Every Flower Has It’s Season
“Every flower has its season”….that was my Mom’s favourite line. When I was younger it meant nothing to me, but as I edged towards 60, I began to understand that as we age, adapting is essential. For me it means that adapting and softening go hand-in-hand. It means adapting my viewpoint, my attitude, even some of my beliefs. For sure adapting my clothes. That top with the plunging neckline just isn’t me anymore. Neither is that houndstooth mini skirt that still hangs in my closet – what am I thinking?!
We speak about yoga as being good for the body, mind and soul. So too, as we age, adapting is good for the body, mind and soul. From our body’s perspective, it likely means no longer eating a huge meal at 9:00 pm and then expecting to sleep well. Likely our diet has been adapted - more of some foods and less of others. Our exercise regime has changed. For some of us, we realize the importance of starting one and for others we’ve had to adapt it to reduce or eliminate some movements or exercises that are no longer accessible. For me, running has now become power walking. It means adapting what we used to do so that we don’t injure ourselves unnecessarily and unwittingly. Yoga is one of those enduring practices that can be our best friend right to the end. We can adapt our practice when and as we need, moving from the mat, to the chair, supporting ourselves with props, the wall, furniture. You see, it really doesn’t matter how you adapt your practice, so long as you keep moving.ADAPTING doesn’t mean you are less than. Consider changing the second letter “a” to an “o”. You see, adapting just means adopting new ways, making new choices – smart and smarter choices. B.K.S. Iyengar says: “Yoga does not just change the way we see things….it transforms the person who sees.”Age Strong; Age On