The Link Between Yoga and Creativity

So you may be wondering what on earth yoga and creativity have to do with one another, and how yoga can help you become more creative.  Well you might be surprised how much yoga can help you tap into your intuition, overcome your fears, and step out of your comfort zone to open yourself to creativity and new possibilities.

Debunking the #1 Yoga Myth

Often the first thing I hear when I tell people I am a yoga teacher is, “I’m not flexible, so I am not very good at yoga.”  This statement makes me cringe every time I hear it.  Yoga is so much more than being flexible and getting into challenging poses.  It is so much more than the PHYSICAL practice, and really begins with the MENTAL practice.

Yes – I said mental – meaning MINDFULNESS. This term can mean many things to many people, but according to lexico.com, mindfulness is “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.”  Yoga helps us activate mindfulness by drawing our awareness inwards and facing the inner shadows that hold us back in life.  

Yes, yoga includes physical postures and practice, but it also includes meditation and self-study. By combining all facets of yoga, you become more mindful, and tap into that creative part of yourself.  This is how yoga can help creativity.  The more you practice it, the more easily you can access it!  

How Yoga Taps into Creativity

As a creative being, how often are you afraid to tackle that new project, or take a chance on a new idea.  Are you afraid to move out of your comfort zone and take risks?  I live with this fear every day – and it can be crippling. It causes us to make choices that go against our own intuition to “play it safe.”  

Through yoga practice (mindfulness and physical practice) I find that I become less afraid to take that leap and follow my inner guide.  Simple acts of movement, meditation, and journaling are the most beneficial things I can do for myself each day. And I don’t need to spend hours of my time doing this either.  20 minutes a day in the morning can make a huge difference on my outlook for the day – feeling less stress, balanced, aware, and ready to take on the day.  

The feeling I receive from my yoga practice, whether I choose to do something creative that day or not, allows me to open up my mind to new possibilities.  There is scientific research on how meditation and breathing practices can improve your health – with the one undisputed outcome being that meditation increases focus. Just Google it and you can find multiple articles instantly on the many benefits of mindfulness and yoga (with science to back it up!).

Ways to Start Your Day for Creative Inspiration

Here are some tips to get you started!

• Start your day sitting in a quiet place.  Sit with a tall spine and close your eyes, or take a soft gaze onto the floor.  Now take a few long deep breaths and feel yourself become present in the moment.  If your mind starts to wander, draw your attention back to your breath.  

• You can set an intention for your day, or use this time to draw inward.  If you have difficulty focusing, and you would like some specific guidance, feel free to use a meditation app or online video.  I absolutely love Calm and Headspace for their guided meditations.

• Take 5 minutes to write down in a journal (or on a piece of paper) 3 things you are grateful for.  I do this every day and it helps lighten my spirit and feel good going into the day.  Set an intention or positive affirmation for yourself for the day – this may be something simple (like “I am at peace”), or a directive of how you would like to feel for the day (for example, “I release all fears and embrace my challenges with love”).  You can set a mantra for yourself as well, such as “I release self-doubt and trust in myself.”

• Take 10 minutes to do some stretches to start your day.  Sign-up for our newsletter and receive a PDF for some stretches to creatively start your day!

Of course you can choose to take as much time as you like in any of these steps!  And if you don’t have time in the morning, try out your practice in the evening after work or before you sit down to do whatever creative activity you plan to work on for the day.

It’s also a great way to take a break from your work and de-stress and stretch out the body.

After Your Yoga Practice

If you have the time, I highly suggest getting started on any creative activity immediately after your morning practice. 

Set-up exactly what you want to work on creatively before you start your asana and yoga practice, so you can jump into your creative activity with enthusiasm and focus right after.  

Even if you only spend 10 minutes, having your supplies out and ready create an invitation for your creativity whenever you walk by.  It can be very restorative to sit for just a few minutes at a time and do some type of creative work – even just drawing lines or sketching ideas in your sketchbook to come back to later.

Every week I teach an online yoga class that will help you tap into your creativity called Vinyasa Flow for Creative Souls.  For more details go to my Schedule page. 

Happy creating!