Ep 273 Adam Keen – Ageing & Injury in Yoga

In this deeply personal and reflective solo episode of Keen on Yoga, host Adam Keen explores the complex realities of aging, injury, and recovery through his own lived experiences. He candidly shares his journey with a chronic shoulder injury that led to a pivotal shift in his approach to Ashtanga yoga, followed by a progressive decline in his right hip that ultimately required surgical replacement. Despite initial fatalism and emotional struggles—including shame, identity loss, and the burden of being a yoga teacher who could no longer perform at his former level—Keen emphasizes the body's remarkable capacity to heal with rest, patience, and proper care. He contrasts cases where conservative recovery worked (like his shoulder) with those where surgery was necessary (like his hip), advocating for informed, multi-opinion decision-making and a mindset focused on future potential rather than past glory. Keen also delves into the emotional and psychological dimensions of injury, discussing how physical limitations trigger identity crises and the importance of maintaining small, consistent practices even during recovery. He draws inspiration from Rich Roll’s philosophy of becoming the person you want to be in the future, not the one you were in the past. Practical takeaways include the value of strength training, mindful dieting, mental resilience, and community support. The episode concludes with a powerful message: acceptance isn’t defeat—it’s liberation. By letting go of rigid expectations, one can find joy, ease, and purpose in a new version of themselves.