I am the first to admit that when I go to a yoga class, I am there for the yoga itself and I completely tune out the spiritual side of yoga. Recently, I was in my favorite Core Power hot yoga class and the instructor was talking about “finding your edge”. This time, I was intrigued.
As she began to describe what Baron Baptiste refers to as your “edge”, something clicked in me. Each of us has our own “edge”. Our edge is a place where we feel “comfortably uncomfortable”. Hmmm that was interesting. I started to think about what that meant to me. I have always found it difficult to step out of my comfort zone but the last few years, I’ve noticed I am a little more willing to try to do so.
How I am working on finding my edge
Yoga
That day, after hearing her describe this elusive edge, I tried a variation on a crow. A funny thing happened, I could do it! Part of my reluctance to try some balancing poses is that I think I am going to fall and hurt myself. Right now I am happy to stay right there and practice that baby crow some more. I felt like I took a giant step forward towards finding my yoga edge that day.
Running
I know I don’t push my pace enough while running. Something in me just holds back ever so slightly. I am not exactly sure what I am afraid of? Maybe I am afraid of not finishing a race. Maybe for me, finding my edge in running is trying new things like relay races or triathlons. Perhaps I have not found my comfortably uncomfortable place in running yet.
Life
Lately, I’ve found myself stepping out of my comfort zone a little more. If someone had told me a few years ago that I was going to start an MRTT chapter or a fitness blog, I would have just laughed. Those are 2 things that were so far out of my comfort zone but turned out to be wonderful steps for me. I just agreed on a whim to take over all of the Girls on The Run programs for the entire elementary school that I have been coaching at. I know it’s going to be a lot of work and I’ve never done anything like that before. I am excited about the new challenges that are coming my way.
Tell me-Is it hard for you to step out of your comfort zone? How do you find your “edge”?
Linking up with AnnMarie, Nicole, Jen, Michelle
Stepping out of the comfort zone = EVERY DAY for me. I remember when I used to shelter the CRAP out of myself and I would get really upset if anything in my routine was messed up. But you cannot live life like that … Or at least I cannot any longer. Especially NOT in the industry I work in… And not with a fiance who has a schedule that changes literally in 2 seconds every day.
Yes exactly! I am really trying to be more flexible myself
I love leaving a yoga class with a great idea for a post! Glad to see you finding your edge. You know I’m pushing my limits all the time.
I know you do and it is so inspiring! Yes leaving class with an idea is always a plus 🙂
I can completely relate to this! When I first starting going to yoga class regularly, I would just do things but it took one instructor’s encouragement to be “comfortably uncomfortable”. I now try the harder poses and love it. As well as running, I haven’t been pushing myself enough and feel I can do better there. In life, I’ve been stepping out on the edge in some areas but not all, thanks for the reminder!
I needed a reminder as well. Funny how the things we hear in yoga can really apply to so many parts of our lives
I would like to think that I step out of my comfort zone a lot or at least I am not afraid to but yoga would be the edge for me. I have never been very comfortable in a yoga class!
I never really was comfortable either until more recently. I just love how I feel when I leave all stretched out.
I’m working on this aw well. IThat was part of why I wanted to post some goals last week–to put it out there, to try to keep myself accountable. I need to find my edge again, as well. In all walks of life!
It’s definitely good to take a look at it once in a while and reevaluate.
I love this…”finding your edge”. I definitely hold back with my running and I realized that when I stopped doing that I had a lot more potential than I realized! I love that you’re challenging yourself and opening yourself to new opportunities. I bet you’ll do an amazing job with GOTR!
Thanks! I think I am ready to push my edge a little more too I just need to find out how.
This is such a timely post for me. I’ve actually pulled back from my edge over the last few years. Aging, injuries, all made me not WANT to be uncomfortable any more. Thanks for the kick in the pants. Because it’s true, if you want to get better, you have to find that edge.
You do have to find that edge to progress but I believe it can be done smartly. Let’s both do it!
its totally hard for me to step outside my comfort zone but i find my partner helps me with that- he pushes me and its great!
I need a little push myself sometimes we all do!
Having a kid is one life event that causes me to constantly step outside my comfort zone. He teaches me a lot about myself and how it’s good to grow and push ourselves. I enjoyed reading your post and seeing how you are finding your edge.
Having kids definitely takes you out of your comfort zone for sure!!
Have you considered a running coach?
I have a pers trainer who also helps me with my running and tri training. Do you use a running coach?
Stepping out of our comfort zones is the key to growth! One of my favorite quotes is, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” It’s so important to all aspects of life 🙂
I totally agree! Not always easy to do though 🙂
This is awesome! It’s so true that the magic happens just outside of where you’re comfortable. Things don’t change unless you put yourself out there and do something different.
Yes definitely!
I also tune out the spiritual side of yoga, it’s just not my thing. I’ve heard about “finding your edge” before and I do like the concept of being comfortably uncomfortable, both in fitness and in life.
I think I might try to pay more attention in yoga class from now on!
Just taking a yoga class would be out of my comfort zone. :p I too took a step when creating my blog. Lately with running, I’ve been pushing myself more and it helps to have a fast friend to get me going. Way to go on taking over all of the GOTR programs, I’m sure you’ll do great!
Yoga is a little out of my comfort zone for sure but I am feeling more confident in there. Blogging was never something I saw myself doing either!
