Jason Middleborn

Internal defeat can be a mindset, where you begin to believe that most new ideas will fail. You may consider -"After all, what I tried in last week's Yoga class, failed."

You will always understand from mistakes. Whenever you see them clearly as a test, examine the results, and study them closely for the reason why they went wrong.

Whether it is a lesson plan, trying mantras, Hot Yoga, Gentle Yoga, a pro shop, or trying something new, it really is much better to make errors than do nothing at all.

Some of the most successful Yoga teachers, I know, deal with errors as part of the knowing curve. They turn all of their defeats into understanding experiences. This is extremely powerful whenever you consider the cost of learning anything of value.

After all, what did you spend on your education, so far? Did you believe you would stop knowing at a particular point in life? Did you learn from your past mistakes? Of course you did, and now you will be stronger due to the corrective adjustments, you've made.

When a child learns to ride a bicycle, there are plenty of falls along the way, and then the falling stops. Even so, even skilled adults fall off bicycles, sometimes.

So, don't take past failures personally. Put them behind you and discover from each one.

Henry Ford as well as the Wright Brothers had failures, but nobody seems to remember that. Just like them, you are not a failure, but you might have failed in the past, just like they did. After you get down on yourself, look back at what you've accomplished.

Once you take on your next project, do the research first, assemble a team, make a full commitment to succeed, and never mentally quit prior to you begin.

Lastly, whenever it truly is possible, understand from the errors of others. This is why Yoga businesses approach me for consulting services: To save cash by avoiding known mistakes, pitfalls, and traps.

As kids we are born exuberant. We do not mind letting everybody know when we're excited. We squeal, laugh and shout out our exuberance for all to hear. Unfortunately, we're told by adults to become quite and calm down. We're told that our behavior is embarrassing. When we grow up to be adults we're socialized to believe that exuberance ought to be contained and managed. Along the way we get the exuberance knocked out of us. Exuberance, nevertheless, isn't to become quashed, but celebrated and appreciated.

According to Webster's Dictionary the meaning of exuberance is, "Unrestrained in enthusiasm or style." To become exuberant is not to hold back, but to permit the joy and happiness to flow. I believe it is the unrestrained part that adults do not appreciate. We want everything to be controlled and contained. In essence we wish to hold ourselves back in favor of appearance.

Kids on the other hand don't care what others believe and possess the ability to experience pure joy without having any editing. When shopping in my favorite market a child that discovered a pepperoni display amused me. He excitedly shouted to his father, "Hey dad here is some pepperoni. We can make pizza." He was dancing all around so excited about his discovery. His father rushed over and instantly told him to calm down and said, "Not everybody in the store needs to know that you want to make pizza." The child indeed calmed down, and I couldn't help but feel a little sad. Here is a child excited about the easy pleasure of discovery, but was rapidly learning that wasn't appropriate.

The next time you find yourself or somebody else being exuberant, resist the urge to quash the exuberance. Let the joy and happiness flow naturally. There is no have to control it or manage it. Truly, give up caring what other individuals believe. Life without exuberance isn't as fun or as joyful. So, let yourself go and be exuberant. Who knows? You just may become a role model for others.