The Power of Beginner’s Brain: What Tai Chi Is Teaching Me About Healthy Living
Not long ago, I tried something totally new: Tai Chi.
Every Sunday at 4:30, I head to the yoga studio—not for yoga, but for something slower. Tai Chi. No mat, no blocks, no expectations. Just breath, presence, and a little bit of wobble.
I wasn’t looking for a workout. I wasn’t chasing a goal. I just felt the pull to try something slow, grounding, and completely outside my usual wellness rhythm. What I didn’t expect was how much it would stir up, in the best way.
Within minutes of class starting, I was off balance, moving awkwardly, and unsure if I was “doing it right.” And honestly? It felt kind of amazing.
It reminded me of a passage I’d read in The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, where he talks about the value of beginner’s brain—the state of showing up with curiosity instead of control, wonder instead of pressure. Tai Chi gave me that. And it’s quietly changing the way I think about health, movement, and aging well.
This post is part reflection, part encouragement, and part permission slip—to stay curious about your own body and your path. You don’t have to be an expert to begin.
Beginner’s Brain Isn’t Just for 20-Somethings
Somewhere along the way, we start to believe that if we’re not already good at something, we shouldn’t bother trying.
But walking into that Tai Chi class with zero experience? It felt freeing.
There was no pressure to go fast, no one measuring progress. The instructor kept saying things like “just move with intention” and “stay with your breath.” It was gentle, grounded, and strangely vulnerable—in the best way.
As Rick Rubin writes:
“Beginner’s mind keeps us open. It’s not about knowing, but about exploring.”
That line echoed in my head as I stumbled through a slow-motion sequence with my arms moving one way and my hips another. It wasn’t graceful. But it was present. And presence is the practice.
Healthy Living Can Be Gentle and Exploratory
For most of my life, “being healthy” meant discipline. Intensity. Hustle.
But something is shifting for me now. I no longer want my wellness routine to feel like a checklist. I want it to feel like a conversation with my body.
Tai Chi invites exactly that—small, deliberate movements guided by breath and softness. One of my favorite things I learned in that first class? You’re encouraged to work with less effort. Not maxing out. Not pushing through. Just moving with attention and ease.
That mirrors so much of what I’ve been craving:
→ Morning walks instead of workouts that spike my cortisol
→ Gentle vitamins and supplements I’ll take
→ A daily meditation I look forward to, not “should” myself into
Wellness doesn’t have to be extreme to be effective. It just has to be kind, consistent, and tuned in.
Curiosity Is a Wellness Practice, Too
Trying something new at any age takes courage. But trying something new at this age? It takes self-trust.
It’s easy to assume we’re “too late” to pick up something unfamiliar. But I’m learning that staying curious might be one of the healthiest things we can do for our minds, our bodies, and our spirits.
Tai Chi has become a quiet reminder that growth doesn’t require big wins. It just asks for attention. And a willingness to feel a little awkward on your way to feeling more alive.
You don’t have to overhaul your life to feel well.
You just need a small step. A gentle nudge. A moment of curiosity.
Maybe that’s Tai Chi. Perhaps it’s yoga. Maybe it’s choosing rest. Or maybe it’s this:
Start Small: A 5-Minute Practice for Presence—my free guided meditation to help you reconnect to your body, your breath, and yourself. No pressure. No perfection.
👉 Grab it here. Start where you are. And stay curious.
Here’s to beginner’s brain, Carol
