Twists and Turns

As we reach the middle of May, the academic year begins to wind down. Many campuses have already celebrated their graduates with one version or another of a commencement ceremony. Some are still to come – final papers in my class are due today. But I think all of us would agree that this semester has brought us some of the most surprising twists and turns in our careers. And we all know there are more to come.

It’s one of the reasons, yoga can be so helpful in our daily lives and in our leadership. Understanding our body’s ability to be flexible supports us in meeting the wide variety of mental challenges we face each day. In a similar way, our mind’s ability to adjust to changes in situations can help us remember that our body is capable of moving in new and different ways no matter our age and circumstance. And our breath connects both together.

Twists help us build a supple spine allowing our movements to be more fluid. But it is important to remember that too abrupt a twist can be harmful. Forcing our body into a twist before it is ready and able is harmful. Cranking our necks rather than gently moving them can actually hurt. In the same way, the very abruptness of the changes we have experienced in our circumstances over the past few weeks makes it challenging to adapt as needed.

Yoga teacher and author Gary Kraftsow explains the need for care this way, “The key to twisting is the ability to control rotation from the musculature of the abdomen and spine, rather than through the force of leverage generated by the musculature of the shoulder and arms and/or pelvis and legs.” In other words, we achieve healthy spinal twists, not by using the strength of our arms or legs to pull us around but by using gentle movement from the core. We then use our arms and legs to help us hold or deepen a twist rather than using force to make it happen.

Learning to twist in a gentle and healthy way helps us develop the flexibility to be ready to move more quickly with less harm in an emergency. In the same way, developing a supple mind and spirit helps us be able to handle all that life sends our way. Even when it is the most unexpected of twists.

This week, we’ll explore the challenges and opportunities provided by practicing twists to help us be healthy through the challenges and opportunities brought to us by life’s twists and turns.

Take care,

Gage

Meditation

Kraftsow, G. (1999) Yoga for Wellness. New York: Penguin Group