Courage

If courage lives in the heart and thanks to the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz it makes sense that it does, then let’s “take heart” and bring it on and off the mat.

Courage and bravery go hand and hand and there are many definitions of each. I like to think of courage as bravery that took a deep breath, a pause, assessed the situation, acknowledged the feelings (usually fear here right?) and then chose to go forward. For me, courage is consciously choosing to proceed through the fear and the unknown. 

So how do I grow my courage muscle? 

Celebrate the small moments of courage everyday.

The times you are courageous and also the times you see other people stepping out of their comfort zone. Is there someone in your life you think of as courageous? What traits or characteristics do they embody that makes you think this? Bonus points and your chance to be courageous - reach out and tell them. 

Learn something new. 

Be the new kid in class. Be the person that goes to the new kid and says hello, welcome. Find the person at the party sitting alone or new and introduce yourself. Wisely choose to try a new yoga pose, and then celebrate your effort no matter how it turned out. 

Physically look courageous.

Head lifted, heart out and shining, shoulders relaxed and not trying to be earrings. Hands on hips if you really want to bring it.  

Pranayama

Breath work. Bringing awareness to the breath before a public speaking event or whatever it is that has your courage challenged will physically calm you and soothe the jitters. Relaxing the shoulders and finding a few rounds of deep smooth breath can bring your physical body calm. 

Get it over with already.

Dreading an awkward conversation? Have you transferred this task to your daily to do list every day for the last month? That icky feeling that comes with it is living rent free in your head. Take a pause, plan it out and do it. Your adrenal glands will thank you. 

Let it go.

There is an element of courage in letting go of things you cannot change or control. Also some peace here but that’s another blog. On the flip side of this - what you aren’t changing, you are choosing. If it is possible, worthy of your courage and deserves your commitment, DO IT. If not, it isn’t your burden to carry around.  

Advocacy

Courage is finding the voice to object or decline, to stick up for those not able to do so for themselves and to defend those that need support. 

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says “I’ll try again tomorrow.” — Mary Ann Radmacher

“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.” — Shannon L. Alde