do the thing (even with fear!)
all of yoga podcast · episode 56
Do you ever feel like part of you wants something… but another part wants to stay safe?
This guided meditation explores a different way of relating to fear. Rather than trying to eliminate fear or force confidence, we explore the possibility that fear may simply mean something matters.
Through grounding, body awareness and gentle reflection, this practice invites you to notice fear as sensation rather than story and remember that you can move forwards without feeling completely ready.
Totally perfect if you:
• feel anxious about making a change
• keep putting off something important
• want more confidence but never feel “ready”
• struggle with fear of getting things wrong
• feel stuck between comfort and growth
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transcript - do the thing (even with fear!)
Do the Thing with Fear Meditation
[00:00:00]
Speaker: Welcome to this meditation, Do the Thing Even With Fear, which is dedicated to my really amazing group of yoga teach trainees who graduate as this meditation is getting released. Well done to all of you. I'm so proud. Okay, so back to the meditation. Maybe there is something in your life right now, like a conversation, an application, a decision, the beginning of something, something that you really care about, and you feel conflicted.
Part of you really wants to move forward, but a different part of you just wants to stay in the safety zone.
We often assume that those feelings [00:01:00] of fear are a sign to say, "Don't do the thing." But from experience, I know that fear often appears because something really matters to you. Let's explore this together. Starting by finding a comfortable position. You can be laid down, sat on the floor or in a chair. You could be stood up or maybe even moving around.
As long as you are safe and comfortable, that is perfect
And dropping your awareness into the touch points between you and the earth beneath you Connecting with the Earth in this moment. Grounding down [00:02:00] and feeling how the Earth is holding you. And then rise your awareness up to your breath
Perhaps connecting with whereabouts you're breathing into. Does it feel like the breath is traveling into the top of the chest or down into the lowest parts of the lungs or somewhere else?
And which is longer? Which is most dynamic today, the inhale or the exhale?
There's no need to change the breath or [00:03:00] breathe in any particular way, just noticing
And then widening your awareness out into your whole body and being with your whole body for a moment, holding your whole body in your awareness and then letting it go
And perhaps bringing to mind that thing, that thing that you want to do but that brings fear And what does that feel like? Not going into the story, but going into the body[00:04:00]
For you, does fear feel like a fluttering, a tightness A buzzeng Heat, holding
And allow yourself to be with that sensation as it is
Allowing that sensation to be and asking yourself, "Hmm, what if this feeling isn't danger?" what if this feeling is uncertainty? Or what if this feeling is telling me that I really care about this [00:05:00] thing
What if this fear is actually very kind but slightly misplaced protection?
It is possible to feel fear but move forwards gently.
It is possible to feel uncertainty and work towards the thing.
So how about saying to yourself, "There is fear here, and it [00:06:00] feels like this, but there's also a curiosity, a wisdom, an excitement, a not knowing what's going to happen?" And holding all of that together in your experience.
The part of you that leads with fear is coming from a place of safety And of course, when we experience fear, exploring that is really important because a total lack of [00:07:00] fear would be a total lack of safety, and that is no good either.
So being as you are Holding in mind that thing that brings fear
Noticing the sensations that arise in the body
and reminding yourself that even with those sensations and feelings of fear, we can move forwards gently
Well done. Oh my goodness, it's just such a huge topic. [00:08:00] Remember, even tiny, tiny steps in the direction that you want to travel, they really count
Maybe taking a little bit of movement, blinking your eyes open if they were closed. And why not roll your shoulders down your back? Lift your chin and your gaze slightly if that feels okay. Adopt a confident posture. Breathe a little deeper down into your lungs if possible And know that you can move forwards gently towards the thing.
There is fear. There's so much else to you besides. I really wish you [00:09:00] the very, very best of luck in achieving the thing, and come back to this meditation whenever fear starts to win out over something that you are really wanting to do. Have a really fabulous rest of your day.