Identity

Aerial yoga remains the highlight of my Tuesday and something I look forward to on a weekly basis. I feel that it’s something that’s becoming more natural for me as I get used to the body movements that are required for the basic poses we do. The most challenging pose we did this week was the vampire, which then can be taken into the mosquito by putting one leg down. The most relaxing pose was the child’s pose, which is my favorite non-aerial yoga pose- so I’m not surprised that I enjoyed it in the silks, as well!

As many of you already know, I chose aerial yoga not only because of an interest and enjoyment of yoga but also because it reminded me a lot of gymnastics and I felt that the skill set was somewhat similar. Christiansen defined identity as “a composite definition of the self, which includes an interpersonal aspect (our roles and relationships), an aspect of possibility or potential (that is, who we might become), and a values aspect (that suggests importance and provides a stable basis for choices and decisions). With this definition in mind, one could say that aerial yoga was appealing to me because of a former role that I once had as a gymnast. I saw that I had potential in this occupation and I deemed it of value as it reminded me of something I once valued quite a lot.

Christiansen’s definition of identity reminded me the concept of “occupation and being” as discussed by Hasselkus in chapter two. Oddly enough, Christiansen (1999) is actually cited in this section with the quote that “occupation is the principle means through which people develop and express their identities.” To summarize the concept: occupation is a strong enabler for knowing one’s self and one way the self becomes known to “me” is through occupation, as that is the way the self is expressed in the world. I find this concept to be true as I identify with the occupations I enjoy.

As I continue my pursuit of aerial yoga, I begin to feel more confident in my abilities. At first I was kind of nervous as I felt I didn’t really know what I was doing, and therefore viewed myself as self-conscious in other’s perceptions of how well I was doing. But as I become more in touch with my abilities and realize that my strength and flexibility work toward my advantage, I feel much more confident and capable and no longer fear but rather enjoy showing off my skills! So I guess at first my “I” viewed “me” as vulnerable and fearful, but my view has shifted in a more positive direction as being more self-assured of my abilities.