Remember when you attend a class (Nia, yoga, Zumba, Spin, Boot Camp, whatever), it is for you. Remember that it is important to do what you need at the time you are in class. So you don’t have to do the pose, say you are in a yoga class, to your fullest if you need to save your energy for other things you have to do in the day or the rest of your week. You don’t have to prove to your instructor or other classmates that you can do it. It is more important to do what your body needs. Don’t be afraid to listen to your body intelligence.
I might have posted about this before. If not an entire post, I know I have mentioned it, but sometimes we need reminding. I recently took a class in which I was doing more than I should have. It was what I was capable of doing, so I was doing it. I had told myself before the class that I needed to hold back a little because I was feeling a bit fatigued and I had three more classes left to teach in the week, and I had a long weekend ahead. My allergies had been bothering me, and if you have allergies (hay fever) then you know how exhausting they are. I was tired. My plan had been to do modified poses, but then I got caught up in just DOING the poses and not in doing what I needed.
I found myself thinking to myself, “Listen to what you always tell your students. Do what you need to do at the time. You know you need to conserve a bit of energy for the rest of the week.” So I backed off. I was actually more proud of myself for doing less because I needed to, than if I would have done more just to prove that I could.
In saving a bit of my energy I was able to teach my Nia class the next morning with renewed and full energy. It was a great class. So again, I was so glad I listened to what I always encourage my Nia and yoga students to do.
Now, I am not saying not to push yourself, I am just saying that there might be times when it is necessary to do less than you are capable of and that is ok. I think you do more for your body, mind, emotions, and spirit if you respect your needs. I have a feeling this is not new information to you, that is why I started out this post with “remember”. However, it is one thing to know something and to actually do it. As I said, before class I told myself to be mellow and then once in class I didn’t listen to myself at first. I understand how easy it is to get caught up in the moment of doing, but with some modalities, like Nia and yoga, they are mindful practices. A great exercise in a mindful practice is to do it mindfully, which could mean doing less. Don’t be afraid to listen to your body intelligence.
Have you ever needed to do less in an exercise class? Did you? Did you have to keep reminding yourself?
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