Some yoga teachers like to make their students feel as comfortable as possible.
And hey, that’s great. People need to feel comfortable sometimes.
But I’m not one of those teachers. Let me explain.
I focus on making my students feel safe.
I focus on calming their nervous systems and grounding them initially.
And I do all of this so that ultimately I can stir them up.
Push their buttons.
Take them out of their comfort zone.
And I do this because of a very strong belief I have. A belief that I have been thinking about a lot lately…
One of the greatest tools our yoga practice can give us is how to be with our discomfort while remaining in our power.
Think about it for a second. You’re in a chair pose for a full minute. That shit is uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s not chair pose. Maybe it’s something else.
In my classes it’s things like buzzing your lips, or sharing in front of the class, or singing, or dancing or even gazing into the eyes of a stranger.
I’ve done all of this in my regular open classes. Crazy pants. I know.
But my interest isn’t just about stretching your hamstrings. I’m way more interested in stretching your comfort zone.
And this is what I’ve been pondering lately.
Think about how many moments could be different if people had the tools to deal with being uncomfortable.
Think about how many relationships may have turned out differently.
How much kinder we could be with each other.
How many connections could have been made.
How many workplaces that could run more smoothly.
How many lives that could have been saved.
Think about how much easier it would be to deal with people’s differences.
To honor those that don’t share the same beliefs as us.
Think about how much easier it might be to heal.
How much easier it might be to communicate.
I think so much of this lies in our ability to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Because when we are uncomfortable and don’t know how to deal with it our guard tends to go up.
We tend to shut down. Or rage out.
Or simply react instead of respond.
We also tend to seek out ways to numb our discomfort through things like food, or alcohol or drugs or sex.
I’m not saying all those things are bad. It all has to do with the intention.
And I believe that a lot of people don’t even consciously realize they are behaving in response to their discomfort. To their internal suffering. It just happens.
Which brings me to what I believe is the other most important tool the yoga practice gives us:
Self awareness.
When we can look at ourselves and realize what we are doing and what these action are in response to, we can then choose to empower ourselves with a conscious next step.
I know for me this is key.
Like when my fiance’ Nick and I are in an argument and I have the power within myself to stop and take a breath and realize that how I am reacting actually has nothing to do with him.
Then I can move from my power and our conflict is often squashed pretty quickly. We are both really good at this.
But all of this stuff take a lot of courage.
And love.
And steadfastness.
It’s so much easier to succumb to feelings of discomfort.
To try to make them go away as quickly as possible.
Because that shit is not fun.
But that really doesn’t get us anywhere.
Instead what would happen if we took a deep breath?
Listened to our favorite song.
Called a friend to get some support.
Looked up at the vast sky and revel in its beauty.
I know this won’t always work. But hey it’s worth a try.
And of course there is always the yoga practice.
Waiting for you.
When you are ready to discover more about yourself.
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