Perceived Limitations

What are our limitations? Are they real? Self imposed? Put on us by others? All of the above? I suppose it depends on who you ask and their perspective on things. Eight years ago I’d have laughed at you if you told me I’d be standing in front of a room of people leading a yoga class. I think the comedian who said most people would rather be in the casket than give the eulogy had me in mind. It’s extreme, I know, but I could relate to it.

And then my mom died. And I started practicing yoga. This practice of mindfulness In motion encouraged me to pay attention to my movements and breath. Eventually, it prompted me to hear the thoughts swirling around in my head. The one that would say whenever I thought of pursuing yoga teacher training “but you can’t get up in front of a room and speak. Your voice will shake. Your palms will sweat. They’ll see your heart beating out of your yoga top.”

Was this a legitimate limitation? Definitely! But was it one I had to live with? Possibly not. So I signed up for a Toastmasters class at a local Fortune 500 company. Toastmasters is a nonprofit group that provides a nonjudgemental place for people to improve their public speaking skills. You get everyone from professional motivational speakers to aspiring yoga teachers. It wasn’t easy. My voice shook and I practiced my speeches like I was running for office. But gradually my voice got steadier and my hands got stiller(by the way, diaphragmatic breathing helped a lot.) And then I signed up for YTT (yoga teacher training).

Are our supposed limitations ones we just need to accept? Can we conquer them and come out stronger for it? I think the answer will depend on who you ask and his/her perspective on things. As for me, I’m starting to doubt and question some of my mine and for that I am very grateful.