A beginner is a learner, also known as a fresher, greenhorn, inexperienced person, initiate, novice, recruit, starter, tiro, or trainee, according to the Oxford Dictionary.

Have you ever felt a sincere desire to acquire a new skill, embrace a different viewpoint, or at least venture to the edges of your comfort zone, and then tackle a more demanding challenge head-on? This is because you won't know what experiences you might be foregoing, nor what knowledge you could gain and retain, until you have actually tried.

Sometimes we might perceive our beginner-ness as an inadequacy, a blemish in our character or even something to be embarrassed or ashamed about. I suggest this because I am referring to the most obvious reference I have - my own knowledge and experience/s!

Sometimes, I sense that I am an eternal novice, a feeling that is not always comfortable and maybe you can relate? This might paradoxically be the reason I am driven to explore the universe and all its facets to the fullest extent of my capabilities.

In a yoga class, beginners or otherwise, a big percentage is instructional and hopefully a good percentage of that is educational too...

I frequently contemplate my teaching methods, which sometimes involve practicing with my own recordings. It's similar to those moments when I encourage you to engage in activities without judgment—I should probably heed my own advice more in this regard—and I utilize it as a learning tool.

This community has, whether through its silence or vocal presence, repeatedly provided me with the chance to see my own reflections in you. This is a humbling reminder of the beauty inherent in our collective and individual beginnings.

Teaching should not be solely about conveying information, but also about encouraging and inspiring you to forge a deeper connection with yourself and to learn the value of trusting that connection.

This is the essence of why we come together. This is yoga!

​​So, the next time you step on your mat, can I encourage you to:

1. Cultivate greater trust in the journey, even if you're uncertain where it will lead, whether guided by yourself or a mentor.

2. Foster curiosity about the various experiences that emerge, be it a fleeting thought or a tangible sensation.

3. Embrace the unplanned and unscripted moments as they pave the way for novel experiences.

4. Keep a notepad and pen handy to jot down anything that comes to mind, no matter how insignificant it may seem – it's your journey, and the choice to share is yours.

You might not find answers to the questions you bring to the mat, but you will have devoted time to instill a form of profound knowledge within your body. Best of all, you get to carry that essence with you for a moment, an hour, or the whole day. This experience transcends the practice of yoga itself.

​​Remember, investing in yourself, including your time, is worthwhile!

Namaste,

Anita