Yip, the floor is there and risks are necessary. However, I'm questioning undesired physical risks for the sake of challenge and ego. I had this experience a few weeks ago, jumping off and over trees. Bit the dust big time. For 3 milliseconds I was Wonder Woman flying through the air. THUMP. I hurt myself, felt my body go into shock and gently talked and moved it out of it.
This made me look inwards because while I was doing the movements I KNEW, deep down, that I was not happy doing them. So why did I do it? Because neurologically there are benefits to doing something "foreign". BUT in embracing this concept, I have become a little bit of a sucker for pushing myself out my physical "comfort zone", thinking that I need to be "out" there to grow and challenge my set patterns. I’ve realised that's HOGWASH because...let's firstly define the term itself, then my physical "comfort zone"... and thereafter, look deeper to me simply not listening to me.
comfort zone (plural comfort zones) The range of temperature, humidity and ventilation that a building's occupants feel to be comfortable (by extension) The range of circumstances in which a person feels relaxed or able to cope
I continually strive to excel, advance and push the boundaries in my personal Pilates practice. I do yoga classes at least 3 times a week - twisting, balancing, breathing in all kinds of foreign manners in all kinds of different temperatures. I embrace any movement technique that makes sense to my body. I walk...I do this for my spirit, not my body.
Pretty sure this all does not warrant the label RUT. Because essentially isn't that what we laymen mean when we loosely throw around the term "comfort zone". When and what is ENOUGH?
I look back at the distinct times I've pushed myself towards something I didn't deeply trust in the moment.
2011 - I attend an international Pilates workshop and get up to demonstrate on the equipment. I feel it isn't set up for my dimensions but ignore me, trust the presenter and go for it. Pop goes my shoulder - dislocation. Months of pain and rehab.
2012 - Joyous horse ride with a friend, feel my ride getting edgy, tell the instructor that something ain't right, we keep going. I get thrown, flat on my sacrum. OW. Another few weeks of healing. Turns out my horse had a cut on his leg and wanted his own down time!
2013 - I know I'm not enjoying jumping on this tree but I push ME aside and actually over shoot the mark. BAM. I lie there tasting the earth and immediately know THAT THIS IS IT, (internal stamp stamp!)
I have been gifted a deep kinaesthetic intelligence that at these odd times I am not honouring. That makes me a little stoopid. Many others listen to me, why am I not listening to myself?
Because I had it all wrong. I thought my comfort zone might be a Pilates rut and discomfort necessary for growth, but it AINT. AND WAIT, there's more - I trusted incorrectly. I KNOW immediately when I trust someone with my body, you do too, we all do. We can feel it. We must trust THAT, honour THAT and move swiftly forward. No second guessing that inner voice, no handing over the responsibility of our bodies' safety to just anyone.
So consider whether your "comfort zone" is a rut or a place you are challenged, thriving and living to the full. If it's something that drains you and possibly hurts you or lights your fire and brings out the indisputable best in you...!
If you're unclear, I recommend joining the revolutionary goal setting exploration that is The Desire Map. Setting goals about feeling good and doing things based on your unique core desired feelings.
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Wishing you a safe and happy festive season, and a 2014 filled with feeling good - about you, your life and those around you.