One of my yoga teachers says that you improve “millimeter by millimeter” in yoga. That is true for almost any endeavor. Subtle, tiny details eventually create substantial changes.
Shoelaces
My current tiny fix in my life involves my shoelaces. I am not joking: if you have studied with me, you will know that I manage to spontaneously untie my shoelaces while dancing at least once an hour. This has been the case for years. I triple-tie my shoes and accepted that there was no way to remedy this annoying issue.
One of my students told me that, if I tied my shoes in a square knot instead of a granny knot (i.e., left over right, then right over left instead of left over right two times in a row) my shoes would stay tied. I felt skeptical but tried it out. He was right!
I could not BELIEVE how hard it was to change how I tie my shoes. I learned to tie them in kindergarten, and I know that because it was one of the skills on our skill board on the wall in school. That means I had performed the same kinesthetic task every day for over 50 years. The concentration required to make my fingers change the direction of that action was enormous the first three days. For the next week or so, I could do it, but I had to think hard. A month later, I no longer think about it.
Tango yoga and the like
As you polish your movements and make them work better for you, your brain WILL hurt from the concentration. Remind yourself that growing new motor connections takes time. Would you yell at a five-year-old who can’t tie their shoes? No! You would be patient and kind: treat yourself like that five-year-old. Be nice, be patient, encourage yourself. Millimeter by millimeter, you will gain that new skill. Millimeter by millimeter, you will improve the old skill. You can do it!