I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and worried. I know what it’s like to be the quiet one at the party. I know what it’s like to avoid crowded, noisy places. I know what it’s like to fear confrontation.
Although I didn't have obvious reasons to lack self-confidence, it wasn't always easy to be with other people when I preferred to be quiet, spend my time in nature and be inherently sensitive.
It often seemed that just as I was beginning to shine, someone would come along and blindside me. I'd let them knock me down. Way down. This was becoming a pattern throughout my life. Each step forward often had two steps back. But I kept going.
Little did I know, that my "hobby" was helping me get through far more than I realized. During one class, the teacher saw how I was holding my arms tensely and protectively in front of my heart. He softly said one word.
"Open"
The dawning came over me that he wasn't just referring to how I was practicing the form. That as I physically relaxed and softened my arms, I could allow for more flow in my body and life. When I began to consciously link my posture to my daily way of being, I noticed significant changes:
I learned how to become more grounded, centred and connected with myself. I’ve become more at ease in crowds. More confident in dealing with others. More content with myself and have less performance anxiety.
