The possibility of Beginning Again New year 2026

Nothing encourages us to start something new, try something different or promise ourselves ‘change’ like the New Year does.

The beginning of a new year can bring us the possibility of beginning again but can we acknowledge that all the baggage we carry from previous years and experience does not just magically vanish?

We are the product of all that we have lived through, given and received. Living a full life means that we have not only been happy, but we have also been sad. If we have experienced love it is highly likely we have experienced grief.   when we ‘begin again’ as the New Year promises we also know that there may be shiny new calendar but we may not feel so fresh!

Beginning again does not mean that we forget the past but that we do not allow it to define who we are. This is when we can begin the process of ‘letting go’ of the past and truly living in the new moment. When we are present every moment is a lesson in beginning again.

Being in the present moment allows us to be free from past constraints and beliefs. We all experience moments of feeling we are not good enough or cannot start something new because we are too old, not clever enough, too expert already, too busy or are afraid. Imagine what it would be like to be fearless; to live in the moment and begin again?

In her book ‘Awakening the Spine ‘ ( 1991) Vanda Scaravelli says yoga can help bring us back to that state of receptivity from which we can start to learn.  She talks about the necessity of an ‘empty mind’ or a beginners mind.

Yoga philosophy is steeped in this idea. Patanjali wrote about the importance of abhyasa (practice) and vairagyam (letting go) .(Yoga Sutras Book 1 V 12-15).  Our practice is to begin afresh. To be attentive to the present moment and to cultivate non attachment to habits and preconceived learning.

Whether we are practicing physical postures, breathing or mental focus we can practice with attention and kindness. We do not have to look or contort ourselves into a particular shape, strain our body till we are breathless or concentrate to the point of exhaustion. We only have to do what we can.

Noticing our breath is a wonderful way to anchor ourself in the present.  Being with the emotions we feel is to acknowledge our importance as well as bring worries into perspective.

If we are tired, there is a reason.  If we are stressed, there is a reason.  If we can acknowledge what we are feeing both physically, mentally and emotionally there is a possibility we can create a shift in perspective.  If we can bring this quality to our yoga practice we realise the answer is not to punish ourself and beat our body into submission but to listen to it and offer our self the space to rest and slow down.  When we stop moving with force we notice our body in a different way and when we close our eyes perception shifts. I was once taught that in order to change, we first have to stop doing what we ‘do’.

Yoga is not about what we ‘do’ but how we can ‘stop’.  Our habit may be to rush around, completing lists and doing what we think others expect.  If we are caring for others we do not have time to think of ourself, let alone slow down.  The tread mill can be relentless but does it have to be?

The New Year allows us to take stock of what we are caught up in and acknowledge where our time has been spent. The possibility of beginning again is always with us.  Each time a new day begins we can acknowledge this possibility.  Each time we practice yoga we are giving ourselves a bit of time to be with ourselves and to nourish both our body and mind.

I hope you can see how important you are and the role you play in the life you lead.  The treadmill may be relentless, but Yoga gives us the possibility of stepping off, if only for a moment.  You do not have to be an expert to slow down.  We only need to acknowledge our frailty and need for rest.

Satchidananda S (2003) The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Integral Yoga Publications

Scaravelli V (1991) Awakening the Spine   Harper Collins