Beginner’s Mind
Over the weekend, our wonderful yoga studio (Yogalicious) closed its doors. So sad and I have a lot to say about that but this post is to reflect on the class I offered last night at my regular scheduled time…Mindful Monday (location, my backyard). What a gift that 9 students showed up! To my surprise, it was cold and windy (I was worried about May being hot and buggy). We’d neglected to mow the lawn which meant weedy patches and uneven grass. At the last minute my husband had to go on a work trip which meant hiring a sitter to watch the kids. I had specific instructions: “keep them out of the backyard!”. My theme for the week was “Beginner’s Mind” - an invitation to approach life (and the practice) with the openness and infinite possibilities that are out there. The entry point to beginner’s mind (according to the wonderful Tara Brach) its through our sense. At any moment, one can tune in to sounds, smells, tastes, feelings, and find themselves in the present and open to possibility.
As a teacher and student who has lost a sacred space, where do we turn? Beginner’s mind is necessary. Teaching outdoors was a challenge, it was windy and my voice is soft. The dog and the kids entered the backyard at some point during the practice. I felt a bit exposed and clunky without my curated playlist, the multitude of props, and a clean studio space. Additionally, I’m taking on some new teaching techniques which I feel a little novice at. All that to say, as a teacher, beginner’s mind is essential right now and critical mind needs to quiet down. I should go outside and listen to the birds!
As a student, I’ve made an effort over the last few days to take my personal practice outside, both in preparation for teaching outside and because my personal art/yoga studio space at the house is being used during a home construction project (another story for another time). I am enjoying the outdoor practice but it definitely lends itself to a different pacing, a different type of focus. I find myself both grounded and also more spacious. Lovely, but a different feeling than what I get when doing a bunch of vinyasas to ambient yoga music!
I’m excited to explore the outdoor spaces, as a teacher and as a practitioner. I have some plans for the fall (taking the summer off). My guess is that outdoor yoga is for some and studio yoga is for others. The people pleaser in me will have to be okay if some regular students disengage. I heard some great advice recently for yoga teachers. The teaching should feed your personal practice. I love that! So, that's where I want my beginner’s mind to go….open to the outdoors, open to a teaching practice that feeds my personal practice. Sounds like a fun adventure.
