That was the instruction my Qigong master said as he welcomed new people to practice yesterday. I smiled as I remembered my first day in class. I had no prior experience with this sacred physical practice. Luckily, an experienced woman noticed that I was new and showed me how to enter the space. Once in, I stood back in the room imitating those in front, so I could learn the movements.

Almost immediately, I tensed, and was trying too hard. That’s my pattern. Then the flow shuts down. When the teacher gently corrected the group by stating, “this is not dance class,” I quickly took it to heart, disdaining my years of formal dance training. I caught myself. It’s hard to find that embryonic space–the beginner’s mind–when venturing out of the known. My conditioning takes over, negative self-talk murmurs in the background. I lose connection with the present–the full experience of being–creative expression from every dimension of my physical and non-physical person.

I had no idea what the words meant as the teacher talked us through various Qigong positions. They were foreign to me. Within that first class, I let it go. I chose to show up every week, with the correct intention, without imposing on myself requirements to learn the vernacular and every detail of the practice. I decided my purpose was to experience something totally new, so that I could better understand the experience of the beginner’s mind. A receptive, pure place.

Every time I go, it gets easier and feels great! I experience the wholeness of my being and a healthy centeredness within the group as we gain trust with each other. I enter the space with an open mind, extinguishing the need to strive; giving to the collective energy in the room as I, in turn, receive. Back at my desk, there is a clarity and calm not easily accessed through other means. I believe that part of doing something new brings a perspective. Today, every business team can benefit from a different, new, or expanded perspective to adapt to change.

If you haven’t done so in a while, venture out and try something completely new for 90 days and see if you return to your desk with a fresh perspective. And if not, just be happy!