Yoga and Starting Over

Just like the New Year is a symbolic opportunity for us to start over, every time we are on the mat, we have this same symbolic opportunity.   Each time we lie down on our mat to practice three part breathing, or stand at the front of our mat to begin a sun salutation, it is our job as yogis to be present to the moment and have a beginner's mind.  This means that we forget how easy it was to get up off the floor yesterday, what our backbend looked like before we gained those holiday pounds or what we felt like five years ago when we practiced every day.  This is also the gift we are given every time we finish Savasana (resting pose) and we roll onto our side and curl up into a fetal position before we sit up.  We start like we are brand new, watching all the compelling thoughts arise about the past without jumping in to investigate, without judgement and without expectation.  For some of us, its daunting to start fresh without judgement and without expectations.  It can be daunting   Some of us don't want to be beginner's, some of us want to be advanced super-duper experts.  What about everything I already know, what about all that practice and what's in it for me to be a beginner? Being a beginner means we are having new insights, we continue to learn  and even more importantly, we are open to experiencing fresh, raw, new moments. Being a beginner means we hear with new ears, we see with new eyes, we feel with a new heart.  As a beginner, we no longer feel like we live in the GroundHog Day movie.  It's risky isn't it?  To be vulnerable and start over and function as a beginner.  As my health coach often says to me, practicing and showing up takes courage (see her wise words at www.megworden.com).  In my mind, this applies to showing up for my practice and just showing up in general.  Maybe 2014 can be the year to start over again and again and again. Ami