66: Beginner's Mind: Community Conversations with Kylie Rook

What can we learn from being an adult beginner that informs more familiar activities, like our yoga practice? Today host Rachel explores that question with Auckland-based Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist, Functional Range Conditioning® Mobility Specialist, and Yoga Medicine Online guest teacher Kylie Rook.

Kylie shares her love of being a beginner off of the yoga mat, her tips for getting more comfortable in that uncomfortable space, and the lessons she has learned along the way – including how to more compassionately teach yoga beginners.

Listen in as we discuss the physical, mental and emotional benefits of being a beginner, and how we can learn to apply a beginner’s mind to more familiar activities in our lives.

“The more we challenge ourselves and try new things, the more our body adapts and grows.” – Kylie Rook

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS. AND BE SURE TO LEAVE US A RATING AND REVIEW!

“Overall compassion for myself has grown throughout this yoga journey.” – Kylie Rook

Show Notes:

Why are we, as adults, scared to be beginners? The stories we tell ourselves [3:24]
Benefits of being a beginner: forging new physical and neural pathways [8:23]
Novelty creates enforced mindfulness [11:01]
Patience, persistence and reframing failure [13:00]
Feeling empathy for beginners in yoga [15:45]
Tips for teaching yoga beginners [17:40]
Exposure to other movement styles informs yoga teaching and practice [20:10]
Being a beginner can increase self-compassion and exploration in familiar activities [24:35]
Tips to get more comfortable with being a beginner: start small & fun [29:53]
Recruit expert instruction [31:53]
Final advice for becoming a beginner: take a buddy [35:14]
Applying beginner mindset to familiar activities [36:11]
Last takeaways from Kylie [40:53]