It’s funny, Jillian Michael also talks about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. I have a hard time with that as well. But I’m working on it 🙂
I’m finding it easier to step out of my comfort zone as I get older. I too stepped out and tried yoga and PIYO a few years ago thinking I would hate it and fell in love with Piyo!
I actually brought my Piyo dvds with on vacation, had to go get a external dvd player after realizing when we got here I had no way to play them, lol. Also trying to relax, enjoy the lack of a schedule, only do Piyo (plus hiking, walking, family runs, ect but nothing else structured), enjoying all the food, and trying to just let go and relax which is much harder for me than it sounds.
Isn’t it funny that we feel more free as we get older?! Hope you are having a great vacation
Part of me is SO cautious but I am starting to listen to that older wiser side that says, why not? I like her 🙂
I like her too! 🙂
I’ve definitely stepped out of my comfort zone this year — and it’s been so rewarding and energizing!! That’s where the growth happens, for sure!
It is rewarding isn’t it?!
I can totally relate to what you said about pushing yourself with running. Sometimes, I’m able to just let go and run fast with no effort (key word: sometimes LOL)…..not sure if it’s a fear of going too fast and tripping/falling (cuz I am kinda klutzy) or if I don’t see myself as a “fast” runner and don’t want to look like a poser. Maybe I’m just not willing to give it my all because I still know there will be a lot of others going much faster (with much less effort). Who knows???
Yes those are exactly some of the same thoughts that I’ve had!
I’m def stepping out of my comfort zone alot more. Taking more chances and seeking more opportunities.
It feels great doesn’t it?!
You wouldn’t know this based on my profession or my blog, but I’m very much an introvert. I push myself everyday to push my boundaries, especially when it comes to communicating with others. Kudos to you for finding your edge in multiple aspects of your life.
No I wouldn’t have guessed that at all! I feel like I’ve gotten so much more comfortable in my own skin as I’ve entered my 40’s
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be a great way to find your edge! Sometimes it’s scary, but most of the time, trying new things is very rewarding 🙂
It can be scary and rewarding for sure
I like living on the edge! 🙂 As you know, I braved the Custis Trail this weekend. That was HUGE for me. I was so proud of myself!
You should be proud and I love the feeling of accomplishment after doing something new and challenging
Good for you!! I am finding my edge in orchestra – sitting at the first stand of the viola section is scary but fun 🙂
Exactly! Congrats to you!
I taught a hot vinyasa class last night and finding your edge/today’s edge was the theme. My round about way to focus on being present on the mat.
Very cool.
I love that! I am starting to realize that yoga has messages that I can use in my life if I am open to them
Great post! I feel like as I have gotten older I am able to push myself a bit more. Ha! One benefit of getting older I suppose.
I totally agree! I’ve become much more comfortable in my own body as I’ve entered my 40’s.
I love the spiritual side of yoga, too.
I am such a wuss when it comes to falling, obviously, just read about my SUP experience. And I cannot do crow to save my life — for that very reason, fear of falling.
Wow, GOTR is going to be sooooo lucky to have you! Congrats!
I used to always just tune out the “fluff” in yoga but I might start listening 🙂
I love this! I can relate to this with yoga and running too, and in life (with my business). With running especially, I just am afraid of being “uncomfortable” and not being able to finish a long run, that is where I really struggle. Definitely something to work on during marathon training!
Yes it’s great to be aware of it for me too
I love the comfort zone graphic – I had a guest poster on my blog use it a couple of years ago and it’s always stuck with me. Being married has forced me out of mine big time – we started dating, eloped, and moved across the country in the span of 4 months. I’m a planner… it was terrifying and amazing all at once. Loosening my grip has been fabulous though!
Wow that is a lot of change in 4 months!
That’s so great! I was really good at stepping out of my comfort zone before kids, but now I feel like I lost a piece of that…definitely have to work on getting that back! Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks! I feel like I am more comfortable doing it now than I was in my younger years.
I’ve definitely been trying to (and also been forced to) step out of my comfort zone a lot in recent years. I’m learning to roll with the punches! :] I used to be so sheltered, hahaha. I really like what Anna said about being comfortably uncomfortable!
I bet you have had to step out of yours a lot with all of your training. We can be a little sheltered while living with our parents but maybe that’s not such a bad thing either
I’ve spent much of 2016 stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s been challenging, but in the last month or two, I’ve started to see the fruits of that labor across many of my 2016 goals!
Well that’s great to hear keep it up!!
I need to push myself outside of my comfort zone, and I do, but it is not always easy. I just tell myself that is what makes life interesting and worth living.
Yes exactly!
I am just catching up on your blog today, because when I saw your instagram today I realized that for some reason I have not received your last at least one week of posts and I never unsubscribed…. I don’t know why…. I am going to re-subscribe and see what happens…. Anyway, I LOVE this post…. I was a yoga skeptic…as was my husband…. Sometimes you just start going to class, and then eventually the other more spiritual side just kicks in…. it actually took a couple of years of going for it to do that for me…. I love that you are running all of Girls On The Run…. I so admire that! Bravo!!!
I always used to tune out the spiritual side but now I think I might be ready to pay a little more attention to it. Thanks for stopping by!
You will love coaching…..I coached an elementary cross country team for seven years and when we brought home the city wide trophy one year for the girl’s team….well that was the icing on the cake! My EDGE has always been continuing to work with special needs kids- it’s my 41st year.
Working with kids is so rewarding and I love to share my passion with them as well.