20 Aug How yoga helps creativity in particular- Creative Writing
Yoga has many benefits and one close to my heart is nurturing creativity.
Yoga benefiting creativity by
Heightening the senses so that our perception of the environment is clear. Yoga allows us to do this by practising Pratyahara which means withdrawal of the senses from external objects for this reason we close our eyes or seek to meditate in solitude. This process is almost like food fasting. This ?fasting? of stimuli for the senses means that when we return to our environment our perception is sharper, yet subtle and enlightened for creative work.
There is also Yoga heightens spiritual development by teaching the discipline of letting go and being present in the moment. Mano Pratyahara (withdrawal of the mind) for example disciplines us to realise that the mind is constantly jumping from one thought to another and if we engage in these thoughts inappropriately or try to oppress or control them they can bring mental disharmony and anxiety. Therefore through the practice of asana and meditation we learn to discipline the mind. The yogic philosophy of disengagement from materialism also means that we can be confident in being satisfied with what we have freeing us from the insecurity of keeping up with the Jones and actually having time to play and discover independently rather than follow the herd.
Yoga teaches us to be ourselves and engage with the environment stress free. This allows us to make deeper connection with the environment. For example, there is the yogic philosophy of openness and connection with everyone, everything, the world, nature and Divinity hence destroying tunnel vision and increasing space, insight and broader knowledge.
Yoga gives a licence for freedom to play, act and express therefore we are confident in playing, exploring and discovering. Yoga applies to all. It has been around for 5,000 years and has been around for so long because it is flexible in its approach. Engaging therefore in the practice of Yoga requires you to be flexible through different stages of your life. This sense of freedom to be who you are and freedom to play means that you are always making new discoveries through the act of free play.
Yoga provides us with the tools for self mastery, empowerment and self discipline. For example Yogic nidra, asanas, pranayama, and meditation etc teaches us to relax and become still to allow creative flow when, where and how we want it.
Practising Yogic asana also brings core stability and better blood circulation increasing the level of personal energy or PRANA (the vital life force). This increase in physical fitness increases our energy level allowing us to use the build up of passion to create.
Yoga teaches us to be focused on an activity it stops the activity of the monkey mind. We acquire the discipline of concentration encouraging us to complete creative work leaving us with a sense of contentment and happiness.
Writing is one method of expression of our creative work. Through our workshop I discovered that I love to write and also the act of expressing my emotions in words made me feel satisfied and content and combing with yoga made my writing flow easily.
Below is a poem written during our Yoga and Creative Writing workshop:
The Radiant Light ? what carries me forward by Sefali Dhani 19th June 2013
A radiant light glows within me
It carries me forward
I feel the highs and lows of my own judgement and experience
Yet I want to rise above and go
There is determination within me
What is it that carries me forward
It is this Radiant Glow
My energy which is perhaps me
I feel like the plant growing
The sun glowing
The birds singing
The stars twinkling
I appear to be everywhere
Is this radiant light of Mine or Is it out There
May be we are all but one
Just a bright flow of energy
A Radiant Light bright and accepting
To see my other blog on the benefits of creativity please click here
To see my blog on Prana see Susan Hodgetts website click here
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