Panic: The Easement
Went to the swing class at Fuzebox tonight. I didn't have the courage to dance after class, but I'm OK with that. Last week, I didn't even have the courage to get on the dance floor for the class bit. So this is a step forward.
I was quite frustrated last week when I got too panicky to get on the dance floor. I like dancing, and East Coast swing is something I'm ready to get into. Then I remembered something from aikido. My aikido sensei likes to practice a technique where you inhale, hold your breath as long as you can comfortably hold it, hold it for just a little bit longer, then exhale. That's how I treated my panic tonight at the Fuzebox. I stayed for the class. Then I stayed afterwards until the panic started to rise. Then I hung out at the bar for a few moments. Then I headed home.
It's kind of weird. I feel like I'm asking my panicked self for small, incremental easements, until finally, instead of a limited use, I've taken over from my panicked self entirely. It works though. By staying on the dance floor just a little bit past the point of panic, I'm able to build up a more certain confidence.
(sighs) Need more dancing.
I was quite frustrated last week when I got too panicky to get on the dance floor. I like dancing, and East Coast swing is something I'm ready to get into. Then I remembered something from aikido. My aikido sensei likes to practice a technique where you inhale, hold your breath as long as you can comfortably hold it, hold it for just a little bit longer, then exhale. That's how I treated my panic tonight at the Fuzebox. I stayed for the class. Then I stayed afterwards until the panic started to rise. Then I hung out at the bar for a few moments. Then I headed home.
It's kind of weird. I feel like I'm asking my panicked self for small, incremental easements, until finally, instead of a limited use, I've taken over from my panicked self entirely. It works though. By staying on the dance floor just a little bit past the point of panic, I'm able to build up a more certain confidence.
(sighs) Need more dancing.