Writing & Yoga

This post was originally published on Bristol Yoga Studio's blog. Click here to check it out. 

Writing, like yoga, is a practice. It requires commitment and discipline. But most importantly, writing involves a willingness to sometimes be uncomfortable, in the prayer and hope that we can break free of what holds us back. When I’m stuck in my writing, I’ll often pause, breathe and stretch, twisting and turning myself until I feel a gentle, soft release. Conversely, if I’m feeling challenged in my yoga practice, I’ll write about the “stuckness” to help push out the gunk that has clogged my mind and body.

In my work as a writing coach and tutor, I use mindfulness techniques I’ve learned in yoga. In my workshops and one-on-one sessions, I share yoga poses and breathing techniques to help writers “let go” so they can discover their authentic voice. 

As writers, we have our practice of writing much like a student of yoga has his or her asana practice.  We try to practice daily by journaling, where we can create stories or vent our feelings. Our practice is our own, dictated by what we need in the moment, not by outside forces, but from within. Sometimes it is hard to figure out what we need, but I try to help students with this by helping them access the higher mind and focus on the inner-self. Writing can be the same kind of release as yoga, which allows us to let go of the ego. In doing this, we are better able to express and create, despite, or even alongside, any fear we may feel. 

The physical stress on the body from writing—sitting for long periods of time, forward hunched shoulders, sore hands and wrists—can also be countered by a regular yoga practice. Lately, my practice has consisted of a few stretches to open my upper back an chest, and release tension in my lower arms and wrists. A few minutes of stretching and a brief mindfulness meditation, and I’m ready to get to the hard work of writing.

YOU HAVE TO WRITE

*I read the picture book You Have To Write by Janet Wong to my students today, day 3 of writing camp (for high school students).  They had to use the title as a prompt and compose a piece using that as a starting point. Here is MY response...(please excuse any typos...this is unedited and raw.)

I have to write?!

The reason has changed over time.

I realize that I have to write

now

because I agreed

because I committed

because I signed a contract

because I have what might be called the chance of a life time,

the chance I have been waiting for

this opportunity

for my whole life

but but but why why why don’t I feel pumped and excited about that?

why can’t I sit down and write books with ease like I could before?

            before the MFA and before I signed the contract?

I have to write because

I might blow it

I might sabotage myself

I might f- it up

I might not want to

but I have to and I

have to for reasons that

are not the same as

before

Before

I have to write I say when I am 9 and have my writing studio in our half basement next to the cat box because there’s no other quiet place with full privacy.

I have to write I say when I am in 4^th grade and the teacher is making little awards that are supposed to boast our big achievements for the year and mine just says Ambition Is To Be An Author.

I have to write I say in fifth grade when our charge is write a children’s book and I decide to write a short story instead. The teacher accuses me of not writing it by my self. It was 10 pages and called It’s Okay To Cry.

I have to write I say in 6^th grade when the Mean Girl tried to ostracize me and my revenge is to write my first full novel. I call it Rivals.

I have to write I say when I am in 8^th grade. I’ve moved on to poetry inspired by a boyfriend who kissed me under a tree by the beach.

I have to write I say because when I start high school the changes in my life are so awful and the sadness is so huge the only thing I can do with it that is remotely positive is write and write and write.

I have to write I say when I am 15 and have a chance to study with some of the best at a creative arts camp. I write the first 80 pages of what will eventually be my first novel.

I have to write I say when I am 16 going to Harvard’s summer writing program with teachers like the editor of Boston Magazine and a well-known, award-winning fiction writer.

I have to write I say and I am in college minoring in writing and majoring in English.

I have to write I say and I am 24, getting married. I have to write because time is running out and I haven’t finished that book I started when I was 15.

I have to write I say and I am 28 and pregnant with my first child and I have to write because that finished book has been sitting in my computer now for 4 years and I’m going to publish it.

I have to write I say and I am 33 and committed to an MFA program and writing short story after short story for my thesis.

I have to write I say because I am 35 and starting a literary magazine and I have to write and write and write and edit and edit and edit…

Have. To. Write. Now.

GO!