For Those in the Shadows

I may have mentioned this before, but I’m on another new life adventure (what now?) and started my yoga teacher training program back in October. It’s a six-month program, 200 hours, plus a lot more time outside of the program itself.

When people ask me how it’s going, I often say that I highly overestimated what it takes to get an instructor license. I think most folks who sign up for instructor certifications initially think, “Oh, this looks easy. I can definitely do that.” And yes, while most people can do anything they put their minds to, it’s the “I thought this was going to be easy” mindset that often leads people to either completely hate the process or not finish at all.

I am officially halfway through the certification, and as my grad school professor once said, “If you can make it past Thanksgiving, I anticipate you’ll make it through the rest.” Supposedly, a lot of people don’t make it past Thanksgiving, in a new program that starts in the fall.

Halfway through, I find myself caught between nonstop fear and doubt, alongside practicing delusion; re-training myself to believe that I’ve done this hundreds of times before and will be one of the best yoga teachers in the world. No doubt, I prefer the delusion. But in reality, the discomfort I’m experiencing means that things are being brought to my attention that need to be worked through.

And I think that’s another part of starting a new path that you never expect; the part where discomfort requires inner work. Something you didn’t think you signed up for, but that definitely seems to be an unavoidable ladder you have to climb.

Outside of my yoga program, I also meet with my workout studio owner who has so kindly offered her time to mentor me and help prepare me to instruct at the studio. Our practice sessions often revolve around a theme that I’ve chosen that involves showing up imperfectly; showing up when you’re not ready, when you think things should be perfect, and choosing to show up anyway. Learning to trust yourself. Learning to believe in yourself.

During our most recent one-on-one, I told her that I’ve been trying to practice being delusional. The idea that there are people out there who may not have the talent or skills, but they have the confidence that gets them where they want to be. Meanwhile, those of us who underestimate ourselves often end up stuck in imposter syndrome; despite having the grit, skills, and talent - simply because we lack confidence.

Which brings me to a few things I want to share in this guide, for those who may resonate:

1. Show up prepared.
If you put in the work whether that’s studying, practicing, researching, even when you don’t feel like it; you will feel more confident, even if you don’t feel ready.

2. Be delusional.
Yes, it’s a buzzword that never really connected with me before, but now I truly understand it. Show up like it’s already yours. Like you’re one of the best in the room. Like you are the person you think you’re not quite yet. I truly believe the universe responds to that energy.

3. Be intentional.
Make time for the hard things and the goals you want to reach. Be serious. Sit out. Miss out. Focus. Put down your phone. Read. Carve out the time. Make your goals a priority that cannot wait. It’s okay. Long-term gains over short-term gratification, always. When you’re intentional with your time and effort, you know you’re giving your best.

4. Release fear and self-doubt.
Much easier said than done, I know. But what can you do? Practice affirmations. Write and journal. Do things you love outside of the goals you’re working toward. I was out to dinner last night telling a friend, “It almost feels like I shouldn’t even be here and should be home practicing.” She reminded me that while that choice would’ve been easy (she’s also in school and deeply resonates with the sentiment), it’s just as important to enjoy life and most importantly, your brain needs rest.

5. Rest and take breaks.
It often feels like we should be obsessing over getting things right, spending every second of the day trying to get there. But our brains retain information better when we rest in equal measure. Life is a cycle of work and rest; ignore that, and burnout is inevitable. A confident person knows when it’s time to take a break because they trust that they’ve got this.

6. Reflect.
Be aware of your feelings. Notice what comes up during moments of challenge; self-doubt, fear, anxiety. Awareness allows you to see those emotions and work through them. We’re human; emotions are normal. It’s how you address them that determines whether you move forward intentionally or let them take over.

There are probably a thousand more tips I could share, but these are the ones that have resonated most with me while working through this program. While I thought this journey would simply result in a yoga instructor certification, it has opened the door to a level of self-work that I’m deeply grateful for.

As I continue practicing being more delusional and everything else I’ve shared here; I want to close by reminding you that everything you need is already within you. I hope you take the time to find it, trust it, and share it with the world.

As always, till next time with love. RidethaVibe with Dee ❤️