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Conquering My Fears With Yoga

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So- I recently entered a contest sponsored by Clairol Nice n’ Easy haircolor.  The contest was called “Conquer Your Fears” and basically you had to go onto the Nice n’ Easy Facebook page and just leave a comment of your biggest fear you want to conquer.  After 5000 entries- the powers that be would pick up to 50 people to be a finalist- those finalists would upload a video of them conquering their fear, and if the powers that be liked your video you won a grand prize (they were giving out up to 50 grand prizes so potentially every finalist could win).

Anyway, most people stated the obvious- skydiving.  To me that isn’t a fear- that is just stupidity (no offense if jumping out of a perfectly good functioning airplane is your thang.  Although jumping out of space would be fun- but I am pretty sure I would have a massive heart attack once we went above 10 feet from the ground- only knowing that my only way down is to JUMP out of a perfectly good functioning weather balloon).  Other people’s fears were a little less risky like swimming in the ocean or returning to school.  I wrote that I have a fear of taking a  public yoga class.  I am afraid of making a fool out of myself.  Afraid of looking stupid.  What if I fall over and cause a domino effect in the entire class?  What if I lose my balance and crack my head open?  Would they continue class and work around me as I bled all over the floor?

Well, guess what?  Guess who got selected to be a finalist and now had to face my fear?  That’s right!  Me!  Your favorite Beet…..WHAT HAVE I DONE??

I made a call to a local yoga studio not too far from my house (the shorter the drive the less chance I had to jump out of the car).  The owner (Theresa) was very nice and accommodating.  She suggested I take a 1/2 hour private session with her where I could learn some techniques and poses before my actual first public class.

So- we set up a time and the day arrived.  I was immediately comforted when I saw how nice not only Theresa was, but the studio itself was very calming and serene.   We jumped right into some poses….

College Park yoga

College Park yoga

College Park yoga

OK OK…it’s not too hard.  She taught me how to breathe, hold my balance, pose, breathe, breathe…….

College Park yoga

Now for the real challenge…a class…with other people!  About 16 people- both men and women trickled in with their yoga mats and found a spot in the studio.  I grabbed my mat and found a place in the back- by suggestion of Theresa so I could watch others make the transition from one pose to the next. (The worst damage I could do was fall into the wall- then if I fell down no one would see me- I hope).  The class was about an hour and 15 minutes long…..many poses were difficult but she taught me the restorative pose to catch my breath and pause for a moment while others stood on their heads and balanced on their wrists.  OK- no one actually stood on their head- it was a beginner’s class- but I mastered the restorative pose– it is probably my favorite….

College Park yoga

Sorry- Chad wasn’t allowed to film the actual class so you will just have to trust me when I say I mastered this pose.  Open-mouthed smile

I will say this- people tend to think that yoga is peaceful and relaxing- and it is- but I worked up a sweat too!!

We then took our video footage home and edited it down to a 2-minute montage and I did end up winning the grand prize!  I even bought a package deal from the studio- yoga is fun- it would be a great way to supplement other activities like running and biking for me…..I just need to get myself in the car and go……

I also found a great book in the lobby but Chad has already warned me to not even think about it-

College Park yoga

Here is my “award winning” video- you can watch it if you promise not to laugh or make fun of me-

Check out College Park Yoga in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando in Florida.

College Park yoga

My next fear?  Mastering a soufflé……What fear would YOU conquer if you had a chance?

Helen Corbin

Wednesday 31st of October 2012

Fantastic, I am really really proud of you and maybe one day I will try it. Very funny narrative in the blog :-) You did a great job :-) Good videographer as well.