Bestest Friend and I are doing a blog project. Each day we will write a post on a pre-determined theme chosen by a random noun generator. The theme for the fourteenth day of the month is "Control."
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On Tuesdays, I like to go to a tabata fitness class through our local healthcare group, but sometimes it conflicts with regular meetings I have. In the past, I've just done a YouTube video or something to replace this class, but the newish yoga instructor at the community center has started to offer a class on Tuesday mornings that I have taken a few times when I can't make the tabata class.
This class is called 20/20/20 and, as the name suggests, it is made up of three segments of twenty minutes each. The first twenty minutes is devoted to dancing, the next twenty to yoga, and the final twenty to meditation. This class can help me with reaching my yoga and mediation goals, so it seems like a perfect fit, right?
Well.
It's not really a "guided" class. The teacher says things like "for this song, focus on your root chakra." Even in the yoga section, she' doesn't instruct, but just gives cues like "floorwork" and "flow." You can always look at her if you're really lost, but it's weird since she's not giving vocal cues to feel like you're one beat behind her. It's really outside my comfort zone and that's probably good for me, but I mostly just want to be told what to do in class. The total control over how I spend my time is not really my jam, to be completely honest.
Again, I think it's great for me to do things like this that are outside of my comfort zone, but I am always really glad when I get to that tabata class.
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| This class is in this gorgeous room, though, so at least there's that. |
When's the last time you did something outside of your comfort zone?
That room is gorgeous! Shavasana in there must be bliss... zzzz
ReplyDeleteIt is such a pretty room. It looks out over the river, too, so it's glorious.
DeleteThat seems like a vey odd class.
ReplyDeleteOdd indeed!
DeleteThat sounds interesting. Last time? When I had to paint an abstract for an art workshop. Definitely not my comfort zone.
ReplyDeletePushing outside of your artistic comfort zone is very daring!
DeleteThis makes me so anxious just reading about it! I would have no idea what to do! I want someone to tell me exactly what to expect, maybe with a little example, and then to do it with me, and then to give some hints about how to do it right, and then to give some additional instruction on possible modifications. Very impressed that you feel like this is a reasonable push outside your comfort zone, because I would nope out of there so fast. I cannot remember the last time I did something outside my comfort zone... I LOVE my comfort zone. It is warm and cozy and stress free.
ReplyDeleteShe makes a point that there is no right or wrong way to do things, but I sort of feel like if I just laid down on my yoga mat for 60 minutes and fell asleep, that would be wrong, right? I mean, I'm not super comfortable with this class, but maybe someday I can get there? I like my warm and cozy comfort zone as much as the next lady, but I think sometimes I'm too rigidly stuck there!
DeleteIt would make me very happy to spend an hour in that room each week. But yes, like you say the reason to go to a class is to be "told what to do". Last time I was outside of my comfort zone? Let me get back to you on that.
ReplyDeleteI find the lack of instruction to be very challenging. I just want to do what the authority figure tells me to do!
DeleteI tried a short chair yoga video and was surprised that the person did not speak at all. There were captions on the screen giving instructions, but that meant I was craning my neck all the time so I didn't miss anything, which wasn't comfortable from some positions. I did laugh when one of the instructions was something about moving from this into that "when you're ready, without looking at the screen"--you have to look at the screen to know that! It still seems very odd to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, man, I'm in pain just thinking about cranking my neck around to see the video while doing yoga. I definitely need verbal cues!
DeleteI love to stay IN my comfort zone, but feel like I end up doing stuff everyday that's outside my comfort zone - like trying to raise happy, well-adjusted kiddos in a crazy world!
ReplyDeleteEarlier today I was with someone I haven't seen in several years and learned they are going through an extremely hard personal matter. They don't really have any support (hard personal matters include a surprise separation from her husband) and I get the sense they basically don't have anyone to help them emotionally or practically. I wanted to fix it ALL for her, but knew I couldn't. I felt soooo far out of my comfort zone because she has so many concurrent challenges and I barely know her. I felt helpless, but hope that by listening patiently for an hour it did something to ease her burden and I'm going to try to connect regularly moving forward now that I know what's happening in her life. But definitely way out of my comfort zone!
