What Lifting Weights Taught This Yogi

I've always been into trying all of the ways that I can move my body. When a CrossFit gym moved into my small town, I wanted to try it right away. I had been intrigued by CrossFit for a while, but too chicken to go into a gym where everyone knew what they were doing. I thought that being a new gym, there would be lots of new people there and maybe I wouldn't look like a fool.

I loved it right away. I found the community at the gym very similar to that of a yoga studio. Diverse, supportive and down for having some fun as well as doing the work. As I learned more and gained confidence, several of my long-time aches and pains went away. I found most yoga poses became easier (of course not all poses...binds are definitely harder now that my legs are larger).

Here's what I've learned over the last few years:

1. If I approach a barbell with any bit of uncertainty, I won't be able to lift it. Mindset is everything. When you believe you can do something, you will prove yourself right. This is a big lesson that applies to all aspects of life.

2. People who are better than you at anything won't judge where you're at on your journey because they've been there and want to see you succeed.

3. Yogi's tend not to be interested in lifting weight and weightlifters tend not to be interested in yoga, but magic happens when you try equally at both.

4. If you want to get better at something, join a group or find a partner who is better than you at that thing to work with...you'll catch up quickly, even if it is a rough initiation.

5. We all have different skills. Give yourself credit for the things that YOU are good at and be a student of the things that are an opportunity for growth for you.

6. If you've been doing the same thing over and over and not getting results, question what you are doing. If something is always sore in your body and stretching it isn't helping, there is probably some good value in spending some time strengthening it.

7. And finally, it's TERRIFYING to be a small fish in a big pond, but it's so much more rewarding than being a big fish in a small pond.

It's called a comfort zone for a reason...it's comfortable there. You can't grow in your comfort zone. Growth happens just outside of your comfort zone.

Are you curious about trying CrossFit, spin, yoga or anything else that is intimidating to you? My best advice is to find someone to do it with. There's strength and accountability in numbers.

Don't want to rely on someone else? I get it. Is there an opportunity for private coaching in what you're looking to try? This usually has a higher price tag associate with it, but in most cases you really get so much more from private sessions in ANYTHING. In a private session you get the best advice for the level you are at, you get all of your questions answered and you have a professional's eyes on you and you alone for your session and if that professional is skilled, they will be able to teach you in the way that you learn best. It's basically a leg up on learning that will set you up for a safe and enjoyable experience.

How about you? Is there a movement practice you've wanted to try but something is holding you back? Have you ever tried something and got way more out if it than you expected?