I went to a CPR refresher class the other day and noticed I was apprehensive. A little nervous.
There was no expectation of me. I knew it wasn’t going to be particularly challenging, but I guess that was beside the point. It was unfamiliar. I don’t go around resuscitating people every day, thankfully for me, and thankfully for people.
It got me thinking about all the moments in life when we can feel out of place. Like we’re the only person who doesn’t know what’s going on, or everyone else has somehow been given the manual and we missed the memo.
We can choose to avoid these situations, or we can choose to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable.
So why do we feel like we’re expected to be good at yoga?
When did we decide that the more flexible you are, the better you are at being a human?
Why do we find ourselves comparing?
She’s more flexible.
He’s stronger.
How the hell did that person get their legs there?
I’m impressed by someone who has mastered a difficult yoga pose. But I’m perhaps even more impressed by the person who has never tried yoga, walks into their first class, feels a little uncomfortable, and gives it a go anyway.
Courage is being curious enough to try something unfamiliar and trusting yourself enough to decide where that takes you.
Being a beginner takes courage.
We’re used to doing things we’re good at. We become competent, experienced and confident. Then, somewhere along the way, we stop trying things where we might look a little foolish.
I felt like a big fool in my first yoga class.
And I felt like a fool again fifteen years later when I decided to do my yoga teacher training.
But somewhere along the way, yoga taught me to embrace the awkwardness in me. To try and be curious rather than critical. And to trust that there is strength in showing up, even when you don’t quite know what you’re doing.
We won’t always feel confident.
We won’t always know what we’re doing.
And that, my friends, is where opportunity and growth comes in.
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