What would you attempt if you knew you would not fail? Have you heard yourself say can't recently? Even if it was only in your head. . .
"I'll never be able to do Hanuman Asana." "I can't do Pinchamayurasana." "I can't do a forward bend."
Embrace the power of CAN. I recently caught myself saying, "I can't," when I was canyoneering with friends. I didn't realize it in the moment. My partner pointed it out to me afterwards. All I knew is I was gripped with fear.
When my partner told me I said, "I can't do it," after I already had and that he knew I could I gasped. I hadn't even realized that I said, "I can't." I decided that wasn't who I wanted to be. I want to have the attitude, "I can."
Think of something that you once thought you couldn't do that is now part of your life. This could be anything you want -- even the things you are afraid of.
Last fall I was irrationaly afraid of pinchamayurasana. Irrational for me because of my experience with alignment and my strength from years of practice. I was afraid my forearms/shoulders wouldn't hold me and I would fall flat on my face. All I could think was, "I can't do it." But I wanted to be able to do it. So I went home from class and put a pillow under my face. It took away the fear of falling on my face and I was able to kick up into pinchamayurasana.
It wasn't pretty, or comfortable, for a while but after 6 months (or more) of practicing it I am feeling increasingly comfortable in the pose. I think perhaps someday I will be able to do it unassisted in the middle of the room (if I keep practicing). ;)
