As a painter and visual artist, I find myself constantly developing ideas to strengthen that creative muscle. It’s about knowing where I’m currently at creatively in my abilities, and constantly finding new ways to evolve- which also happens to be parallel within the practice of yoga.
Creation of art involves so many different processes and facets of the brain- from an inner mental image, an internal or external impulse, and a control over materials and our bodies to produce an authentic, truly unique object and emotion. When I’m getting creative vibrations I get into a meditative headspace, where I feel an internal motivation to create- whether it be to release an energy that I’m carrying, to gain clarity, or to obtain a peace of mind from the completeness of a project. This carries over on an entirely different level in yoga. We still have to allow ourselves time to enter that meditative, clear state of mind- and that starts with an inner willingness. For instance, in an alignment-based yoga we go through similar motions that one typically would in any art practice- with an achieved grounding meditation, relaxation and a full-commitment to our inhale and exhale, as well as our presence. The same connection that I have to my hands while I paint, is the same connection that I achieve to my body and my brain within my own yoga practice.
Similarly within a variety of art forms, yoga requires a high degree of awareness and a conscious effort in order to retain that mindfulness for a duration of time. The cross-over between yoga and art lies within embodying our emotions; the resonance between inner feelings and our representation of them, allowing us to recognize and be aware of ourselves and our energies. Along with that goes relaxed absorption, attributed to meditation, where our thoughts and perceptions outside our typical day-to-day feelings become accessible and bring us insight. Like yoga, I leave a finished painting with a renewed sense of aliveness, an increase of gratitude and energy for the world around me. So not only are we able to get an achieved level of physical satisfaction through yoga, but also a satisfaction from creating and strengthening that character of awareness in the present moment.
We’re able to gain the same sense of inner gratitude from yoga that say a painter like myself, is able to achieve by bringing a piece of art to completion. The only difference within yoga is that the masterpiece is ourselves: our quality of character, our enlightened mindfulness, and our dedication to the strengthening of the body and the self.
Art by definition is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. This definition could not be more aligned with the practice and outcome of yoga. Creation of a new state of mind, of a new kind of inner strength, and of a maintained conscious effort towards physical and mental peace, are essentially the make up of this truly artful practice.
I leave you with an excerpt from B.K.S. Inyengar’s The Art of Yoga. Hopefully this can inspire and encourage you going forward in your own practice with a meaningful, appreciative and artful mindset.
“The difference between the art of yoga and other arts is that in yoga the practitioner lives in deep silence and turns inwards to behold and experience the inner hidden light and beauty wherein unalloyed truth and wisdom dwell. His work is his own art of life. Other artists follow the example of the inner light, beauty and wisdom of the yogis. They portray externally the radiant mien, exalted demeanour and deep serenity of the yogi as expressions of their art. Thus the yogi is an example to others as he conquers the body, the senses and the mind and integrates them with the soul. He lives in total freedom, develops insight (antar drsti) and acquires illuminating knowledge which he uses for creating new dimensions to his expressions. When this is accomplished, he moves from the known to the unknown, from the apparent to the real, until at last the body (ksetra) is welded with the knower of the body–the soul (ksetrajnan)–in divine union. This divine union comes only by practice and by the grace of the Radiant Light of God… So, through the faculty of insight, the creative power of the yogi-artist goes on springing from the inner well until he reaches the culmination of true and pure art.”
–B.K.S. Inyengar-The Art of Yoga