I was googling images of “beginner yoga poses” and was dumbfounded by what came up in the search results.  Posture after posture, even posters full of “beginners poses” that contained very complex and difficult movements.  

My personal favorite was “easy seat” or sukhasana.  It appears simple, so I understand why it’s included.  It is a seated posture (presumably on the ground) with your legs crossed.  Kids do it all the time, right? Criss, cross, applesauce!  I’m sure many of you reading this are wondering why I even think this isn’t an easy pose. However, for A LOT of people this is not comfortable, and not sustainable without props.  

My husband for example has very tight hips.  Not only does sitting upright on the floor require a decent amount of core strength (to support the spine and prevent back pain), but you need pretty flexible hips to sit with your legs crossed AND allow the knees to lower and rest on the ground.  If your hips are tight you end up with heels on the ground, ankles crossed and knees in the air — unsupported — which causes the hip muscles to strain. Doesn’t sound like an “easy seat” to me.  And trust me when I say, it doesn’t sound like an easy seat to my husband either.  He might sit on the ground from time to time, but it is definitely NOT in that position.

Okay, by now you are wondering why I am going on and on about “beginner” poses that really aren’t easy?  How is this related to perspective?

Hear me out. I’ve been working a lot lately on some new ideas for potential students, beginners and also those who have been put off by yoga for some reason, those who think yoga isn’t for them.  And it’s been really eye opening to try and get into a beginner’s mindset. 

To find that perspective.  I tried to remember what it was like taking my first few yoga classes.  That nervous feeling.  The clumsiness of moving from posture to posture.  Looking around the room when advanced students were taking *ALL* the options and I didn’t even know what the teacher had just instructed and half of it was probably in sanskrit…..it’s nerve wracking and definitely not a “zen” yoga experience.  

And I can absolutely understand why some people take a few classes and never go back.  People have been told that yoga is great for stress relief and it’s a calming and soothing and relaxing experience.  But I have to say, when you try something new, especially as an adult, it is anything BUT calming, soothing, and relaxing.  In fact it is probably stress INDUCING for the first several classes.

I’ve also been having some great conversations with a friend of mine and his insights have been invauable. He brings up points and ideas that I have completely forgotten, or perhaps never even thought of becuase they weren’t/aren’t issues for me. I’m literally taking notes and re-reading some of the messages he’s sent just so I can really understand where he (and presumably many others) is at on his “yoga journey.”

I’ve also been experiementing a bit with some of my students in our classes this month. I’m not trying to induce stress during class for them, however I want them to find new perspectives in their practice. And to do that, you have to change things up. And we all know change is hard. One idea I had was to have them close their eyes during class. If that felt a little too scary, I offered the option for them to turn around on their mat so they couldn’t see me. I took away their “sight” and asked them to orient themselves on the mat differently. They couldn’t watch what I was doing. They had to really listen. Perhaps things felt awkward, and confusing. Maybe they were a little unsure of themselves and their own bodies in space. Kind of like a beginner….

It was a new experience for them, but it was also a really good lesson for me as a teacher.  I taught much more slowly.  We did far fewer poses than normal.  We held each one longer.  I was careful with my words.  I offered more encouragement verbally when people seemed hesitant in their movements AND when they were headed in the right direction.

I needed that lesson and that perspective because I always want to meet people where they are.  I want people to feel safe and welcome and seen in my classes.   And I want people to know that yoga is for them.  Wherever they are on their journey. And if I can somehow find a way to put myself in a beginner’s shoes, then maybe, just maybe, I can do all of that just a little bit better.