Let's see a show of hands - how many of you are 45 years old or older and have come to realize that your brain and your body are operating on different wavelengths? If you're familiar with an X-Y chart, exactly when was the intersection between your brain's ability to function and your body's resistance to it?
 
Even though my mind still thinks it is 30, my body is not.  At a very young 50 (allegedly the new 40, yea!), there are aches and pains in places I didn't even know I had.  I decided it was time to do something when I found myself making unpleasant grunting noises when rising from a sitting to a standing position and so I started doing yoga only to find out that my body doesn't quite cooperate like it once did. 

 

Yoga is a wonderful exercise program.  It wrings out your muscles without impacting your joints.  It is a mentally positive spiritual experience and yet a physically demanding one.  And it is sneaky.  Oh, it looks easy, but it is not.

 

My yoga instructor, Ellen Bumpus (760.832.0041), is knowledgeable, friendly, patient and equally adept with both yoga and Pilates.  Here's how a typical yoga pose goes:
 
Ellen:  Ok, stand up straight with your legs spread and feet parallel to the mat's edge, relax your shoulders and open up your chest
Leslie: Dutifully assumes the position and drops the shoulders
Ellen:  Tuck your tail bone under so it points at the floor and pull in your abdominal muscles so your bellybutton touches your backbone
Leslie: Ummm, dutifully tucks all appropriate spots
Ellen: Now bend at the knees, twist to the left, reach over and grab your ankle
Leslie: Excuse me?
Ellen: Well, just go as far as you can and don't forget to breathe
Leslie: WHAAAAATTTTT?????????? Breathe? HUHHHH?
 
Here I am, twisted into a pretzel, trying not to fall over AND you want me to breathe?  Are you kidding??? You get the idea - it isn't pretty and I feel totally and completely uncoordinated.  But you know what? I love yoga.  It is challenging and fun and in just a few short weeks there is significant improvement in my strength and flexibility.
 
The lesson in all this is 'if you don't use it, you lose it'.  In business, if we don't continue to network, if we trim our investment in marketing, if we don't consciously cultivate positive client relationships, our companies will suffer.  We need to live in the moment and realize the work we put in every day truly matters later.  Like our bodies which become stronger the more we exercise them, so too will our companies strengthen as we work to build them.  
 
Don't let the current economic condition slow you down.  Avoid the naysayers. Believe in yourself and the services or products you offer.  Maintain your passion and dedication. Open yourself up to new opportunities.  If necessary, consider reinventing your business to better fit with the changing face of your industry. 

 

We all have the ability to be successful, to enjoy what we do, to make our mark in life, so go for it!  Be tenacious. Provide the highest quality services or products possible and remember to project confidence, enthusiasm and strength. Oh, and don't forget to breathe!