OPINION
Today is the 184th day of 2023. The year feels like it just started, and it’s already half done. That’s a little scary. It is, however, a great day for myself and everyone else who jumped on the yogi23 initiative. We have practiced at least a half hour of yoga every day for the last six months. That’s 184 stretchy sessions so far, and boy, do we feel good.
Earlier in the year, I wrote an article encouraging people to join me on my yogi23 journey. You may remember it. I argued that New Zealand is crammed with stiff, creaky humans. Many of us are painfully rigid, both mentally and physically. As a naturally unmalleable person, I thought I’d reach out to others like me to encourage them to loosen up.
Since launching yogi23, I’ve received hundreds of messages on the topic. Positive communications from those who are all in on the daily yoga and are reaping the rewards. Some negative messages from those who hated it and have given up and blame me for wasting their time. A lot of mixed messages from those who just want to say hello. Then there was one especially appreciative correspondence from a partner of one of my yogi23 brothers. She slid into my Instagram to express just how much she enjoys having a flexible person in her life. There had been notable improvements in his mood, drive, physique, flexibility and performance. Apparently, her husband has become keener and better at all kinds of things.
If you didn’t start yogi23 on January 1, no problem. You can start today, practice for the next six months, and hit 2024 as flexible as a garden hose and as happy as an otter. That’s where I find myself at the halfway point. I no longer grunt when I get up or hold my back in pain at the end of a long day. The aches are gone, and I can climb over or under anything. I sleep great, wake energised and my golf swing has improved (it’s still embarrassingly bad, but definitely better). Yoga is like booking a lube job for your car, but you are the vehicle.
