You don’t quite know what falling is like until, well, you actually fall. So why fear falling in the first place? Usually, we don’t fear falling in and of itself, but the unknown that comes with falling. What happens when I fall? Will I break a bone or two?
Maybe I won’t fall after all. Maybe I will fall, and realise it’s not too scary. If I fall, I’ll at least know what to expect next time and I can prepare myself for it.
Over the course of this YTT, we’ve had to face various fears. Fear of falling out of inversions (I’ve had my fair share of epic fails; sorry Mr Mirror and my mat neighbours), fear of speaking in front of a large group, fear of failing. Sometimes I get so clammed up in a group class when the teacher is watching/assisting me in a pose that I just cannot seem to get it. But TYM/Jess/our YTT batch have created a wonderful safe space for us to fall, fail and face our fears.
In addition to the development of mental and physical strength, yoga opens up a whole community of support. My practice is a personal journey, enriched when it intersects with others’. There will be fear, but there are ways to overcome them. (Like Jess’ favourite ‘shock therapy’.) Usually the largest obstacle is our own mind! There may be judgement from others, but at the end of the day, it’s my practice.
