In my experience, one is not so much inocculated against the fear, as one learns to distinguish good fear (say, jumping off a tall building into a shark-infested bay, or ramming one’s head into a pointed stick) from bad fear (the kind that holds you back from doing what you know you should be doing). I am still terrified of things I know are good for me, but I am getting better at telling the difference between them, knowing when to listen to the fear and when to go ahead anyway.

The voice lessons thing does sound very familiar. Have you read Mindset? When I was a kid I thought that having to practice anything meant that I wasn’t smart (clearly I was supposed to instantly be good at EVERYTHING I tried) and I wouldn’t risk being told I wasn’t smart so I wouldn’t take lessons or take any risks of that sort. It was only when I read Mindset that I put it together.

Could C be doing the same thing?

I’ve always been so impressed by your ability to do yoga on your own, without a class or a teacher — I know I could never motivate myself enough or push myself hard enough without a teacher. But I know you have enough trust in your own instincts to recognize when you do need motivation/evaluation from outside as well.

I didn’t know you read my blog, glad to see you here.

i was in kenpo for about a year and a half. i went from white belt to yellow….no problem. when it was time to go for the green, i quit.

why, you ask, did she quit when achieving the first belt was a non-issue?

plain and simple folks. NO CONTACT! for a yellow belt, you have to show technical ability. green belt, defensive and fighting ability against a BROWN belt. now, here i am, little old me with my yellow belt facing a brown. isn’t that one step away from black? yes ma’am. do i want my ass kicked? no sir!

i believe brains over brawn every time!