Dancing On The Edge Of Discomfort

I have a yoga principle for you today  –  that is also, in my opinion, a life principle. In yoga teaching land we say “Work to your edge”. Sounds very cool. But…when I first started yoga waaaayyyy back many moons ago, and the teacher encouragingly whispered “Work to your edge, Louise” to me the first time, I thought… “edge of what, lady?!” I didn’t know what she was on about. I later found out that “Working to your edge” means to take it to your “comfortable maximum”. Basically, this is the place at the top of your body’s ability. The edge of challenge and failure. The place where if you worked any less you’d be slacking, any more and you’d fall on your ass or hurt yourself. It’s a fine line, your edge. I like to say it is “Dancing on the edge of discomfort”  And here’s the important thing to know… The edge of discomfort IS WHERE WE GROW. That is where we find just how much we can expand our heart, our skills, our capacity, our LIFE. The place where we are challenged, scared we will fall on our ass, fail, or fly. Our edge for growth right now may be in business (do I try for that promotion? Start my own business?) in love (do I get vulnerable? Do I ask him/her out?) or in our body (do I take that crossfit class? Sign up to that race?). In order to have a rounded, and expansive life we are touching our edge in all directions… (when we are not, and we are too long in the comfort zone…that’s… Read more