Healing Your Back with Yoga and the Zen Concept of Beginner’s Mind

A couple of weeks ago I made the mistake of trying to move a heavy object that really had no business being moved. Only moments before I had moved the same object a couple of feet vertically from the floor and then replaced it in exactly the same spot with relative ease. Several times, in fact. Funny concept, this “gym” thing.

My personal trainer was doing his best to keep my technique in check but my body had other ideas. Something in my lower back went “ping” and all of a sudden even a simple Uttanasana (forward bend) became an abstract concept. I hobbled home, cursing this “design fault” in the human body and contemplating a pivot to a Frida Kahlo-style existence (bedridden but extremely prolific and respected artistically, if not in my lifetime, then certainly beyond it.)

I need not have been quite so dramatic. After a few days spent mostly horizontal and complaining to anyone within earshot, I was back on my feet and contemplating the hidden lessons that were being presented to me.

Something you’ll often hear in yoga classes, mine included, is the phrase “listen to your body”. I wish I’d taken my own advice during the penultimate set of deadlifts. My lower back was clearly stating the case for allowing gravity an early victory but I didn’t listen. Now of course, the message has been received, loud and clear. I’ve vowed to listen more carefully and I hope this is not a lesson I will have to repeat.

What I had labelled a design flaw was actually my body doing exactly what it was meant to do—sending a clear, protective signal. It wasn’t weakness; it was wisdom. With this in mind, I responded to every subsequent twinge with a quiet “thank you” and in many cases this was enough to relax whichever muscle was giving me grief.

After a couple of days of inventing new ways of putting on socks, things began to improve. As I tentatively stepped back onto the yoga mat, I was viscerally reminded of a concept in Zen Buddhism called Shosin - “Beginners Mind”. It’s not uncommon for new yogis to be somewhat apologetic about being a beginner but I genuinely believe it’s important to approach every class with a sense of openness and a lack of preconceptions. It really doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes or lose balance in Tree Pose. Every class is a learning experience and an opportunity to be present with where you’re at physically in that moment. As long as you’re turning up with an open mind, connecting with your breath and listening to your body, you’re doing it right.

And besides, a skilled yoga teacher will offer several variations where necessary and there’s always the option of “Childs Pose” (an option I frequently take!). I was lucky enough to catch Yee and Gabi’s beginner classes at Oca recently and with their expert guidance was able to explore my new limitations with a renewed sense of “Shosin”.

With a borrowed aerial yoga silk, I’ve also learnt the value of hanging upside down (and right side up) when it comes to healing a bad back. Taking weight off the spine seems to help - and if nothing else, it’s fun to hang around and ponder why our ancestors ever stopped doing so. Maybe it’s time to sign up for one of Bella’s ever-popular aerial yoga classes!

Love,

Seb