Overcoming your fears
This month I'm talking about fear and how a yoga can help us to build more courage and self-confidence.
I love watching students do a new or tricky pose. Their energy changes and there's a sparkle in their eyes. They get a sense of achievement and freedom - and suddenly anything seems possible. Sometimes, this new-found confidence flows out into their lives...
For other students, yoga is too hard or not for them. They’re stiff, afraid of getting hurt or failing so they avoid it. But, how do we know anything for certain without trying and how can we expect to get better at something without effort or practice?
Truth is - few people have achieved success without working hard. There's no shortcut or magic pill!
Apparently, it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. That's over 417 days of non-stop, dedicated practice. Whether it's a yoga pose, swimming in the open ocean, public speaking or spiders - if we want to conquer our fears and get better at something, we just need to start chipping away.
What are your biggest fears? Do you avoid things and situations that scare you? What would really happen if you gave them another go?
I once fell flat on my back attempting a standing drop back. I wasn’t hurt but I was shocked and embarrassed. I had done them without falling before, so it really unsettled me. I wanted to run away and hide. But my teacher rushed over to check I was OK and get me ‘back on the horse’...
Being careful is not a bad thing and can actually keep us safe. And while some of us may never put our feet behind our ears, swim the English Channel or become a great orator - it can't hurt to try. It's about the journey not the destination. It's about making progress and standing up to those internal bullies.
When it comes to standing drop backs, I proceed with a little more caution these days. I'm afraid of falling again but keep trying anyway. We can only overcome fears by facing them head on. By doing things that challenge us we learn and grow. And luckily, at yoga we get many opportunities to overcome fears and uncertainties.
I might drop back confidently again one day. In the meantime, I'll keep building my ‘bravery muscle’... Join me on the mat and create more courage, space and clarity in your body, mind and heart!
"Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty."
- Brene Brown
