Through the (stained) looking glass

As a stretching and flexibility coach, I spend most of my days helping people build stronger, more resilient bodies. It's work that grounds me and fills me with purpose. But today, I'm rolling up my yoga mats, putting away my resistance bands, and stepping into something completely different: a stained glass making workshop.

You might be wondering, "What's a flexibility coach doing in an art studio?" The truth is, this choice is rooted in something just as important as physical flexibility: the willingness to stay mentally and emotionally open.

When we commit to mastering something, it's easy for our lives to become a series of well-worn routines. Mastery brings satisfaction, but if we are not careful, it can quietly build walls around our curiosity. Over time, we can get stuck, not just in our habits, but in our thinking. The emotional landscape flattens out, shaped by the familiar highs and lows of predictable work.

Choosing something entirely new (even something as unfamiliar as working with stained glass) is an invitation back to wonder. It demands that I step into the shoes of a beginner, leading with curiosity instead of certainty. It calls for patience, a willingness to stumble, and a whole lot of openness. These moments of exploration have an immense effect on our mental health. They shake us out of our ruts, soothe the edges of anxiety, and remind us that joy can come from places that are not tied to productivity or achievement.

Creativity, especially when it is tangible and visual like stained glass, awakens parts of us that can go quiet when we spend too much time in logical, technical spaces. It sparks imagination. It strengthens our ability to solve problems. It offers a place where making mistakes is expected rather than simply permitted. There is something powerful and deeply humbling about trying to do something you are not naturally good at. It quiets the inner critic and grows emotional resilience in ways that few other experiences can.

More than anything, giving ourselves permission to step outside our comfort zone builds balance. Just like the body needs both strength and flexibility to stay healthy, the mind needs both focus and freedom to stay whole. New experiences help rewire our emotional systems, creating space for fresh joy, connection, and discovery. They give us a break from the constant striving that can wear us down and remind us that we are more than our job titles or our ability to perform.

Engaging in creative work also demands mindfulness. Working with tiny, delicate pieces of glass will require me to slow down, pay attention, and move with care. It is a practice in being present, not rushing to the next thing, but savouring the moment at hand. And in that way, this new adventure mirrors the mindfulness I teach in physical stretching. The work may look different, but the heart of it is the same.

And here is the real gift: stepping into a brand new space builds empathy. As a coach, I often encourage people to get uncomfortable, to push past what feels safe and easy. Today, I am walking that same path. I will feel the nerves, the vulnerability, and all the awkwardness of being a beginner. And that experience will deepen my understanding of what I ask others to do, and remind me why courage and compassion must always walk hand in hand.

In a world that often glorifies productivity and busyness, it is an act of self-care to make space for play, creativity, and exploration. Growth doesn't just happen in boardrooms, gyms, or therapy offices. It happens in art studios, on dance floors, and on hiking trails. Rather than labelling engaging with new disciplines a break from "real life," we should consider it a part of what makes life real and rich.

So today, I choose to create. I choose to explore. I choose to stretch, not just my body, but my mind and my spirit too.

Have a great day,

Dan