The 4 stages of learning

This weekend I was immersed in a pilates training with the Oov.  It's a super strange looking, yet an amazing piece of equipment to work with.  I was a bit nervous to learn a new piece of equipment, but I've been staring at my Oov for the last 2 years wanting to teach you some of the awesome things it can do.

In the training manual it spoke of the 4 stages of learning and it got me thinking about the many comments I get from people about starting a yoga or pilates practice. 

People often say: I can't do yoga because I'm not flexible! 
Pilates is too hard!
I don't know how to do yoga and pilates! 
I need to get stronger before I try it!

You get it, they often give up before they even try. Which brings me back to the 4 stages of learning and a reminder that in every new thing we learn we go through these stages.

1. Unconscious Incompetence: You don't know that you don't know how to do something
2. Conscious Incompetence: You know that you don't know how to do something and it bothers you.
3. Conscious Competence: You know that you know how to do something and it takes effort.
4. Unconscious Competence: You know how to do something and it is second nature; you rock at it.

Remember when we didn't know how to play 4 square and the sport we chose, our math tables, and reading, but when we became Unconsciously Competent we forgot the effort it took to get there (ok, still working on my times tables). What a great feeling it is to know what you are doing!  But remember there is a process to all learning.

Bring to mind something that you really want to learn - perhaps a language, or knitting, or pilates or yoga, golf, or pickle ball and remember that it won't be easy, but you will, with practice, eventually get to stage 4 and don't forget to have fun along the way!