How to deal with intensity
07/15/2009 02:21 PM
I’m not one of those
guys that seeks intensity. My idea of a GREAT time is
chilling at the beach with some good friends and
catching some mellow, waist high waves. Nothing about
that seems too hairy to me.
But there’s a little danger here if I find myself avoiding intensity altogether.
The list goes on.
So, I don’t really seek out intensity, but I do appreciate it’s benefits. This morning I participated in a particularly intense yoga class. I hate yoga. I love the philosophy and the metaphor for life, but holding a painful position while my body wobbles and burns is NO fun. I secretly think that people who love yoga are absolutely bonkers :-)
How is yoga beneficial beyond just having a good workout? It trains me to be with intensity. It trains me to stay focused and calm while fire alarms are going off in my body and brain. It trains me for standing firm while life throws shitballs my way. (Strength training helps me here, too.)
Bottom line -- learning how to be with physical intensity will increase your ability to be with other types of intensity (emotional, sexual, conflict, etc.)
Get my drift? Try it for yourself. Find something you enjoy and play with the intensity. Go into that place that isn’t so fun and train yourself to stay open and available. Notice when you want to “check out” and distract yourself. Stay in the feeling.
How do you avoid intensity? What could you do to train yourself for handling intensity? Email me and let me know.
But there’s a little danger here if I find myself avoiding intensity altogether.
- Physical intensity -- the kind I may feel in an intense workout, hike or swim
- Emotional intensity -- allowing myself to actually FEEL pissed off or hurt or hell, even happy!
- Intensity from a woman -- she’s upset, yelling at me... you get the picture
- Sexual intensity -- allowing myself to fully feel my attraction, desire and physical sensations without having to ejaculate instantly, etc.
- Intensity of conflict -- when the going gets tough, it’s time to haul ass
The list goes on.
So, I don’t really seek out intensity, but I do appreciate it’s benefits. This morning I participated in a particularly intense yoga class. I hate yoga. I love the philosophy and the metaphor for life, but holding a painful position while my body wobbles and burns is NO fun. I secretly think that people who love yoga are absolutely bonkers :-)
How is yoga beneficial beyond just having a good workout? It trains me to be with intensity. It trains me to stay focused and calm while fire alarms are going off in my body and brain. It trains me for standing firm while life throws shitballs my way. (Strength training helps me here, too.)
Bottom line -- learning how to be with physical intensity will increase your ability to be with other types of intensity (emotional, sexual, conflict, etc.)
Get my drift? Try it for yourself. Find something you enjoy and play with the intensity. Go into that place that isn’t so fun and train yourself to stay open and available. Notice when you want to “check out” and distract yourself. Stay in the feeling.
How do you avoid intensity? What could you do to train yourself for handling intensity? Email me and let me know.