#4 – Labels
I actually got another tattoo to offset some of my yoga tattoos “so people wouldn’t think I was a yoga flake“. I don’t always make the best decisions. 😉 Although it IS my favorite Maclaurin series and I do love answering the question from my students, “So it’s okay to tattoo the answers on my body then?”
Labels are, by nature, limiting.
- She’s a yoga teacher …
- I’m a mom …
- She’s a graphic artist …
- He’s a PhD …
- He’s a runner …
Begin to journal about how many times you have limited yourself or others due to your pre-conceived notions. Also, how many times have you had others limit you based on theirs? Do you use labels to give others an undeserved advantage?
- I suspect that yoga posture would tweak my back but she’s the teacher so she must know what’s best for me. [Unless she practiced yoga for 4 months before taking a yoga teacher training program from someone whose only been teaching 2 years. This is a huge problem in today’s yoga industry.]
- I’m [just] a mom. I couldn’t possibly have a successful business. [Can so!]
- What does a graphic artist know about managing a café? Let’s keep interviewing. [Even though her CV states that she was a shift supervisor at a fast food chain when she was in college. Today’s hiring practices make it extremely difficult for people to change careers if they get laid off, hate their jobs or took time off to raise their kids.]
- My dad is a PhD [in English] so he must know a lot about managing money. [Maybe. Maybe not. I’ve taught math at the college level for years and know multiple mathematicians who can write rigorous proofs about amazing stuff but struggle to balance a budget.]
- Runners tend to have tight muscles. It would be silly for him to go to yoga classes. [Ahem. The fact that he’s not flexible IS the reason for him to try yoga. Many runners who do yoga have become more flexible and, as a result, become less susceptible to injury. Yoga practitioners come in all shapes and sizes. It’s not a performance or competition. Just an opportunity to heal on the inside as well as on the outside.]
Remember the Panic Threshold?
If need be, go back and (re-)read about the Panic Threshold.
So far, I have introduced 4 out of the 5 ways to peel away some of the outer layers of anxiety so you can begin to function further away from your Panic Threshold. I am excited to introduce the fifth way.
In the meantime, keep working with the others.
| ॐ What have you done to improve your sleep? ॐ Have you started to lower your intake of caffeine and/or sugar? ॐ Are you ready to rephrase some of the problem statements? |
Detail in your journal any changes you made (big or small) and whether or not you think they went well. Note any emotions or thoughts that arose. Also note any physical symptoms or other resistances that appeared. Try not to label your attempts as a “success” or a “failure” – it’s more important that you challenge your old beliefs. If you haven’t driven in a while and you set out to the drugstore but only make it halfway, that is still an accomplishment! Try again another day. Maybe you will get 3/4 of the way. Again, wouldn’t you be encouraging to your friend if she were in the same situation?
I am excited to teach you the Key Method. You will hone it in a safe, controlled environment and then be able to apply it when you encounter challenging situations.
If you are willing to share, I’d love to hear about your experiences and thoughts. What else has worked for you that you that I haven’t mentioned? Reach out to me either by email or via social media (I have provided the links below).
Play my music in the sun1,
deb
1“The Joker”, Steve Miller Band