As human beings, we are creatures of comfort. Routine and familiarity help us to feel more safe and secure, calming our nervous system. But if we just stay in our comfort zone, it’s hard to learn and grow. What makes life amazing is stretching our comfort zones to see what we are capable of and to get to know ourselves better. It’s not that you need to constantly be stretching your comfort zone because that would send our mind and nervous system into a state of panic. We can’t learn there. Instead, it’s using practice and self-awareness to dive into discernment – when to stretch and when to relax where we are. 

STRETCHING THE COMFORT ZONE IN A YOGA POSE

An example of this is in Asana (Yoga Pose). Let’s take Paschimottanasana or seated forward bend. Time and time again, I see people reach their hands to their lower legs, ankles of feet and PULL their upper body forward. This is a forceful movement, which can be jarring to the body if it’s not ready to be there. This is an example of pushing the comfort zone of the pose, which can lead to the body resisting, the breath holding, and in the worst case, injury.

Stretching the comfort zone of the body in this pose is bending forward, taking note of where the body stops. Then, staying there breathing, letting the hands rest on the floor by the legs. After a few breaths, the body will naturally let go a little so there’s some space to bend forward a little more. Take time to enjoy that space and notice how it is to be there. Maybe more space will be created, maybe not, but it really doesn’t matter. You are present, breathing, and allowing your body and nervous system to regulate. Over time, with practicing this way, you will create change in this pose.

Staying in your comfort zone is thinking about getting into Paschimottanasana, then deciding you’re comfortable staying upright so not bending forward. This is neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad.’ Yet, if every time you’re invited into a seated forward bend, you decide to stay upright, what does this pattern create in your body and mind?

It’s the same thing if you do a Yoga pose (asana) the same way every single time. Or have in your mind the ‘right’ way to do a pose and limit your body to that way of doing it. 

CHANGING PATTERNS

We all get into patterns in our body and mind. Traditional Yoga offers us the opportunity to explore patterns and see what happens if we do things a little differently. This is the process of discernment and detachment (viveka and vairagya).

The science of neuroplasticity agrees with this process. Our brains have potential to grow and change throughout our lifespan. I use the word ‘opportunity’ here because if we don’t’ stretch our comfort zones, it’s hard to change our neural networks or our thought and behavior patterns. 

According to Daniel Siegel’s work, one of the four ways to strengthen neuroplasticity is all about doing things differently. The word he uses is ‘novelty.’ To change a pattern, we have to alter the way we do it. Makes sense, right? Yet, old habits die hard, and it truly can be challenging to do something differently and in a new way. It takes awareness, focus, and effort. Not to mention going against the mind and nervous system that is telling us to just stay safe and do things the way you’ve always done them. Kind of like swimming against a current.

MEET YOURSELF WHERE YOU ARE

My encouragement is to start small, just like in a seated forward fold. Start where you’re at, breathe, and make a small change. For example, if you’re trying to eat healthier, maybe start by adding one healthier food one week and not buying an unhealthy one. Cross the bag of potato chips off your list and add some fruit. When hungry, consciously eat some fruit and see what happens.

With my move to South Korea this summer, I’d like to learn some basic vocabulary in Korean before I get there. I don’t have hours to practice at the moment, so I need to start small. A few words each week is my commitment to get started. I know in the future I’ll have more time to learn and when I’m there I’ll be immersed in it. But, I want to start now, so I’m meeting myself where I’m at and starting slowly.

Over time, the small steps add up and lead to more lasting change.

START SMALL

When I work with someone who would like to start meditating, I know that they aren’t going to be able to sit down for 20-30 minutes and have their mind calm down and focus. Nope. Typically, this is when the mind starts to rev up its thinking.  Instead, I help them meet their mind where it’s at with a practice that helps to calm the active mind in creative ways, even starting with 5 minutes.  My students have been amazed at how starting where they are at instead of with the outcome, allows them to create a successful meditation practice.

KEY POINTS TO STRETCH YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Here are the key points to remember when stretching your comfort zone and start doing things differently:

• Start where you are at.
• Take small steps.
• Be present as you’re taking the small steps and reflect on the process.
• Enjoy the process!
• Pushing, most times, can be detrimental to where you’re wanting to go.
• Doing something different helps us to learn and grow.

And remember Einstein’s definition of ‘insanity’ – Continuing to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Where are you finding yourself in ‘insanity’ right now?

What pattern are you ready to change by stretching your comfort zone?

Namaste.