Why downward dog is an uphill battle

I am a game of two halves. I’d like to think that over the years my mind has become more flexible; more open, objective, and empathetic. Specialising in Adaptability has certainly helped push me to do as I say. My body on the other hand is gently seizing up. I must still be growing because my toes seem to be getting further away every time I put my socks on.

But one of the best things about being alive for tens of thousands of days is the long-term friendships that are rooted in my formative years. This summer, a group of university friends and spouses gathered in upstate New York. On a canopy-level deck overlooking Lake George, I was mightily impressed by the instigation of a daily yoga session. Now, I do not identify as a yogi, and I consider anyone who can do all that stuff is practically a different species. But in a rush of open-mindedness and objectivity, I realised that it was just what my early onset rust needed.

In a sign of enduring friendship, no-one laughed when I asked if I could join. And still they didn’t laugh when my downward dog couldn’t get much beyond horizontal hound. And don’t get me started on that one where you put your left knee under your right arm. It was like playing Twister without the laughs.

Since returning home, I had the best of intentions to carry on. I did a couple of YouTube sessions for beginners and even that was light years ahead of me... But I’ve struggled to do it as much as I know I need to if I am to reap any discernible difference within my lifetime.

Sometimes change isn’t scary, or negative, or impossible. But it is always disruptive, firstly forcing a change of thinking, then surmounting the inertia of the status quo and finally sustaining it through to the habitzone.

Becoming more flexible – in mind or body - is hard. A journey of a thousand miles must start with a single stretch. If you’re not stretching yourself to do something you know you should be, don’t just focus on the effort, but try to envisage (oh that’s so yoga) the outcome too.

This time next year I’m going to be a cross between a gazelle and an octopus. Or at least an inch or two more able to keep up with my flexible friends anyway.

Rich Alderton is a Leadership Development and Adaptability Intelligence specialist, so call us on 07873 823 800, email us or complete our enquiry form to arrange an initial consultation.

You can download Rich's free e-book 'Mastering Adaptability' here.