The Feedback of Missing

One of the most interesting things I watch in classes isn't strength, coordination or fitness. It's people's relationship with missing.

At first, we hesitate before attempting something unfamiliar. We want to know we can do it first. We want the guarantee of success before we commit our weight, our effort or our pride!

And I understand: missing can feel uncomfortable, clumsy, frustrating or exposing. But obstacles are wonderful teachers because they don't really care about perfection.

• Miss the ring and you swing back.

• Step onto the bosu without moving with the swing and you step off.

• Balance a yoga block on its side and it topples over.

The obstacle simply offers feedback and another opportunity to try.

Then, somewhere along the way, something shifts. We stop apologising for missing. We laugh. We adjust a hand position. We take a breath and climb back up. We try again.

And again.

And suddenly we’re no longer practising an obstacle. We’re practising persistence, problem-solving and trust in our own ability to figure things out.

Those are my favourite moments.

Not when someone nails a challenge on the first attempt, but when I see them realise they can survive getting it wrong.

Because once someone understands that they don't have to be perfect to participate, they become willing to attempt things they would never have considered before.

And often, without even noticing, they become someone who isn't afraid to miss anymore.