I singed up for a Yoga class a few weeks ago our of curiosity - certainly not a typical man hobby, but highly recommended for athletes and especially triathletes.  I showed up for a number of reasons:  stretching, breathing, and the adventure of trying something new and totally ‘out there’.  Little did I know I would come away with three life lessons:

yoga

1.  Enjoy the time BETWEEN your destinations.
Some Yoga focuses on specific poses.  Vinyasa Yoga (the type I practiced) has poses, but stresses the importance of the flow between poses.  We all have goals or milestones in life like graduating school, getting a job, getting married, buying that car, retiring, etc.  I think it’s great to shoot for these things and all the other things that YOU specifically want to do, but there’s a heck of a lot of time in between those milestones.  Enjoy it.  It’s MOST of your life.

2.  Change your perspective.
Vinyasa Yoga involves facing forward, backward, and to the sides.  It’s easy to get uncomfortable or disoriented.  In life, the easiest choice is to latch on to one perspective or one belief and stick to it.  But I think as you explore the world more and consider other perspectives with an open mind, there is much to be gained and lots to enjoy by letting go of a safe, forward-facing direction.

3.  Run your own race.  Don’t compare yourself to others.  It doesn’t matter AT ALL.
It doesn’t matter if you beat the other guy.  He didn’t start at the same place or time that you did.  He’s not built the same way you are.  He doesn’t know what unique gifts and challenges are inside you.  He’s not a fair comparison.  Stop comparing yourself to others, and look back at how are you’ve come.  Coincidentally, I’ve read studies on some of the most successful people in the world, in business, finance, etc., and the ones who are HAPPY and FULFILLED are those who measure themselves in the healthiest way - to look back at where they came from and be grateful for every bit and piece along the way.

{{Follow me for FREE on Twitter http://twitter.com/pspeers}}