The View from the Top: Embracing the Challenge in K9Yoga

Hey there, K9Yogi's!

I recently hiked up a mountain that turned out to be quite a bit steeper than I anticipated...and that got me thinking! We don't give nearly enough credit to doing hard things. Whether it's mastering a challenging K9Yoga pose with our dogs, or just navigating the ups and downs of life, we all face steep hills. And guess what? The view from the top is always (eventually) better than we expect!

Climbing the Hill: The Journey

Imagine this: you're on a hike, and you come across a hill that looks, well, daunting. Your first thought might be, "Can I really do this?" But with each step, you feel a mix of doubt and determination. You might stumble a bit, catch your breath, and even question why you started in the first place. But you keep going. Why? Because deep down, you know there's something amazing waiting for you at the top.

In K9Yoga, we see this all the time. Maybe you're trying to get your pup to relax in a new pose, or you're just trying to find the time and energy to get started with your K9Yoga practice! It’s tough, no doubt about it. But those small victories along the way? They’re the reason you keep going!

Unexpected Rewards: The Fresh Perspective

When you finally reach the top of that hill, the view can take your breath away. It’s more than you imagined. The landscape spreads out before you, giving you a new perspective on where you started and how far you've come. This unexpected beauty, this fresh perspective, is what makes the climb so worthwhile.

Glennon Doyle, in her podcast "We Can Do Hard Things," often talks about this idea. She says, "The braver we are, the luckier we get." It’s about stepping into the unknown, embracing the hard stuff, and discovering rewards we never saw coming. Whether it's a deeper connection with our dogs, a new level of peace within ourselves, or simply the joy of having persevered, these rewards are the view from the top.

Lessons from Our Canine Companions

Our dogs teach us so much about resilience and joy. They face their own challenges with a spirit that can inspire us all. Think about the determination of a pup learning a new trick or the way they keep trying, tail wagging, no matter how many times they have to start over. They remind us that persistence pays off and that there’s joy in the journey, not just the destination.

Conversely, sometimes our dogs are the ones that are struggling to face their own fears. Finding the right way to support them in climbing their metaphorical mountain can be a deep bonding experience, teaching us more about both our dog and ourselves.

Embrace the Climb

So next time you’re faced with a steep hill, whether in your K9Yoga practice or life in general, remember this: you can do hard things. Embrace the climb with the same enthusiasm and determination as your furry friend. The view from the top—those unexpected rewards, the fresh perspectives, and the personal growth—is more beautiful than you can imagine.

Let’s celebrate each step of the journey together, supporting each other through the challenges and sharing in the triumphs. Because at K9Yoga, we know that every climb, every challenge, and every hard thing we overcome brings us closer to that breathtaking view from the top.

 Keep climbing, keep pushing, and enjoy the beautiful view when you get there. You’ve got this!

With love and paws,

The K9Yoga Team 🐾🧘‍♀️