Adventures in Yoga – Handstands

Have you read Blink by Malcolm Gladwell? It’s an interesting read that delves into the world of exceptional performance- what makes people like Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan and the rest of us mere mortals . Turns out genetics can be useful- but the real differentiator is practice. People who are great at something do it all of the time. They log thousands of hours making them more proficient and movements become second nature.This makes me feel good. When I like something I do it all of the time. This is not such a great thing when it comes to things like smoking or eating cheese, but turns out its pretty cool for yoga.

I’ve been itching to get into a handstand. It may be silly but for my particular yoga journey it’s one if several destinations. In a class a few months ago a teacher gave me an assignment- practice kicking up a little bit each day. I was also to try doorway handstands and handstands against the wall. It will come she told me just practice.

 

I did it for a week and was frustrated (I know and I’m a yoga teacher- just imagine if I didn’t have yoga- yikes). I kept at it. And I kept at it. And I kept at it.

 

Today I kicked up against the wall at hung for a few seconds and then realized my legs hadn’t yet touched the wall.

 

I. Was. In. A. Handstand.

 

Holy shite. My feet touched the wall and I was grinning upside down like a freaking Cheshire Cat.

 

I had done it!

 

Sure it was only a few seconds- but it was pure magic I tell ya.

 

There’s nothing like the joy of working hard on something and seeing progress.

 

This is yoga. And it progress happens after thousands of hours of practice and in the blink of an eye.

Namaste y’all.