Since joining Aerial Dance I have been in this continuous state of amazement based on how our bodies work differently from one side of our body to the other.  Well, let’s be real, I’m just in amazement of how our bodies work and their ability to do all the super cool and amazing things they do in general but for this blog specifically, it’s the difference of one side to the other. 

One arm is stronger, one hip flexor more flexy, one side less painful, one side more desensitized. The list goes on. While, I have come to believe, some of this is due to simple things, or things outside of our control.  Sometimes, simply the way we sleep or bend over has us feeling….well… “not as young as we once were.” There is much we have impact on every day. 

At the studio, your “opportunity side” or the side we would not classify as our “good side” or “strong side” is the side we sometimes neglect. It’s the side everything is a little harder on.  And it is the side we have the greatest opportunity to improve on.  The side we have the ability to amaze ourselves on. Hence why it is called our “opportunity side.” 

There are day’s our opportunity side is the side everything feels right.  And some day’s our opportunity side is the side, absolutely nothing works.  Even more interesting, is some moves work on our “opportunity side” even though we go into the move doubting it ever could be possible. 

While it can be a true “ugh” moment when the instructors remind us to work on our opportunity side.  It is truly a benefit to us.  Physically it can take us months to see progress happen for some moves, especially on our opportunity side.  The progress, at times, can be so slow we do not realize there is progress.  

This slowness is what brings on the “surprise” wins on our opportunity side.  The slow consistent progress, brought to us by the reminders from the instructors to do both sides, is what brings us the opportunity side wins. Showing up and doing all the moves on both sides, every week builds strength, ability, and confidence.   

The thing about our opportunity side “surprises” are, they should not really be a surprise.  Strength, ability, and confidence being built every class, being built every time we do conditioning, or work on a skill is the core reason we see the rewards of our physical (and sometimes mental) progress. 

Although you may not want to.   Remember your opportunity side is just as important, maybe more important. Give it some love.