This past week I was inspired to teach from the perspectives of creativity and playfulness, two elements which seem to co-exist beautifully. Both are inherent in who we are yet so many of us lose our connection to them. Some of us believe that creative people are simply born that way, that they have been given this gift of a source which inspires them on a regular basis. And how playful are we as adults? This thought of the week was inspired when a yoga student started laughing in class and asked the question, "Is it okay to laugh in yoga?", to which I giddily replied, "YES! Please laugh in yoga!" So many of us take yoga so seriously that we lose the connection to the simple joy that is had when we connect to our selves physically, emotionally and through our breath. As kids we gave stuff a try and perhaps because we hadn't quite yet created the filter of what might hurt and what didn't, but we goofed around regardless and laughed along the way.
Let's look at them individually. What are you trying to create in your life at the moment? More income, steadier work, peace, better relationships? Are you launching a new part of your career or stepping into a role of giving that is new to you? How do you tap into a way of thinking that colors outside the lines? What tools are you using to bring that creative force out in a strong way in your life?
Many people use the qualities of the throat energy center, number five of the seven chakras to access creativity. This part of us is expressed either through speaking, singing or writing. Do you have a history of shutting this energy center down as perhaps you were told "to be quiet" or felt that what you had to share wouldn't be worthy? Often when we want to launch a new idea from the back-burner of our consciousness and into the greater realm, chanting mantra or simply telling someone about it puts it out there in a way that is reflective of our vision. And if you're anything like me, putting it out there has an element of vulnerability attached to it. What if I fail? What if people think poorly of me? What if....what if?
I have focused much of my practice in opening up my creative voice and have used daily chanting as well as weekly writing as a way to strengthen my resolve as this energy center was censored for much of my life. Once I began to literally find my voice, my ability to express myself became incredibly strong...but it took practice. What are you wanting to put out there? Can you articulate it clearly? Do you know your message and can you speak if from your heart? Are you willing to risk feeling uncomfortable in the process? Are you willing to not risk it and stay precisely where you're at?
Other ways that we tap into our creativity is through play. Spend a morning playing pirates with a five-year old, build a make believe fort, invent a story and act it out and your creative juices will begin to flow. When we engage the energy of our inner child and simply allow the expression of ourselves through our bodies, hands, words and actions, the need to "do it right" begins to fade away. When we source that energy which is curious and non-judgmental, it's as though we access a dormant aspect of our true and fundamental selves...the never-ending desire to express joy and have fun.
I'm curious to hear the ways in which you play and how it feels in your body when you give yourself time to do so. I might just get out my sketch pad and start doodling...you just never know what might emerge! And as my mother used to say, "now, go outside and play!"
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