yoga: arm balances workshop

a few weeks ago i saw an ad for a arm balance and inversion workshop at my yoga studio.  when i saw the ad, my first thought was that i should do it.  i've been working on arm balances and inversions almost since i've started practicing without a whole lot of luck.  a workshop would be perfect for me.  that being said, here are all the reasons i told myself that i shouldn't do it:

• i don't know what i'm doing and everyone else would
• i wouldn't know anyone
• i'd look like an idiot and everyone would wonder what i was doing there or think that i had no business being there
• i'd finally figure out a pose with a ton of props and everyone would give me pity congratulations

really nice, right?  who thinks these things about herself?  i hate to say that i do but i did.  i decided to combat these negative thoughts and signed up for the workshop.  it was over the weekend and i'm proud to say that i survived.

i was terrified when i walked up to the studio on saturday afternoon.  i sought out a spot way out of the way and waited for the workshop to begin.  as it turned out i didn't have anything to worry about (go figure).  there were many, many more people at the workshop than i was anticipating.  no one gave a flying flip as to what i was doing and there were varying levels of experience.  i managed to partner up with one of the teachers at the studio so i felt safe practicing the inversions (side note: while i ended up with a teacher, there was just as good as a chance that i could have ended up with someone as inexperienced as i was.  in fact, at one point i was partnered with a man who would hold me up too long and i kind of fell at one point.  not cool.).  while i don't think i'm any better at arm balances or inversions i'm very glad i went to the workshop.  i faced a fear, got an extra two hours of yoga in and learned something in the process.

what fears have you faced recently?

in unrelated news, our plumbing issue only ended up costing $60.  thank heavens!!