Here's Who I Am - Here's Where I Stand, Vulnerably By: Josette Cicacci

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience first-hand what is often said about weddings – That they can bring out the best of people and the worst of people. For me, my best friend’s wedding brought out the “I’m still coming into who I am and for what I firmly stand.”  This event shed light on the fact that I’m on a journey of learning to embrace this and truly own it - Regardless of how well it may or may not be received by the company in which I am surrounded. So, I allowed fear to paralyze me to some degree. I chose to “play it safe” and blend in with the pre-conceived image that I have in my mind of how a maid of honor should act.

Playing it safe almost always means opting for the easy way out. Our bodies seem drawn on an innate level towards choosing what feels comfortably familiar. Alas, it is only in facing the uncomfortable that one can grow.  Arguably the most challengingly uncomfortable part of it all is in consciously choosing to not beat one’s self up over what is now in the past and instead striving to embrace it as a learning opportunity.

What lies beneath all of this is that terrible little four letter word … F E A R!!! Fear seems to be rearing its head throughout many aspects of my life, as the days leading up to our November opening rapidly approach. Through all the fear, I am eternally grateful for my yoga practice. Additionally, I extend an abundant amount of gratitude for Denise - as she has been a wonderful source of grounding over these past several months. You will find that Denise and I have been trying to step into practice in one another’s classes as frequently as possible. I believe I can speak for us both in acknowledging that it is the practice, throughout these times of building stressors, which bring us back to what is most important RIGHT now.

Fear often presents itself on the mat. These times offers us a great opportunity to watch our response(s). I challenge you to notice, “Is it in the moments when I am entering into a new pose, or one with which I really struggle, that I hold my breath? That the mind chatter picks up? That perhaps I begin to judge myself? Or to look around at the others in the room to see what/how they are doing?” Our time spent on the mat becomes a very tangible opportunity to embrace a softening within ourselves in which we can mindfully carry out what matters most RIGHT now. Maybe that means dropping into child’s pose for respite today. Or, maybe it means kicking up your practice a bit to burn off some energy which is no longer serving you. Only YOU will truly know this. Again, I challenge you to watch your response(s). I give you fair warning: This may bring up vulnerability! Rest assured … It has been my experience that in allowing one’s self to breathe into these uncomfortably challenging spaces on the mat, we become better able to face those “real life” off-the-mat challenges head on.

So, here’s who I am – Josette Cicacci - Fully exposed!!! For those of you who have yet to meet me, and/or experience my work, I look forward to having the opportunity to do so soon. Perhaps you will consider joining Denise and I on the evening of Friday November 7th in which we will gather in celebration to open our doors to the public for the first time! Stay tuned for our newsletters in the days ahead, in which we will highlight upon many special November offerings and the additional classes which I will be adding to our existing schedule.

With vulnerability,
Josette