One of my teachers taught me a lesson last October that has shifted not only my yoga practice but also my approach to life in so many ways.  At the Thailand Yoga Festival in Bangkok, Rusty Wells (Urban Flow Yoga, San Francisco) sat in front of the room and asked, “How many of you are beginners?” Only a fraction of the group raised their hands.  ”We are all beginners, ” continued Rusty, as he assumed the demeanor of an eager beginner yoga student, eyes wide, exuding tremendous, curiosity, enthusiasm, and attentiveness.

In the routine of life, sometimes I forget how refreshing it can be to be a beginner again.  After snowboarding for the last five years, I was getting comfortable riding down the mountain in my regular stance, and it wasn’t until I had to teach a friend (who was goofy stance) how to snowboard that I decided to try switch stance.  Believe it or not, after the numerous falls, wipe-outs, and possible concussions, I actually really enjoyed re-learning the technique of finding my balance on the board in a totally new way.

Some of the joy in everyday experiences comes from maintaining a sense of curiosity and interest in exploring the depths of each moment, in looking beyond what has become normal and routine, in wiping the slate clean and beginning again.  I am so grateful to Rusty for teaching me to see through the lens of a beginner, and for enabling my inner child to come out and play, figure things out, try, fall, get back up, and do it all over again with fresh excitement, trust, and humility.

To be a beginner is to be fully open to the possibilities of potential and growth.  Isn’t that a fantastic place to be?