Having a “beginner’s mind” is a tenet of mindfulness that refers to approaching life with openness and curiosity. It’s part of how Natalia Tabillo of Yoga For All Bodies hones her own yoga practice: By adjusting to the body’s needs and the way it wants to move, and finding the right poses. with her.
That philosophy is what she brings to her students now as a yoga teacher and is part of her advice for those who may be new to yoga or just starting over. it.
“When I realized that this is a training method in the sense that every day, your body, your mind, and even your sides, left and right, everything changes,” says Tabillo.
In this week’s episode of The Good + Good Audio filesTabillo shares the story of how she got into yoga, and why she didn’t immediately feel it for her because she lives in a larger body. But when she realized that she could change the poses in a way that worked for her, it opened up a whole new world of movement.
But related story
She’s not the only one approaching physical activity this way. The inclusive fitness space is working to make modifications a central part of physical activity, not an afterthought.
“I don’t walk and my body is really different from most people’s, but there are small differences in everyone’s body that I think we should all be inventorying and proud of,” says Alana Nichols, a Paralympic athlete who was paralyzed below the middle of her thigh, said before Good + Good. “It’s important to make amends [workouts] to celebrate those experiences. “
Tabillo actually prefers the word “variation” to “modification”, because she doesn’t think there has to be one main way.
“You are responsible for your practice in the sense that you can decide to make a change,” says Tabillo. “When you decide to honor your mind and body with a change, you are finding your strength.”
You can hear more of Tabillo’s story and tips for approaching yoga with a beginner’s mind in mind by listening to the full episode right now.
