- Nov 3, 2011
- 16
- 6
I am having an identity crisis
It's really just a major transformational period in my life
I'll try to keep this as short as possible: I cheered competitively in allstars and for my school for 7 years. I just completed my first year of college, where I did not cheer. To say that I felt that there was a hole in my life would be an understatement. I chose my university thinking I would cheer (and didn't apply to others where I couldn't), but after going to multiple open gyms, I was disillusioned from my idea of cheering in college and no longer wanted to be on the sidelines and feel frustrated every practice - It was a love-hate relationship, and I developed a self crippling "mental block" and let this dampen my cheerleading career for the past 4 years.
After realizing that cheerleading was more unhealthy than beneficial for me (which I was not able to fully see as I continued to cheer), I decided to switch paths. I've never felt more liberated and confused. I have set the goal to be a college cheerleader since I was around 6, and I thought cheer would forever be in my life. Now it's gone, and I'm not running back.
After a whole year of self reflection and introspection, I have learned that the fundamentals of cheer have always been in my heart, not necessarily the sport itself (which I still love and support). I love acrobatics, and I've always been enticed by circus performers - another dream I decided not to pursue. Additionally, I am transferring colleges in the fall (where I have heard there is a decent yoga community- App State if that helps anyone), because the school I was at really didn't have much to offer me besides cheer.
For the past few months, I've been learning and practicing yoga. This change has been incredible, and I am following a spiritual path that includes yoga. But, I am still feeling a bit lost or confused (and maybe it's because all that I ever knew and thought changed, and I desire to throw myself into something acrobatic related for the rest of my life). I've tried acro yoga only a few times, but I LOVE it. However, there are not many opportunities for this where I am. I also dearly miss stunting, which was my favorite part of cheer, so I am looking for an outlet that can be similar to this. I take classes at my college's rec center for yoga, but I desire more.
Has anyone transitioned from cheerleading to practicing yoga? Where are you at now? Do you have any advice you can offer me?
It's really just a major transformational period in my life
I'll try to keep this as short as possible: I cheered competitively in allstars and for my school for 7 years. I just completed my first year of college, where I did not cheer. To say that I felt that there was a hole in my life would be an understatement. I chose my university thinking I would cheer (and didn't apply to others where I couldn't), but after going to multiple open gyms, I was disillusioned from my idea of cheering in college and no longer wanted to be on the sidelines and feel frustrated every practice - It was a love-hate relationship, and I developed a self crippling "mental block" and let this dampen my cheerleading career for the past 4 years.
After realizing that cheerleading was more unhealthy than beneficial for me (which I was not able to fully see as I continued to cheer), I decided to switch paths. I've never felt more liberated and confused. I have set the goal to be a college cheerleader since I was around 6, and I thought cheer would forever be in my life. Now it's gone, and I'm not running back.
After a whole year of self reflection and introspection, I have learned that the fundamentals of cheer have always been in my heart, not necessarily the sport itself (which I still love and support). I love acrobatics, and I've always been enticed by circus performers - another dream I decided not to pursue. Additionally, I am transferring colleges in the fall (where I have heard there is a decent yoga community- App State if that helps anyone), because the school I was at really didn't have much to offer me besides cheer.
For the past few months, I've been learning and practicing yoga. This change has been incredible, and I am following a spiritual path that includes yoga. But, I am still feeling a bit lost or confused (and maybe it's because all that I ever knew and thought changed, and I desire to throw myself into something acrobatic related for the rest of my life). I've tried acro yoga only a few times, but I LOVE it. However, there are not many opportunities for this where I am. I also dearly miss stunting, which was my favorite part of cheer, so I am looking for an outlet that can be similar to this. I take classes at my college's rec center for yoga, but I desire more.
Has anyone transitioned from cheerleading to practicing yoga? Where are you at now? Do you have any advice you can offer me?