Every week in my Pilates class I attempt a move called an open leg rocker. This contortion is as it sounds, a position where you sit up holding your legs in a V shape in front of you and rock backwards. That’s easy- the trick is to rock yourself back up using your powerhouse (abs).
It usually takes me a couple of times to get up. I start laughing every time I fail in my attempt. It’s fun and I just enjoy it. I laugh at my lack of perfection rather than beat myself up for my inability to conquer this move. In doing so, it’s playful rather than frustrating.
Many of us berate ourselves for not being perfect. We find only what is missing or what we are lacking. When we do this, joy disappears; negativity and frustration develop.
If I solely focused on my inability to perform this exercise, I would be less inclined to return to class. It would be a negative experience and I wouldn’t feel good about myself.
Perfection is the enemy of good. We lose sight of what is positive and what is working when we choose to only look for perfection.
How do you define perfection? How do you even know when it has been attained? Perfection can be a prison and trap our peace of mind, confidence and happiness.
By letting go of images that we cannot define and letting ourselves play with our imperfections, we live in a new perspective. Freedom, fun and fulfillment reside here. We can begin to embrace ourselves fully and bounce back under any situation, even if it is an open leg rocker!