Changing the View

I stood on my head today. Well, that's not exactly accurate. Actually standing on my head would require a level of flexibility and dexterity not possessed by yours truly as my feet cannot even reach that big ol' noggin of mine. Besides, even if they could, why would I choose to stand on it? It would be painful, and I would get footprints on my ears.

So, I guess the more precise way to describe it is, "I did a headstand." Really! There I was: head where my feet usually are and feet where my head goes (except when sleeping of course).

I found myself in this most topsy-turvy world because my Yoga teacher says it is beneficial as it helps with blood pressure and reduces stress (well, except for your arms; they were stressed quite the big amount, let me tell you). Since I started Yoga, she has been urging, guiding, cajoling, and coaxing to get me to try this top-is-bottom bizarre configuration.

I get pleasure from Yoga; and the more I'm doing it, the more I appreciate that it's not about turning oneself into a human pretzel. There is extreme satisfaction from enhanced flexibility, increased strength, and better posture. Add to that, that I can now bend down (and get back up) without a written plan, and that I have enhanced my spirituality; and it's gosh-darn difficult to come up with reasons why I would limit myself. However, when my teacher gets that "we're-going-to-go-upside-down" twinkle in her eye, I freak out. The way I see it is if God wanted us to be downside up, he would have put hats on our feet and shoes on our ears.

OK, the actuality is doing something this different from my norm is just plain frightening. There, I've said it! The fear is further amplified because all my inner talk reminds me of everything that could go askew. Of course, I was scared that I would look stupid - or worse yet, what happens if I fall down and get hurt? Valid concerns, sure, but I'll come clean: the genuine bottom line (or would it be "top line" in this case?) is that I lacked faith in myself and was sure I would fail. I can be my own worst limitation.

So, as I lowered my face to the floor in modified dolphin pose, she said, "Breathe out the fear. Relax your shoulders. Raise your strong leg..."

I lifted it. I breathed.

"Make it tight. Pull to the midline."

She assisted by supporting my outstretched leg.

"Now, lift your other leg."

So, I exhaled, lifted it, pulled to my midline, and before I could say, "I can't do this," I did. There I was; head in hands, feet on the wall; vertical - and flabbergasted at what I could do when I didn't tell myself I couldn't. Like most of life, it took some assistance, a tad of discomfort, and a bit of faith. Yet the benefits linger beyond the act.

I feel like - no, I take that back - I AM a new person now. I recognize it's just a Yoga pose; I didn't change the world or cure cancer; but I am holding my head up higher now (in more ways than one), and carrying myself with enhanced confidence. As a matter of fact, the whole world looks different today, more colorful, alive, and brighter.

One could say I began seeing things from a whole new point of view.