"In the Beginner’s Mind, there are Many Possibilities. In the Expert’s Mind, there are Few."
When it comes to being told something; some of us are habitually more defensive than others. You’ll know if you are that way inclined if you’ve ever witnessed an internal response that oozes resistance and retaliation, and sounds something like – “I KNOW!”, when in actual fact all that you know is a response; more than likely formed by a pattern of “self-confirmation and preservation”.
Did you know that the moment you utter “I KNOW” you deny yourself the capacity to know more, be more and experience more?
A true beginner (at anything) is a person that can humbly move towards a constant cycle of letting go of what you think ‘you know’ – formed by beliefs, values and principles – and open to the possibility of ‘what more can you know’.
We come from a culture, where making mistakes might have been viewed as weakness and stupidity and so shame, inferiority and internalising what we thought or perhaps wanted to attempt were squashed by the fear of failure to even try in the first place.
My own teaching has evolved over the years, a) as a response to the evolution of my personal practice and mind shifts and b) as a response to my students and the challenges that they inevitably face as a beginner.
Resistance comes up a lot, particularly setting out on your yoga endeavour and it’s this resistance that will oftentimes see your practice short-lived.
Adopting a beginner’s mindset can expand your practice and the experience of it by returning your awareness to the things that you innately know of yourself but might have forgotten along the way. Befriending a beginner’s mindset can increase your capacity to witness your endless possibilities, with deep curiosity and playfulness.
Tip One: Go Slow
When you are truly ready, Yoga can guide you towards slowing down by noticing your breath, re-connecting to movement or being introduced to and experiencing the effects of meditation. Yoga is referred to as a practice, because it is just that. When you allow yourself time to go slow with a clear intention towards truly noticing, you will begin to reap the rewards of your efforts by creating more and more opportunities where you are physically and mentally able to step off the merry-go-round of life and re-connect with yourself.
If you decide to combine your home practice with a studio session; a good teacher should provide opportunities for your contemplation; like a thoughtful theme, chances for focused breath practice, yoga poses that are sequenced mindfully and the opportunity to integrate that all into the wrapping up of class.
By taking time to set up an environment (whether at home or in class) it promotes your comfort, nurtures your confidence and sets a solid foundation that incrementally builds longevity and further curiosity in the practitioner.
In summing up here, being patient with results is paramount to your progress.
Tip Two: Practice Presence
The most complex of all yoga poses is Savasana (yogic rest). In part, because of the busy-ness of your ‘Life’ and ‘Mind’. It is becoming more and more difficult to switch off, to let go of all your roles and responsibilities, that you are so enmeshed in and just have the freedom to participate and explore each joyous moment – guilt-free.
Yoga is not about the final shape of the pose but the pathway to it! It might take a lot of planks and enough thought-full-ness in this shape before you are ready to move to something more complex (if that is your goal).
The point is can you put yourself where you need to be with complete presence and awareness in order to gain the benefit of your investment in yourself and your wellbeing?
Tip Three: Practice Non-judgement
When you arrive at your very first yoga class, invariably you will have some self-doubt in regards to your capabilities. You might already have scanned the room and without realising it – on a subconscious level – begun comparing yourself to others that are on a similar journey to your own.
If it is a positive change that you came looking for; and working towards personal goals then the judgment of yourself and others needs to be left at the door, where you dropped off your shoes.
Practicing non-judgement can be introduced through yoga as the potential to watch your thoughts from a more detached perspective. Rather than identifying with them – because you are not your thoughts – you have a much greater capacity to free yourself and those around you from the shackles of your mind by acknowledging and gently re-directing your energy, where it’s better served.
Tip Four: Be Curious
Remember what it was like to be a child who was curious about absolutely everything! How many ‘why’s’ were you intrigued to explore? How much did you learn from the natural tendency towards ‘play’?
Yoga should allow you that same flexibility to ask the questions, without your own fear of it being a silly question. It should incorporate elements of play where you can move, because you are guided by what you feel, notice or observe about your very physical nature. How much more enjoyable is an experience when you can combine that with an element of FUN?
So, if you’re looking to build a more committed relationship to your practice of yoga then clear the slate and start thinking less like an expert and practising more and more ‘first’s’ in your life.
Namaste.