Oh, wow! That does sound like it would be challenging to figure out the right reaction and the level of support you're willing to give. I mean, if you haven't seen this person for several years, you're obviously not super close, so what's the balance? It's so hard. On one hand, maybe you can strengthen that friendship, but on the other hand, does it seem like you're just butting in?
DeleteMy husband's co-worker was diagnosed with cancer last summer and as he's been going through treatment, we stop by every other week so he can pet the dog and I can make him food, and I think my husband thinks it's a bit strange to have such a personal relationship with a co-worker, but I just want him to know he's not alone (he is single) and that he can call on us for help at any time. But it was awkward to develop that relationship.
Hmm... I'm not sure I would feel comfortable in that class. I don't know, if I just want to do my own thing, I can stay home and do that. Just out of curiosity, how do other people feel? Is it a popular class?
ReplyDeletei like my comfort zone, but I do try to get out of it. Like, oh I don't know... doing a long race on a sandy trail (eye roll.) Definitely out of my comfort zone!
The class is new. I think it's been offered for four weeks and I have been the only person there for two of those weeks! She has a dedicated following for her more traditional yoga class on Monday night, but I think the combo of the time when this class is offered (during working hours) and the less traditional nature of the class has made it a hard sell.
DeleteI'm so excited to hear about the results of your race!
When's the last time you did something outside of your comfort zone? I drove into the city in torrential rain with a tornado looming so that I could get my husband to his colonoscopy on time. I couldn't see the road, we were sliding around on water slicks, and I was scared to the point of tears. However we got to the clinic on time and eventually my blood pressure went down again.
ReplyDeleteI hate driving in bad weather! Good on you for getting there safely!
DeleteI'm with you on this one. The point of a class is to be told what to do. I've just started 3:1 personal training and although its pricey, I'm happy to pay because I just turn up and get told what to do. I don't love doing weights and I want to make my time count.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that personal training is probably the exact opposite of this class!
DeleteI was talking to a friend the other day about our days and she said, "Well at least I did some yoga at home today." And I asked her what video she uses, and she said, "Oh I just do it on my own." And I was like, "But how do you know what to do?!?" So I'm with you too - self-guided/ unguided exercise would leave me a little floundering. Maybe if I exercised more, I would be able to figure it out?
ReplyDeleteI feel definitely out of my comfort zone at work these days. There has been a lot of turnover so I'm working with a lot of new people. They are all very lovely, but I was very comfortable with the colleagues I had. Of course the people I work with gig hop a lot more than I do and I really admire how comfortable they are working at new companies all the time.
I think your work life sounds very intimidating and like it changes all the time! I think what you do is very admirable and like every day is a different adventures!
DeleteOoh, the lack of direction would be very hard for me, especially as a yoga novice!! I would have no idea what I should be doing and would be looking around for some clues as to what the heck she was talking about. Ha. I used to practice yoga quite a bit when I lived close to a core power yoga in Minneapolis. But after I moved in with Phil, I stopped going since I didn't have a studio close by.
ReplyDeleteI've been out of my comfort zone A LOT at work these days. I"ve taken over a lot of things that my colleague who retired used to handle. It's been a period of growth, but also stress...
I honestly don't think a yoga novice would feel comfortable in this class! I mean, you COULD follow her movements, but without any instruction, how would you know what's coming next?!
DeleteI hope your work eases up soon. It sounds very hard!
I love the 20/20/20 concept, but goodness, I also need to be told what to do exactly. I'd be lost and that would make me so uncomfortable. On the upside, I suppose if you're 'moving' or 'stretching' you are doing something, right?
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm always doing "something," that's for sure! I just don't know if I'm getting the most out of my exercise time. I feel like a lot of folks would be uncomfortable with this style of class.
DeleteI have hives just reading about this. Nope. Couldn't do it. I admire your perseverance.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably go again this week because I have a Tuesday meeting that interferes with tabata. Please wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness. Good luck to you. I hope you find direction... somewhere? I'm already anxious just thinking about it. ;)
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