True Beginner's Mind

Some people think I have become slightly obsessed with yoga but actually lots of things in my life have made me think about the 'beginners mindset' lately - I have started a new job, granted with the same company but it's all new people, new processes (yes, lots of them - welcome back to Germany), new environment, new office, new (old) language. It's hard to admit but I often face a situation where I realize, I know nothing. Naturally I keep fighting it by convincing myself that I know all these other things and while I'm not good at this and that, I am certainly good at other things. Yet, where I want to get to is to simply pause and acknowledge that I know nothing and that's good because it's giving me all these wonderful opportunities to learn. Starting from the ground up, zero percent has something very freeing about it - but of course at the same time it's damn scary and so, so very difficult to do.

I didn't manage to go to my regular Jivamukti class at 4.30 today, so I ended up attending the 6.30 one which was a complete beginner's class. It was giving people an really solid, technical introduction to yoga and I have to say, it was probably the best class I have taken in a long time. The teacher really made a point to connect the breath and the movement by introducing very simple movements at first and focusing on ujjay breath, the ocean breath - something that doesn't get emphasized enough in other classes. We built a lot of heat and awareness just breathing. She then also focused on proper alignment, for instance having us use a block between the legs whether during flowing bridges on our backs or during the sun salutations. Almost the entire class consisted of surya namaskar - and it was so freeing to be able to focus just on these basic movements versus already thinking about the more complicated flow or asanas to come. We also did a partner exercise, the half handstand  - and I finally realized that it was only my mind telling me I couldn't do a half handstand with the legs against the wall - together with my partner it worked out perfectly and I was so appreciative to have the opportunity to go back to this and learn and try and play with a different mindset. The shavasana I experienced after this powerful class was amazing and more grounding than anything I have tried in a long time.

I think we should take this time more often - just sit back, wait and start from square one, no assumptions, no second thoughts... Ok, am back to enjoying the learning process and reading my new kundalini book - ok, fine maybe slightly yoga-obsessed but I think the beginner's mindset certainly serves us for all sorts of things, beyond our own yoga journey...