Y is for Yoga

YOGA 

Among all the forms of exercise, yoga is one of the best for releasing creativity.

Why?

When you practice yoga, you not only restore balance within your own body, but you may also be tapping into shakti, a primordial cosmic energy. As the personification of divine female power, shakti is believed to be responsible for creation and change. In yoga, shakti is associated with the sun salutations (surya namastar) and focuses on flow, transitions, mantras, and mindfulness. Sun salutations include standing, forward/back bends, and upward/downward facing dog, all of which stretch your spine, where primal kundalini energy is believed to reside, dormant, until it is awakened. 

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.                                      

-Upanishads

But you needn't restrict yourself to sun salutations or kundalini if you are looking to expand your creative powers. Any type of yoga will do that. Focusing on breathing, relaxing, letting go, and allowing your mind to be free does wonders for your imagination.

There are so many yogic poses and practices. The thing is, what works for one person might not work for others, so if you've tried it and it didn't stick, try another class at a different studio or school, or a new DVD or streaming session (I like Gaiam). Some yoga classes are silent, others include the chanting of mantras but no music, some have loud, invigorating music (Corepower). Some are strict, some are relaxed, some are hot, and some mix it all up.

There are countless ways to awaken and fine tune the creative powers in your body, and to connect with the cosmic energy that surrounds us. If we are open to this energy, it can change our lives, and bring purpose to our every breath. 

So grab a mat and tap into the force. Your body will thank you!

"Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame."-B.K.S. Iyengar

Some yoga/creativity links:

yoga poses for creativity
more yoga for creativity
yoga for creativity
yoga unlocks creativity
yoga benefits creativity
yoga nidra for creativity
for skeptics

"Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self control. Energy within and energy without."
-Ymber Delecto

"Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked."
-Desikashar

"Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted -- in body, mind, and heart -- and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow -- or we begin to flow more in our lives."
-Cybele Tomlinson

"The word yoga comes from Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. It means union, integration, or wholeness. It is an approach to health that promotes the harmonious collaboration of the human being's three components: body, mind, and spirit."

-Stella Weller