I've only tried a feathered peacock once...
And it didn’t turn out so well.
But I think you'll enjoy hearing about it…
So here’s the story.
I dabble in yoga.
As does one of my best friends.
And one Sunday we rocked up to a class.
Only issue was, the Beginner class was fully booked…
But the Intermediate class had space.
“No problem” we thought.
After all, we’d been to a few classes recently…
And our “Warrior One” was in pretty good nick.
So when the class began…
And the instructor asked if there was anyone less experienced in the room…
We kept our mouths shut.
And it started off fine with a few down-dogs to limber up…
And other familiar poses.
But as the class went on, things started to get trickier.
The instructor began naming poses I’d never heard of…
Like the Bound Lotus…
Feathered Peacock…
And Baby Firefly.
And it dawned on me…
We were out of our depth.
All I could do was scan the room…
And try to copy everyone else.
In front of me, a young lady contorted her body in wonderful ways.
She reminded me of a butterfly dancing in the breeze.
Another class member looked like she was levitating.
It was only by looking closer I could see she was balancing on one hand.
And to my right a third class member had one leg over her head, poised like a ballerina…
Gracefully unfurling her body like a waterlily blooming in to life.
The room was a living representation of elegance, poise and finesse.
Then I glanced over at my mate.
His teeth were clenched and forearms were trembling…
One leg rising and falling desperately as he grunted under his breath.
It looked like he would topple over at any second.
I was in a similar predicament…
My core was on fire and my arms were about to collapse.
I was suffering.
No two ways about it.
And I’m sure the Yoga Gods were suffering too…
Watching the calamity unfold with growing disbelief.
The class continued in the same way for 30 mins.
Before slowing to a halt…
And finally I could breathe again.
We’d made it.
It wasn’t pretty, but we’d survived.
And you know what?
If I could’ve seen how the class would go beforehand…
I definitely wouldn’t have gone.
But looking back now, it makes me smile. I’m glad I went to that class.
Sure, I made a bit of an idiot of myself.
But nothing bad really happened.
I’m still here, in one piece.
But more than that…
I have a greater appreciation for yoga…
And I learnt more in that class than in five Beginner classes.
It was a good reminder for me to take some chances every now and again…
To open myself up to looking silly…
And to lean in to discomfort a bit more.
Why?
Because even if I feel uncomfortable, I know that’s when good things can happen.
Maybe something to bear in mind.
On which note I’m gonna wrap this up…
Have a good Monday.
- Tom
p.s. Whenever you’re ready, here are the ways you can connect with me