I came up with the term Free Spirit in an Anxious Body about 9 years ago. When I said the phrase in my mind, a lightbulb went off over my head. I finally had a way to describe myself that felt right. It fits like a glove.
You probably know that you’re anxious, but have you explored the possibility that you’re also a free spirit? Practicing yoga can help unlock the free spirit under that anxiety if you let it.
FREE & ANXIOUS CHILD
When I look back at myself as a child, I see someone who loved to play and explore outside. I was a bit of a daredevil with the injuries to prove it. I’d ask to sign up for every type of lesson there was so I could learn new things. Other people were very interesting to me and I always wanted to make new friends. I was creative and curious.
I was also nervous, sometimes very quiet, and hyper-observant of my surroundings and the people in it. My stomach hurt a lot. I had a lot of headaches and bad dreams. My inner world was full of worries I didn’t speak about. I twirled my hair incessantly, popped my knuckles, and clicked my teeth. My family would make fun of me when I often complained about “not being able to yawn” because I couldn’t get a full breath. I took off running as fast as I could when I sensed I wasn’t safe. I hid.
FREE & ANXIOUS ADULT
As an adult, I see myself as someone who’s independent and doesn’t blindly do what I’m told. I consider myself open-minded and passionate. I’m curious and take some pretty big chances and am led by a strong intuition. I’m flexible and optimistic. People’s stories and feelings interest me and I love deep conversations and hate small talk.
I’m also anxious and an overthinker. I still love getting to know people, but I’m not as open to making new friends as I used to be. I still twirl my hair, pop my knuckles, click my teeth, have lots of headaches and my stomach hurts a lot. Thankfully, yoga and Pilates have helped me to breathe! I need to take fast walks and I still hide sometimes.
I see myself being brave and living a full life. But I also see myself not doing a lot of things I would like to do because of my anxiety.
YOGA FOR A FREE SPIRIT
If you think you are a free spirit in an anxious body, let yoga help! I can get anxious about the silliest things. I’ve noticed that after I teach or practice yoga, I get this rush that gives me the courage to get things done. After yoga class, I’ll find myself running that errand I was putting off, making that phone call I was avoiding, and wanting to reach out to someone to talk about what’s on my mind. I start imagining these new things I’m going to try. I feel open. There’s a shift inside of me. I’m a free spirit again.
The next time you finish a yoga class, observe yourself through this lens. You might feel like doing something you’ve felt resistant to earlier. Do you have new ideas or imaginings for yourself and your life? Is there some new chance you’d like to take? Taking chances and mixing things up on the yoga mat unequivocally transforms your spirit!
As we grow into more freedom and less anxiety, we’ll feel more authentic and shower the world with our unique gifts. See how you feel after taking this class that breaks the rules of Vinyasa Yoga and helps you explore something new.