Body Over Mind

In order to fly the body has to get up high, real high. Higher than ever before I don't mean by the fine inventions of the airplane or a skyscraper elevator, I mean by silk fabric with the help of your Core, legs and upper body strength. "uh unh " my mind says, "I don't have it in me."

I started taking aerial boot camp classes this month and it has been a battle of body and mind and for once I want my mind to shut up. My mind says NO,  that signals warnings to my body

Stop, 

don't perform, 

you will get hurt!

this is dangerous. 

why are you even here? 

you don't even have a clue about jumping on a trapeze. 

You are not a circus clown 

You can never be like those people in cirque de soliel  

Don't you know everybody here is better than you?

You will Fail in front of a group of strangers and feel like a complete idiot. 

My mind visualizes me busting down the door to escape but my feet stays firmly planted on the gym mat.

 Although a few of those thoughts may have some truth to it why let them get in the way of actually having fun or actually being free from side commentary? 

I had to tell my mind to put a sock in it, it's body's time to shine, to glide, to fly. The body never tells the mind to stop learning, stop listening, stop thinking so my should the mind have all fun?

The question I had to ask myself was, How do I keep my non stop cranium from shutting me up in a closet of reclusedom? 

Answer came to me simply,

I clear it. 

I give in to my body for the moment. Shut the mind down. I give my body little compliments. I give my body attention and soothe it and rebuke any limitations that may want to surround it. I tell my body, "Hey, remember you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you." 

I focus my body on it's own goals and not the comparison of another. I treat my body to what it deserves, rest, relaxation and preparation for the workout of a lifetime. I push my body until it it tells me it needs to slow down; not my mind. 

I realize if it were up to my mind I would never try anything new or sign up for any physical challenges. My mind will give me facts and start quoting from books, my mind we give me advice, negative advice, nervous advice to send  my body to a halt.

I don't need that when I want to reach new heights. I need to be free, unchained, weightless. Last night I climbed the aerial silks for the first time. Honestly, it wasn't the most graceful climb and the instructor told me my feet needs alot of work but I got up there. No, I didn't reach the top but I was higher than the week before.

Next week my body will yearn to climb higher, it will be stronger and more agile for the effort. So I'm glad I gave in to the nature of my body and not the nature of my mind for this one. 

I walked out of the class with a sore body but a smooth accomplishment!

Aerial Boot Camp

Bridge for Dance Studios

2726 Broadway near 104 st-- 2nd floor.