“Strong people are made by opposition like kites that go up against the wind.” – Frank Harris, Photo credit
Opposition gets a bad rap. Given a choice, most of us would choose peace and harmony over opposition. But choosing to embrace opposition – physically, professionally, personally, and spiritually – can really prepare us to fly like a kite.
Let’s give opposition a “break” from any negative associations, and consider instead how:
– Opposition is really support disguised as challenge (let that one sink in for a minute.)
– Challenge changes you! Makes you grow. Makes you stronger. Prepares you and builds you to handle what comes next in life.
– Opposition forces us to work. Opposition gives us something to “work against.” There’s no going-through-the-motions when opposition is at play. You’ve got to engage.
– Opposition “solidifies” our stance, form, sense of stability, our sense of self. Opposition makes us self-aware. Opposition forces us to stand STRONG in our own being.
– Adversity, conflict, challenge, resistance – all happen in life. We can’t always control the opposition that comes our way, but we can always control how we respond.
– The way you respond to opposition in your Dailey Method practice is most likely the way you respond to opposition when you encounter it in life. Practice in the studio embracing opposition as the friend that it is, and the choice to grow becomes a life practice.
One great place to feel and practice opposition in your Dailey Method class is during seat work. Notice during your TDM seat work how abdominal engagement (front body support) is needed for gluteal engagement (back body strength.) Opposing muscle groups working together to create stability and strength. Even though the energy is oppositional, abdominals and seat must work as a team in harmony – this opposition epitomizes the practice of “balanced-action” in the body. In seat work, we aim for small movements (or – when engaged in the deepest opposition – stillness!) to get to a bigger end result, or a tighter higher seat. Notice in seat work how opposition challenges you. Also notice how opposition feels GOOD when you let it. Because opposition makes you strong inside.
Rather than resist it or become frustrated by it, when opposition shows up in your life can you welcome it? Maybe even get excited about it? Smile because you know you’re about to strengthen your wings and be supported in growth? By consciously choosing to embrace opposition, may you find a path to the peace and passion you seek in life.
Not sure how opposition will lead you to harmony? PRACTICE. Embrace opposition this month. And feel how opposition is really all about… balance! (Balance is our next word of the month for October – so stay tuned and keep practicing!)
“Opposition is a natural part of life. Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition such as lifting weights, we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity.” – Stephen R. Covey
Yours in support,
— Jill and Lorna