Recognizing when to keep going and when to step off
Aug 03, 2021
In yoga, you’re asked to find that line where you’re uncomfortable and play in that discomfort. Work with your breath to manage the discomfort. Learn when to push that discomfort a bit more. Know when to back off.
Working through discomfort on the mat allows you to work through it off the mat. It also sharpens your ability to tune yourself to recognize when something doesn’t feel right and pivot.
Sometimes the message is - I’m scared right now, but I’m going to take the risk because I know I know my soul needs this.
Other times the message is - I’m scared right now because this isn’t right for me. I’m going to take the risk. I’m going to stop and change course.
Simone Biles gave us a powerful example of this last week when she stepped out of the Olympics gymnastics competition. All eyes were on her. She was under tremendous pressure to perform, excel and succeed, yet she recognized the risk was too great to keep going. She knew that pushing in that moment could have resulted in catastrophic injury.
She took the risk to step away knowing it could result in external backlash and disappointment.
But leaving the competition was what was in her best interest.
She knew this is what she needed to do.
She set a powerful example of honoring that line and putting her own well-being first. Through this she practiced emotional and mental strength, vulnerability, and resilience.
“We have to protect our mind and body rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.” ~ Simone Biles
