The joy of adopting the zen habit of approaching life with a beginner's mind....

What is beginner’s mind? It’s dropping our expectations and preconceived ideas about something, and seeing things with an open mind, fresh eyes, just like a beginner. You can remember what that’s like ~ you’re perhaps confused because you don’t know how to do whatever you’re learning, but you’re also looking at everything as if it’s brand new, perhaps with curiosity and wonder. That’s beginner’s mind.

This practice of beginner’s mind transforms the activity. You can expect to enjoy better experiences, better relationships, less procrastination, less anxiety ~ and perhaps even learn a new way and break an old habit!

Imagine if you could apply this to every activity. Take this zen practice of eating your meal or doing the dishes for example:

• You start by seeing the activity with fresh eyes, as if you don’t know what to expect, as if you hadn’t done it thousands of times already.

• You really look at the food, the bowl, the spoon, and try to see the details that you might not normally notice.

• You truly notice the textures, tastes, smells, sights of the food, pay close attention as if you don’t already know how the food will taste or feel. Everything seems new, perhaps even full of wonder.

• You don’t take anything for granted, and appreciate every moment as a gift. It’s temporary, fleeting, and precious.

I cannot tell you how many times (and more often than not with incredible resistance or forced by injury!) I have stepped back into a beginner's mode with my Yoga practice. It has given me opportunity to learn more about my body, my injuries and how they wish to heal, even just to slow down and have less expectation has been so rewarding. In fact it is the reason my core is so strong because I return to the simple, fine tuning practices over and over again. In fact I owe it all to the first 2 months of my Teacher Training (2004) where we barely got up off the floor - it near drove me made, clearly I had no zen mindset back then, BUT I owe this time to the strong foundations I work with today. These subtle practices I share with you online, they are listed below.

I invite you to try these practices online and allow a beginner's mindset take you into your inner world of body and mind. 7 Days FREE Trial on Monthly Membership finishes 1st December! Enjoy your exploring as a Beginner Yogi!

Namaste, Nic Whiteman

See Beginners practices listed below

Suggested practices in your online library - use 'Search' bar;

• Core Setup 1 Core Breathing - remember how to use the diaphragm and breathe into core

• Core Setup 2 Neutral Spine - find out your postural habits you maybe taking into other poses

• Core Setup 3 Functional Pelvic Patterns - remember how to isolate movement of the pelvis using core, how the pelvis is to move as we walk

• Core Series I Breathing Core into Plank - find out if you are using your true core when you plank!

• Pelvic Floor Tune Up - are you really activating your pelvic floor?

• Tadasana Workshop - explore your posture and how to correct it, as this is what you will take into every pose and movement you make

• All 'Asana Focus' series will teach you the basics of making individual, foundation poses right for you including sitting, All 4's, laying down, Downward Dog etc

• Sun Salutations Easy Does It & Good Foundations - will set you up with plenty of cues for alignment and safe movement

• Meditation on the Breath - a simple introduction to using breath as your focus to go inwards

• Before you practice start with Mini Limber, Morning Limber of Yogi Prehab and see if you notice the difference after your joints have been prepared and limbered

• Chair Yoga I, II, III - not necessarily just for the seniors!

You can always use the drop down 'Levels' to choose Beginner, and also suitable is the 'Class Types' - Yin/Restorative/Gentle, Yoga Therapy/Rehab, Knees, Lower Back, Shoulders, SIJ plus any Signature Yogalates class accommodates for beginners also. If you have got an injury I recommend watching the 'Awareness' videos prior to practicing online. Yoga can be practiced every day from 5mins up to an hour, try to vary each day with one movement and strength practice, then the next day rest and release practice ~ balancing your Yin and Yang. The series online Feel the Burn and Foam Roller + Release are better practiced only 2-3 times per week. Enjoy your online exploring as a Beginner Yogi!

Namaste, Nic Whiteman