Yoda Wisdom

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE JANUARY 27, 2010

Here’s some Yoda wisdom.  A few mantras to run through your head to keep you motivated, in the event your I-pod isn’t doing it for you.  (If you don’t know who Yoda is, join Netflix and get caught up on the early Star Wars films.)

Frank Oz of Muppets fame (he gave voice to Fozzy Bear, Grover, and Miss Piggy among others), and for many years now an excellent film director, provided the voice-over…glorious work in its time.

But I digress, so let’s get on with:

Yoda says:  “Try not.  Do.  Or do not.  There is no try.”

Trainer Jane says: We all know how Nike expresses the same theme….

Y: “If you choose the quick and easy path, you will become an agent of evil.”

TJ:  Ouch.  Evil, he says.  Well, Fitness and Wellness and Optimal Health are truly an investment and a journey.  It takes time, it takes effort, it takes endurance to change your life for the better.  Shortcuts aren’t good for you.  You are going to love the results of what is good for you, though.  You might even enjoy the journey!

Y:  “Named must your fear be before banish it you can.  [Luke:] I can’t believe it. [Yoda:] That is why you fail.”


TJ:  And how about Yoda’s syntax?  And his penchant for holding up the mirror to his student.  Are you afraid of sweat?  Are you afraid of hard work?  Of injury?  Of  being different from your friends or family?   Of not being the best?  Or, are you afraid of success?  Name it, face it, then let’s conquer it.

Y:  “You will find only what you bring in.”

TJ:  I had an extroverted version of the same concept posted on the ceiling of my training studio back in the day (to inspire us while we lay on our backs doing crunches):  The person on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.  The more you put into it, the more you are rewarded.  Yes, small steps will make small changes… and when you accumulate more steps you will experience more change and more betterment.  Bigger commitments yield bigger results.

It all keeps coming back to you.  Put quality in, like with clean whole foods and fresh water and smart movement, and you get quality back in the form of a healthy and strong body and mind.

Take the Yoda path.  Happy, healthy, prosperous New Year, everyone!