What does it mean to be truly flexible? In the yoga-sphere, flexibility brings just a physical dexterity to mind, but we may actually increase our flexibility in other arenas with our practice. Flexibility is defined as
1: capable of being flexed: pliant
2: yielding to influence: tractable
3: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements <a flexible foreign policy> <a flexible schedule>
From the definition alone, there is an idea that one may be adaptable, but also persuadable. But a healthy amount of flexibility means you not only can “roll with the punches”, but you also hold your own personal needs in high regard.
I bring this up because I consider myself a very flexible person. I go out of my way to help friends and family because I want to and I can. I have the privilege of a schedule that allows me to do this, but I could just as easily sit at home and do my own thing.
But I do not.
Why? Because all of the time spent on my mat has taught me that there is not one way to go about something. There is never one way to be a daughter, sister, girlfriend, or friend. And we must constantly be open to trying new ways to maintain and bolster each relationship. Each time you approach any pose, including Tadasana, you must be open to try something new. When we continue to force the same things over and over, they become habits, or samskaras, and instead of building us up, they hold us back. I approach my life with this same openness, because just as our physical bodies are not rock and stone, our lives are fluid entities, and should always be adaptable and open to change.
At the end of the day, this flexibility allows for a happier life. Instead of fighting every chance, every change, every day, what if you figured out a way to make it work? Of course the road traveled often is easy and familiar, but the novel path has adventure and the unknown.
So take a chance, and instead of saying “no” next time you are asked for a favor, say “yes” and buckle in for an adventure!
1: capable of being flexed: pliant
2: yielding to influence: tractable
3: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements <a flexible foreign policy> <a flexible schedule>
From the definition alone, there is an idea that one may be adaptable, but also persuadable. But a healthy amount of flexibility means you not only can “roll with the punches”, but you also hold your own personal needs in high regard.
I bring this up because I consider myself a very flexible person. I go out of my way to help friends and family because I want to and I can. I have the privilege of a schedule that allows me to do this, but I could just as easily sit at home and do my own thing.
But I do not.
Why? Because all of the time spent on my mat has taught me that there is not one way to go about something. There is never one way to be a daughter, sister, girlfriend, or friend. And we must constantly be open to trying new ways to maintain and bolster each relationship. Each time you approach any pose, including Tadasana, you must be open to try something new. When we continue to force the same things over and over, they become habits, or samskaras, and instead of building us up, they hold us back. I approach my life with this same openness, because just as our physical bodies are not rock and stone, our lives are fluid entities, and should always be adaptable and open to change.
At the end of the day, this flexibility allows for a happier life. Instead of fighting every chance, every change, every day, what if you figured out a way to make it work? Of course the road traveled often is easy and familiar, but the novel path has adventure and the unknown.
So take a chance, and instead of saying “no” next time you are asked for a favor, say “yes” and buckle in for an adventure!
