I have been training Capoeira  for 30 months now and still cannot manage a cartwheel or handstand. I get part way to a handstand, then feel I am about to tip over and fear pulls me back. Fear of injury nd losing my livelihood, fear my arms will give as I saw happen to one woman who fell on to the top of her head. 

Recently someone asked me about a life pattern where anything good that happens goes into reverse. I had a reverse pattern called “Nick of time luck” where  things turn around  just before disaster strikes.  I suspect the difference between their experience and mine  is just interpretation. Then I realised a similar pattern in  my Capoeira, and in my professional life and in many areas where initial success is met with blocked doors and a need to chang direction

My questioner put down the pattern as the result of “Trickster energy” perceived round them by a Shaman. I thought a while and decided the pattern is not really a trickster pattern but more likely the result of internal conflicts. It could be caused by fear of success or damage - just as my Capoeira problems result from fear, low self esteem, a fear of change, or other factors. In this case it could be a problem with your Shadow, the personalised archetype that holds all that you had to reject when socialised.

If I am right this is a common pattern, and I seem to recall other people with the same pattern. The problem is how to deal with it. Not having any medical or psychiatric qualifications I can only give a few personal pointers

First reinterpret the pattern as continual rescue from disaster. This means you can ask whatever is rescuing you for help in preventing future problems. Second recognise that life has setbacks built in and most of them are foreseeable so look out for weaknesses and threats and have contingency plans ready. Third pay attention to your feelings. I take the feeling someone is looking over my shoulder when no one is there as a warning, especially in my professional life. Your signs will differ but you will eventually come to recognise warning signs.

Maslov's hierarchy of needs culminates in self actualisation, which is something like spiritual development, and I this reversal pattern could be the result of resistance to spiritual growth. Such resistance is almost always caused by the unconscious (do not be conceited enough to think you merit a personal demon pulling you down). A sudden change in financial situation prevents you moving up to the reproduction level. Breakdown of a relationship prevents you moving up in society and a loss of reputation can result in ego feelings that prevent you meditating. I therefore regard this pattern as a good sign. You are having problems because of resistance.

As an example, a negative attitude to your boss may result in lower performance that increases your risk of being laid off. This will show in your body language and the boss will respond to it.

On the mundane level you need  a SWOT analysis – strengths, weaknessess, opportunities, threats and have contingency plans for the threats.  You also need access to good advice and appropriate social  and support networks. And you need to revise the plans for time to time. You also need to recognise that change happens and keep  an eye open for new threats. If you are on the downslope of the curve you need to address problems  in the bud. You should also review how problems occurred  and how you may have created them in order to prevent recurrence.

As an example,  a negative attitude to your boss may result in lower performance that increases your risk of being laid off. This will show in your body language and the boss will respond to it. 

On the psychological  and higher levels work on integrating your Shadow and dealing with your ego which will tell you to worry  what other people think for example. Then develop affirmations that will help  the peaks get higher and minimise the troughs. The simplest affirmation I know is “I am lucky”. Develop  positive attitude and have faith that you will find  way to turn problems into blessings. Remember also that problems you created previously will take a while to work through the system.

These recommendations are not new age claptrap. By altering your self image and reinterpreting the pattern your body language will change.  That alone will change your world. But keep a good balance between Everyday Life, Psychological Healing and Spiritual development. If in doubt handle Everyday Life First for it is the foundation on which everything else rests.