moment. I hate the way I can't get into the poses easily. I hate the fact that I can't do the transition moves as fast or as smoothly as I feel I should. I hate the fact that I am one big massive knot of muscles and tendons that refuses to give which means that some of the poses are just about impossible for me to do. And I hate the thought of not going back.
Of course it is entirely my own fault. I could blame it on my slip, trip and header down the stairs that nearly broke my neck. Or operations, injuries, aches and pains that come from getting older.
But the fact of the matter is, I've stopped and started exercising so many times it's not funny. I don't stretch enough. I sit on my butt most of the day. I drive to work. I drive to the shops to fetch the weekly groceries and I know I'm being hard on myself.
I said after the first painful session of yoga almost 6 months ago, I am looking for millimeters of change each session. I have to remind myself of that every time I go. Millimeters.
I noticed one of those minuscule changes at the end of my first full CX45 session 2 weeks ago. Did I tell you I have now added a functional fitness class to my weekly schedule. I can now add beating myself up about how slowly I run. But the first session ended with a 60 second plank. Before starting yoga there was no way I would get to the 60 seconds. After 6 months of yoga that 60 seconds was a cinch.
- I've gained core strength and regained shoulder strength and flexibility after my last round of major injury
- I have regained some flexibility through my weekly turning myself into a pretzel session
- I have lowered my blood pressure from HIGH OMG you are going to die to a healthy and low pressure reading
- I am sleeping better (not bad for an insomniac)
- and it made me realise that to succeed in everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, you have to show up, every time. You have to sweat and in my case, sweat the small stuff - remember those millimeters I told you about
- You need to get a mentor - so they can correct where you are going wrong
- and you have to remember there are no overnight successes
As my yogi says after every session
"From my heart to yours, have a lovely day everyone"