Yoga for the Mind Part 1: Exercising Your Creativity
By: Anna Hallett, Director, The Writing Party
Last summer I joined a Yoga on the Beach group. I was inspired by the joy of being part of the early morning beach world. Warrior pose is even more stimulating when engulfed by cool sea breezes, seagull calls, and the sound of rhythmic waves slapping against the swaying boats moored at buoys. I bent, stretched, and reached, awaking my body to the universe and re-energizing tired muscles. I stepped out of the comfort of the studio and felt an even deeper renewal.
Story prompts are dry tinder for a blazing fire of themes. A Yoga for the Mind prompt is more like baking. It is less about writing a story and more about warming-up your imagination. Keep your muscles warm and toned and you will run faster and lift more. Keep your mind flexed and you will write better and be more open to new ideas. Step away from the comfort of the writing prompt and embrace a new prompt structure.
Yoga for the Mind Exercises
Below is a selection of exercises to help you practice your writing and expand your creative muscle. While something you begin here might inspire you to write a full story, that is not necessary. Give these a try and bask in the glow of your imagination.
- Draw a road map of an imaginary town. Identify the location of important landmarks and local citizens.
- Write a glowing review of a book you hope to write someday.
- Write about the events of a character’s day based upon a horoscope prediction from your local newspaper.
- Listen to five sad songs and then write a sad story.
- Imagine an arch-enemy for yourself. Describe him/her. What does this person look like? How do his values differ from yours? What actions does she take against you?
- Write a dialogue in which you talk to yourself.
- Write a physical fight scene between two people.
- For ten minutes, imagine yourself somewhere else, real or imagined. See what is next to you and in the distance. Imagine the smells. What colors do you see? What sounds do you hear? Are you feeling hot, cold, or comfortable? Imagine how the environment makes you feel emotionally. Do things look familiar, foreign, fantastic, or alien? Is there anyone with you?
- Describe a smell or taste as though it were a person.
- The following words have no direct English equivalent. Use one or more in a short story.
- Backpfeifengesicht (German) – A face badly in need of a fist.
- Gigil (Filipino) – the urge to pinch or squeeze something irresistibly cute.
- Hygge (Danish) – a quality of coziness and comfort that makes a person feel contentment.
- Iktsuarpok (Inuit) – that feeling of anticipation when you are waiting for someone to arrive and keep checking to see if he or she is there yet.
- Razbliuto (Russian) – The sentimental feeling you have for someone you once loved, but don’t anymore.
- Ya’arburnee (Arabic) – A declaration of one’s hope that you will die before someone you love. Literally, may you bury me.
In the comments, share your idea for a Yoga for the Mind writing exercise.
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