My “Before and After”

10 year progress of bridge pose (backbends)

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” - Bill Gates.

When people ask the question “Am I too old to start training for my flexibility?”, I usually respond with “No” or “Never” because as a physio, I have seen patients improve their range of motion and strength even in their 60-80s. If your first response hearing this is “Really?” or “No way”, “That’s not me”, then the permission you are seeking is not mine but your own.

You mind is the one that sets the limitation on what’s possible or not possible for you. Your perfectionism is the little voice telling you “I am going to start when I have xyz ready or life settles down or when I have the time.” Your ego is the one that tells you “Don’t even try because you will make an idiot out of yourself if you fail.”

But what does your heart say? Does you heart refuse to believe you are too old for this? Does you heart send you emotions to prompt you into action? I haven been choosing to follow my heart despite my ego doubted me every step of the way and still is. But I want to tell you that the journey is WORTH it. Nothing beats aligning what your heart wants with your actions.

So let me ask you in another way - “If this is truly what your heart desires, how much longer do you want to wait before you give yourself permission to start?”

With Love,

Fei