Find your creative flow with yoga
by Danielle Winston
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Illustrations by Laina Deene
Within each of us lies a natural imaginative voice. Some choose to follow its call more than others, but that doesn't make it any less present. The term flow state conjures up images of an internal wellspring bubbling with potential. In this fluid space, time takes on its own pace and magic becomes real. Some view it as the elusive muse — a struggle to find and hold. For many people, yoga can help do just that.
The ancient discipline forms a union between body and mind in a moving meditation, also referred to as flow. And science recognizes myriad connections between these two flows; a study of 92 MBA students published on ScienceDirect discovered that 20 minutes of yoga a day significantly improved divergent thinking — the way the mind processes thoughts when it generates free-flowing creative ideas.
Whether it's a painter mixing the perfect shade of midnight blue or a novelist confronting the daunting blank page, “yoga allows you to activate the observing mind to see possibility that was hidden from you when you try to control others,” according to master Kundalini instructor, Hari Kaur, who is also a co-founder of Hari NYC and co-author of A Woman’s Book of Yoga and A Woman’s Book of Meditation. As yoga awakens the creative mind, “It strengthens your nervous system to hold and pursue new perspectives and ideas that may have previously gone unseen or felt impossible,” adds Kaur.
Yogic breathing (pranayama) is so powerful that it can actually alter your thought patterns. Along with triggering the parasympathetic nervous system and fostering inner calm, it can cause increases in alpha brain waves, which research shows are linked to creativity.
Laina Deene
Try Hari Kaur's “Gong Breath Meditation”
“Creative flow is like being in a boat on the river, dancing with and honoring the flow of the river as you head toward your destination,” says Kaur. Merging your breath with the hypnotic sound of the gong is a profound way to “penetrate even the most stuck repetitive thoughts and shake them free to be released.”
How does it work? According to Kaur, “Your mind listens to your breath and registers every shift and change.” On another level, vibrations “created in the body can re-groove a new sound that can replace or neutralize thoughts and inner voices you desire to heal and let go of,” adds Kaur.
Led by instructor Adriene Mishler, this comprehensive yoga class melds breathwork, mudra, asana, and meditation for the purpose of tapping into creative energy — all while offering her personal philosophy on the subject as we go. For a free yoga video, explore Mishler's “Awaken the Artist Within” 40-minute practice. (Editor’s note: Adriene Mishler is on Medicinal Media’s board.)
Laina Deene
Similar to how breath links to the brain and certain body functions, the vagus nerve is a part of the autonomic nervous system that connects your brain with different organs. Research shows a link between vagus nerve stimulation and the creative flow state. According to Rev Connie Habash, psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and author of Awakening from Anxiety, “Yoga practice slows down the breath and heart rate,” which improves vagal tone, and hatha (asana) and pranayama stimulates the vagus nerve.
Whether you want to use this as a lovely early-morning class or stress-relieving evening wind-down activity, Dr. Arielle Schwartz’s gentle 20-minute flow class incorporates self-care with the breath, encouraging you to listen to your intuition.
When you’re feeling stiff, or unable to move forward, K.A. Emmons’ session helps loosen up the thoughts and warm up your muscles. Instead of feeling frustrated, she invites you to “use movement as medicine,” to free yourself from blocks.
Before practicing yoga, it’s important to make sure that it’s safe for you. Listen to your body. If you experience pain or discomfort, stop. If you have any medical concerns or questions about your ability to safely practice yoga, ask your doctor.
The flow experience is unique for each of us. I teach a creative flow yoga workshop, weaving asana and meditation with imagination exercises, and often notice it’s not lack of ideas that inhibits self-expression, but fears and judgments. Dedicating time to prioritize creative well-being sets an intention that distractions can wait. Turn to yoga for some centering and clear a path for exploration. As you embody fluidity, take a journey within — ask yourself questions that arise, and simply observe answers as they surface.
And when external inspiration doesn’t show up, stay open to becoming your own muse.