How Can I Be More Creative in my Yoga Teaching?

At the end of 2019, when I was living in Goa, I remember a conversation with my friend Matilda about finding beautiful spaces to be in. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with my long and busy workdays and although I was grateful and happy to be living and teaching my passion, the packed daily schedules were leaving me feeling drained.

Matilda told me that sometimes she sets the intention to find the most beautiful space she can to complete whatever activity it is that she has on her task list, whether that be some laptop work, designing, or just reading a book.

This was a completely new idea for me as I had never considered this approach. Up until then, when moving around during the days, my focus was purely about going from A to B with this purpose or that practical reason in mind which was perhaps contributing to my feelings of drained energy and overwhelm.

Instead, what Matilda was suggesting was to find an environment that makes you feel good first and foremost, and let that influence what it is that you are doing. I want to add onto that little gem from a little Australian queen to offer you the same approach to your creativity.

Learn to create the right environment in which your creativity can arise authentically.

We have all experienced those moments of creative blocks; when you set aside some time to write your new Yoga flow, design your upcoming project, or paint the commission and as soon as you sit down you realise it could be hours staring at that blank notebook, word document, or canvas before anything of value will arrive.

Trying to create when you don't feel inspired or connected to yourself is never going to produce anything meaningful.

Equally, I am not suggesting that Creativity can only be accessed in a sporadic artistic vision that floats in as you lay casually on a chez-long, smoking extra-slim vogue cigarettes and looking out at sun soaked horizon.

There is a middle way! Instead of approaching Creativity only in a linear way, operating primarily from your left brain, or, only in an abstract way, operating primarily from your right brain, find a way to connect the dots and use both facets of your incredibly sophisticated operating system, aka your brain, to produce creations that inspire and create a positive impact in the lives of others.

When creativity is a part of your job or your business, there are deadlines. In fact, when creativity is part of your life (which it is for all of us, whether you identify with it yet or not), there are things that need to be done in a certain way or by a specific time; that's just life.

Take some time to figure out what turns you on creatively so that you can start to engineer your environment to serve you and your creations.  

For me, music, mood lighting and merging with nature are my creative turn-ons. When it's time to write a new Vinyasa Flow class or create a workshop plan, I get myself in the creative space by listening to or creating a great playlist, going for a walk and sitting with trees, and/ or making sure my fairy lights are switched on and twinkling.

Creativity is a vessel through which you can connect to yourself and to Spirit in a deeper and more intimate way. In order to be able to turn your self on, you have to understand what you like and what works.

I invite you to take some time to consider what elements comprise your creative container so that you can feel empowered to bring yourself to a state of connection more of the time.

Connecting to your Creative Turn-ons - Tips & Tricks ✨
 

♡ Three journal prompts to help you discover & connect to your creative self...

Try this in a free-writing style. Set the timer for 3-5 minutes and write continuously on each topic until it goes off.

✨ The recipe for creativity is...

✨ I am most creative when...

✨ In my body, creativity lives...

♡ Create for the sake of it!

It is important to remain playful and open when it comes to creativity, especially if it is included in what you do for a living. Find ways to be creative for no other reason than to be creative...and have fun!

✨ Create a playlist full of your favourite tunes to listen to in the shower

✨ Paint a picture for no reason other than to paint a picture

✨ Try a new recipe for your dinner this week.

♡ Find creativity in the every day.
Creativity isn't just reserved for art galleries and theatres, it is most powerful when practiced every day with an attitude of joy presence.

✨ Make up a dance routine while you're getting ready for work.
✨Present your morning porridge bowl as though you were a contestant on master chef (especially if it's only you eating).
✨ Create yourself a healthy bed time routine that may include stretching, reading, and listing all of the things yoiu are grateful for.

So much love, genuinely