Do you feel stifled at times when planning your classes? Perhaps you’re feeling pressure to create new, inspiring classes each week but you have come to an impasse.
Whether you’ve just started teaching or are a seasoned yoga teacher, this conundrum is sure to occur from time to time. Read on for tips on bringing new life to your creative energy.
With the overload of stimulation entering our brains through social media, texts, email, television, printed media, podcasts, music, you name it – it’s no wonder we have little time to use our own imaginations. A moderate flow of information can bring inspiration, but too much leads to gridlock.
“Creativity is nothing but a mind set free.”
~ Torrie Asai
TEND TO YOUR OWN GARDEN
Just as we take time to prepare the soil before planting seeds in a garden bed, we can take steps to prepare our minds and bodies for fresh, new ideas and creative growth.
Practice Daily Meditation
First and foremost, I recommend meditation as an effective way to create space in our thoughts and give our minds a break. You may teach meditation as part of your yoga class, but how often do you practice it? Starting with just 5 minutes a day will bring you great benefits. Some forms of Pranayama, guided meditations, mantras, and affirmations can be equally as effective.
Try this simple meditation using your breath as an anchor to help settle your thoughts and clear your mind:
- Sit in a comfortable, relaxed, yet steady posture with your spine erect.
- Close your eyes or take a soft downward gaze.
- Become aware of your breath.
- Notice the movements of your body with each inhale and each exhale.
- Focus on the area of your body where you feel the most movement, such as the rising of your chest or belly.
- You may even softly say to yourself “rising; falling” with each breath.
- As thoughts enter your mind (as they will), acknowledge them without judgement. You are the observer. Allow them to slowly drift through your awareness.
- Gently direct your attention back to your breath, to that place of focus.
- Redirecting will become easier and keeping your focus on your breath will become more natural over time.
Read A Variety of Books
Like me, you may be tempted to read only yoga related material at this point in your yoga teaching journey, but you can get lots of inspiration for classes from other types of reading. For example, I gained a ton of theme inspiration from Thriving as an Empath: 365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People by Judith Orloff, a book I read while tending to my own self-care needs.
My first non-yoga related read that provided inspiration early in my yoga teaching career was Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie. I still frequently refer to this book for inspiration as evidenced by its earmarks, post-it notes, and tattered pages. You seriously can’t go wrong with either of these reads.
Get Good Rest
Goes without saying, right? But, do you know how much rest your body really needs? Do you wake-up feeling refreshed, or like you could sleep for a few more hours? It might be time to revamp your sleep schedule. Having a routine as you prepare for sleep is also helpful. Taking a shower before bed can help cleanse your thoughts as well as your body.
Turn off electronics, including TV. You may be tempted to check email or social one more time due to the dopamine in our brains, but exposure to blue light in the evening may “delay or disrupt sleep cycles” according to a 2022 article in Healthline.
Setting an intention to take 15-30 minutes before bed to wind down and prepare for sleep will help you prepare for a good night’s rest.
Incorporate a Yin type of practice into your Yoga Repertoire
A slow meditative style of yoga such as Yin or Restorative can help create space in your mind and body. These types of quiet practices slow your heart rate, blood pressure, and lower cortisol levels, bringing you to the rest and digest state and into the present moment.
Read this Alomoves post to learn about other benefits and the differences between Yin and Restorative yoga.
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
There are times you instinctively crave a change of scenery! During lockdown, for instance, I think we all yearned for a new vantage point. Even after a long, dark winter season, your body may tell you to get outdoors and take in a new view. This can be as simple as moving your yoga mat to an outdoor area or taking a hike on a local trail. (How about a yoga hike!?)
Or, maybe you crave something more extravagant, new, and exciting. Have you ever dreamed about a yoga retreat to a faraway place? This may be just the ticket to spark your creativity. You can find local retreats too. The possibilities are endless but here are just a few ideas listed in this recent Yoga Journal article.
“A creative person uses, not his hands, but his mind, to grab hold of what the universe has to offer.”
~ Michael Bassey Johnson
TRY A NEW CREATIVE ENDEAVOR
Do you consider yourself an artistic person? Do you long to draw, paint, knit, crochet, write, or create something else using your artistic abilities? Spending time feeding these traits will stimulate creativity in other areas of your life.
Once I retired from my full-time office life, I finally had time to explore other passions that I had put off for too long. Once I started, the flood gates opened and I was inspired to pursue other ways to express myself.
But why wait? Give yourself permission now to be creative and experience the rewards of nurturing your artistic self. You won’t regret it.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
~ Maya Angelou
GET ON YOUR MAT AND MOVE
One way I find my creative juices flowing more easily is just getting on my mat with no expectations. Just sit or lie down, start breathing and centering yourself and see where it leads. You may find your body leading you in a totally new direction.
Begin in a different starting posture than what you’re used to (see 9 Starting Postures for Your Next Yoga Class). Instead of repeating your usual warm-ups, try moving your body in a new way. Extend your arms outward on the inhale instead of upwards. Change it up. Add a few variations to your Sun Salutations, make it fun!
Finally, stimulate your Svadhisthana (sacral) Chakra to allow energy to flow freely in this area which is responsible for your creativity, fluidity, and sensuality. When in balance, Svadhisthana, sometimes referred to as “the Seat of the Self,” will give you the confidence needed to express yourself and playfully explore new shapes on your mat.
For more creative inspiration, read these Yoga Teacher Journey posts:
How to Beautify Your Yoga Class with Jewels
To Peak or Not to Peak? That is the Question!
Also, remember to check out my Themes and Sequences Workbook!
and much more on this website…
