Once upon a time I surfed overhead waves.
I had just moved to Folly Beach after a Summer in Nantucket.
In Nantucket I had the benefit of fairly consistent gentle waves. Surfing there was full of ease and enjoyment and when I moved back to South Carolina I had very little fear around being in the water.
My first paddle out on Folly was in the middle of a Tropical Storm. The waves were at least overhead, likely more. I was going out with my man and a few of his friends, all of whom were much stronger and more experienced in the water than I was.
It was the perfect set up for fear, but I wasn’t scared. I was determined to stay present and take the challenge head on.
Eventually, I made it out past the break.
I positioned myself in the line up and when it was my turn I took the wave. I fell off as soon as I tried to pop up and the board tumbled over my head. I got tossed around, but eventually I came up for air.
In that moment I had a choice, acknowledge that logically I was not even close to ready to surf in such conditions or point my board out to sea and paddle like crazy to get back out past the break.
I chose to paddle out, again, and again, and again.
I never made it onto my feet that day. I got tossed every time I tried for a wave.
It was a wonderful day.
I chose not to let fear win.
I chose not to allow failure to define my experience.
I chose to take a chance, face the unknown, and move through the fear.
That day, believing in myself and pushing far past my limits came easily. There wasn’t really time to think about it as the waves were coming in fast and hard.
It doesn’t always happen easily.
Often, it is extremely challenging.
I’ve had a lot of students ask me about headstand lately. Each and every one of them is physically ready to practice the full expression of the posture.
The only thing getting in their way is fear and doubt.
Fear of falling, failing, disrupting others, and getting hurt…how often do these hold you back?
On the mat and off.
Let’s look at these fears a bit more clearly.
Fear of falling: Are you scared of falling out of inversions, arm balances, or standing balance poses?
Look into that fear a little bit. What’s it really about?
Is it a safety thing? Is it “what others will think” thing? Is it a perfection paralysis thing?
Whatever it is, challenge it. Try the pose. Push your edges. See what happens.
Fear of failing: It’s cliche because it’s true – you can only truly fail at the things you don’t attempt.
Whatever it is that you are not doing because you are scared of failing at it – do it – if you don’t/can’t/won’t -ask yourself why?
Then, ask yourself – is that reason really true? Investigate further from there, then either take action or take the action off of your goals list.
Disrupting others: This is a big one. Let’s start with getting super clear that you are allowed to take up space. You are not less important than anyone else in the studio (or anywhere for that matter.)
Also, most people that have been practicing for some time have fallen out of poses in class.
I’ve fallen and knocked down water bottles and blocks. I’ve fallen into my neighbor. Once, I tumbled out of headstand and crashed in the altar toppling over a full vase of flowers and water.
It happens. It’s fine.
Getting hurt: Learn to fall well. I’ll be making a video about this soon. For now, if you are in Charleston come to my class and ask me to go over falling with you. I am happy to do so. If you’re not in Charleston, find a teacher that you trust and ask them.
Falling correctly will keep you safe while you take risks. That being said, don’t over think it. Take a risk and let go of the outcome. See what happens. Learn from it.
Remember, pain and discomfort are not the same thing. If you are in pain, that’s a problem. Take some time to learn about your body and talk with a professional about what is best for you.
My friend Sarah Duvall, DPT is a rockstar. If you are interested in learning more about proper body mechanics check out her videos. I just enrolled in her group program and am loving it.
These tips are in relation to your practice on the mat, but as always, they are meant to travel with you into your life.
Live your practice, every day.
So now, I want to hear from you.
Please leave a comment below.
When have you taken a challenge or risk?
What are you scared of right now? How can you take these tips and grow with them?
I’d love to get a great conversation going on the blog. Perhaps it can start with you.
As always, thank you for reading.
Please share this with your friends.
Much love,
Katie