The inspiration for this post came to me after subbing a yoga class last week. I must have a completely different teaching style than the original teacher – the feedback I received from the students made it loud and clear. Some students didn’t take to my style and left (it happens!) but several students approached me after class with curiousity, expressed they’ve been taking the same class for years and I was exactly what they needed. Nice compliment but this got me thinking that these students (even the ones who left) were in a “rut”.
A rut is a habit or patterned behavior that becomes dull, unproductive and really hard to break. Don’t get me wrong…”ruts” in fitness is not necessarily a bad thing. You’ve been doing the same exercise for years and you’re fine with that. These students found a teacher they love and stuck with her. I am sure they advanced their practice, learned a whole lot and was happy attending her class. I have been taking the same yoga class for years so I’m guilty of it myself. But there’s a lot to be said in trying something out of the norm and exploring anew…different teacher, new kind of workout or exercise, dancing or playing a sport.
Here are 4 reasons to get out of your rut and explore something new!
#1 A humbling experience
I was shy to try boxing because I never felt I had it in me or that I would look silly doing it. Well, I looked ridiculous and had no clue what I was doing. I was programmed to move the same way for so long that I had to re-train my body to do something totally different. Even something as simple as standing in a boxing stance was hard for me. Slipping was just asking for too much. My first few sessions with my boxing trainer was ego shattering but also a very humbling experience. It forced me to get out of my patterned ways and back into breaking movement down into simple steps. Learning this sport made me feel so uncoordinated but it also got me to connect with my body again. When learning a new exercise or movement, your neuromuscular junction is retraining, reprogramming, and creating new patterns. This enhances and promotes mind body connection keeping the nervous and muscular system in constant communication. A frustrating and eye opening experience but one that was so worth it!
#2 Get out of your comfort zone
I get it…no one likes to be uncomfortable! Stepping out of a comfort zone can be very challenging because it requires us to dig a little deeper and tap into a space that we don’t normally go. Your body adapts to the same exercises and workouts and will stop advancing at some point. You may be worried about not knowing anyone in a new class, not being able to keep up, unfamiliar with the techniques, or using different muscles, etc. Just remember that everyone started in that very same place. Once you get out of your own way, jump in without any doubts, you’ll immediately find comfort in everything that you do.
#3 Connect with new people
Community is a huge part of fitness. Every studio or gym has its own culture and with that brings a group of people that share common interests. Once you get out there to explore, you are surrounded by like minded people that are all there to work hard. This is a great environment and opportunity to meet new people. You never know who you’ll meet at your new dance or bootcamp class.
#4 For the better of your body
We all need to get shocked from time to time. If you’re repeating your workouts, bored, lack enthusiasm, unmotivated, then guess what…so are the muscles in your body. In order to continuously challenge the body and grow, you need to shock it every now and then. And the only way is to try something new. Without a doubt, you will move differently and use muscles that you never knew you had. I recently started taking Pilates and that class kicks my butt every week. I always pride myself on how strong my core is so I was shocked at how difficult it was for me. Well, I’m hooked now and am realizing that it’s helping me heal an old injury at the same time feel stronger when doing inversions. Who knew?
We often don’t know what we need until we are introduced to it. We all make judgements on what works for our body and what doesn’t. But how do we really know until we try it. If you even have the slightest curiosity on trying a new class, don’t think twice and just go! If you’re bored and need a change, that is all the reason to check out a new teacher or class. The biggest take away from getting of your “rut” is simply being able to say you tried. That’s all you can ask for! So with the new year approaching us, tis the perfect time to get out of your old exercise habits. Get out of your comfort zone, be humble, meet new people, do good for your body and most importantly…HAVE FUN!