With the beginning of a new year, of a new decade, it’s easier to see things with fresh eyes or to see this time as an opportunity to start again. 

What if we didn’t wait until the start of a new year to take that opportunity? The zen-buddhist concept of beginner’s mind is about approaching our yoga practice (asanas, pranayama or meditation) with a sense of wonder and curiosity, as if we were practicing for the first time. 

Developing habits is very useful in many situations – I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be driving as if for the first time, every time – and in others not so much. We come to each moment with our past experiences. The things we like, the things we dislike. We often go into a situation with expectations about how things will turn out, especially if we’ve had a strong  positive or negative experience. 

Beginner’s mind brings us back to the present moment. It’s a way to cultivate an open mind, a sense of eagerness to learn.

It asks “what am I really experiencing right now?”

You can practice beginner’s mind with any activity of your daily life, for example eating breakfast or drinking a cup of tea:

• See eating or drinking with fresh eyes – as if you were doing it for the first time
• Take the time to really taste or smell, experience the textures and sights
• Feel the movement of your body as you bring your cup to your mouth
• Appreciate every bite or sip

When we have done something many times it can be especially difficult to let go of our preconceptions and our expectations. Instead of thinking about what *should* happen, can you become curious about what is happening right now? Whether in your yoga practice or in your life, can you open your mind to your current experience?

Cultivating beginner’s mind can help us lighten the load of expectations we place on ourselves (and on others) to be perfect. It’s a way to lessen the anxiety that can creep up when we worry about what might happen.