Perspective is a silly thing. The simplicity of a word or sentence can change your whole outlook on life or a particular situation and flip it entirely on its head.
This past month I have been doing a handstand challenge. My goal is to do a handstand every day from June 23rd until September 2nd (spanning from the summer equinox to Labor Day weekend), with my intention to be in handstand on the beach on Labor Day!!
It has been such a fun challenge. Partly because I decided to create an online community in order to support myself and others….and partly because I’ve been flipping upside down for almost a month!!
You can join our online handstand challenge here! We would love to have you join us….post pictures, hang out online and upside down.
By allowing myself the opportunity to physically view the world from a different view each day is such a gift. By bringing my feet above my head, my blood rushes straight to my heart. I often feel a surge of energy and always feel better after an inversion.
As I mentioned, perspective can be changed simply. An inversion, a thought or perhaps a simple idea. In regards to our relationships, perspective can change suddenly and simply. Think about the last time you learned something about a friend/co-worker/celebrity and your view of that person immediately changed!
Reputations and first impressions can only be changed when you flip YOUR perspective. Handstands, headstands and open conversations can help you to create space to learn something new and allow change and growth to happen.
Recently, Aaron Hernandez changed everyone’s point of view on his reputation and who he is as a person. As a lifelong Bostonian and the wife of a die hard Patriots fan this gave way for me to view a massive shift in perspective. This example is extreme but due to his current situation, Hernandez is no longer viewed as a football player, but as a famous person in connection with a murder trial.
A much simpler flip would be nature. Watching Planet Earth or being conscious of your environment with what you eat can all change your perspective. Yoga, healthy eating, spirituality, religion, friends, co-workers, jobs and so much more. Each of these elements can be switched, rearranged, changed and FLIPPED ON THEIR HEADS!!
Lately my work environment has been changing at my full-time position. It’s a great place to work and in the recent weeks we have actually come together to learn more about one another within and outside of the work place. What a great space we have created for an even more upbeat day to day life!
What is something you can change your point of view on? Is there a perspective you wish to change??
Head on over to the handstand challenge page and try a few… then leave a comment in the comment section below on something you would like to change your view on TODAY!
Sending you love & light
Sat Nam
Jenny
Great post, Jenny! It’s a daily practice to shift my perspective from “it’s difficult to be in business for myself but it’s worth it;” to something like… “being in business for myself brings me freedom and joy and the knowledge that I can totally do this!”
One of my favorite perspective-shifting opportunities is looking down from a great height – like an airplane or a mountain/hilltop. I do love the simplicity of a handstand in shifting perspective… though, perhaps I’ll start with head & arms over the side of the bed. (Less scary.) 🙂
Thank you so much!! I would recommend doing a handstand in front of your bed. That way you gain strength while being able to fall into bed if you need it…or against a wall 🙂
I agree, a simple shift is all we need sometimes. Ill be thinking of you this week as you shift your thoughts around your business!!
what a beautiful post this is, jenny! i love how you took the literal to the figurative to impart a lovely lesson in perspective. (oh, and i’m envious of your expert handstand!)
Haha thank you April. Deceiving as I’m not quite there yet. I can hang for a few seconds. One day at a time. 🙂 I love taking my yoga off the mat and into the world as often as I’m able. I hope you have fun practicing 😉
I love this post Jenny. Love how you’ve tied in a literal upside down flip with a mental one. Wow – a 30 day handstand challenge is amazing. I’m in! xx
Thanks Jen! As I said with April, for me yoga is so much more than the physical. It ties in what we live off the mat as well! Come on over & play–we would love to have you…and it’s full of support, pictures and fun!! Plus, hopefully you’ll be in a handstand by Labor Day!
For the last 7 years, I’ve lived in a small (but beautiful) village in the Hudson Valley. We just signed on the dotted line to move OUT of our little village, mostly because it’s gotten really expensive but also because it has become so insular. We were really freaked out (like you become when you do your first handstand), but after the deed was done, the sense of my perspective switching was a relief! It’s amazing how cocooned we can become without realizing it. Thanks for the amazing post.
It’s amazing what we can do and believe when things shift and when we listen to our own intuition. I jokingly refer too Ana Forrest’s “fearasanas” which means fear pose whenever I think of obstacles. We simply need to leap and believe that we will be caught. Shifting out perspective to include love and change makes everything so much more open!! Wishing you tons it love & light on your next journey out of the little village.
Jai ma!
What an inspiring post, Jenny! I find the idea of actually trying a handstand a little scary, but “reputations and first impressions can only be changed when you flip YOUR perspective” is sooo true! You know what – I’ll go jump on my kids’ trampoline next time I feel like I need a shift in perspective. Hope that counts, too :-)!
Of course it counts Nathalie!! 🙂 It changes your comfort zone, makes you feel like you can fly and usually makes you laugh!! 🙂 try a handstand on the trampoline and see how hard you laugh. Hehe. And thank you…I truly believe that. We are not a victim to our circumstances if we can stay present and choose to flip our own view point and perspective.
Have a great day and have an extra jump on that trampoline for me!!