Get comfortable being uncomfortable

I've been going to therapy for 9 months now. So much has been discovered, unpacked, and accomplished.  The work is far from over. As previously written about in this blog, I've shared my weight loss struggles, on-going journey, goals, and triumphs when goals have been met.

During a session with my therapist I mentioned one of the things I wanted to do before I turned 50 was to try aerial yoga, but I had an intense fear because of my body size. I shared that in my head, I'm elephant size and while I've lost weight and have kept a good amount of it off, at times, I see myself as a bigger woman, thus creating an intense fear of trying aerial yoga.

Of course, a facility wouldn't allow me to practice aerial yoga if it weren't safe for me to do so. There would be restrictions posted on their website similar to signage in bars that drinking may cause birth defects should pregnant women drink, right?  My therapist advised that when thoughts of fear came to mind trust that I'm not going to fall and the establishment would not risk me using the equipment if I could be injured.

I set a mental goal to attend an aerial yoga class before my next therapy session. Having a few weeks to meet the goal, I procrastinated until the last possible class time to sign up. Prior to class, I met the instructor, expressed my fears and concerns, examined the anchors, and took the leap! You want to talk about being uncomfortable, beyond scared, and not trusting of the process. Yeah, that would be me!  Some of the moves I completed. Some I watched happened.  The best part, Donna, the instructor was patient with me and helped when I needed it.  I would definitely try aerial yoga, again.  
I think my experience will be different since I will now know what to expect.  If you're in the Oakland, CA area, check out Atomic Allure (www.atomicallure.org) for classes.  They have pole classes, as well.  I think I'll try that next!