In a previous article I talked about embracing a beginner’s mindset. I thought about this approach again today when I attended a hot yoga class. The format of class is almost exactly the same each time: the temperature of the room, the length and order of the postures, even what the teacher says. The only thing that is different each time is my mindset and whatever my physical or mental state is that day.
I haven’t practiced the Bikram-style format for several months, but I am very familiar with the series. I first discovered it at a glass walled studio in West Seattle back in 2006. I became intrigued and I’ve been practicing off and on ever since. Whenever I return to the hot room–no matter how short or long of a break I take–I feel some of my old fears cropping up throughout the class. I am haunted by memories of my heart beating uncomfortably fast as I bend backward for camel pose or my legs feeling like they are about to give out as I attempt the full expression of standing-head-to-knee.
I think it’s natural to recoil when we are expecting a negative response, or a difficult feeling. But if we recognize that there is value in the process, or the ultimate benefit outweighs the risk, then we may decide it is worth while to continue.
I was thinking about the definition of insanity–doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result–and how it relates to this idea of approaching the same challenge with a new mind. While trying to make sense of this comparison I discovered this article by Dr. Ryan Howes: The definition of insanity is… Dr. Howes argues that this widely quoted definition of insanity is just “catchy saying” without much merit. Instead he focuses on the difference between perseveration and perseverance. Both are related to approaching the same challenge over and over, however “Perseveration feels compulsive, hopeless, helpless, automatic and unsatisfying. There is a desire to stop, but stopping doesn’t feel like an option. Perseverance feels like striving toward a noble goal, and whether or not it’s reached there is virtue in the effort.” (Howes, 2009)
These actions generate different (virtually opposite) feelings, but it’s not because of the repetitive behavior, it’s because of the mindset. When we repeat a challenge with our eyes open we are much more likely to see a different result, and when we reapproach a difficult interaction with our hearts open we are much more likely to allow space for a positive change.
When I started feeling anxious about impending postures during my yoga class today, I simply told myself “just because I felt a certain way in the past doesn’t mean it will be that way today.” Letting go of negative assumptions helped me find more joy in my practice.
Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. – Buddah