I spent thirty minutes yesterday morning practicing chair yoga. Ever since and during the continued pandemic, my yoga teacher has been virtual. I chose to attend her bi-weekly chair yoga with all its postures. For one thing, being visible from the waist up only is a pretty good way to exercise in confidence. No audience with access for watching the bottom half’s attempt to tighten the gluteus maximus and no observers, except possibly your dog, to watch you learn to move easily and in harmony. You might even sweat some, hoping your teacher notices, as you attempt to tune up decades of other muscles on vacation. I have to say, many a morning, I awaken and entertain the thought of ignoring 8:45 A.M. every Tuesday and Thursday. However, once I enter the Zoom world through the computer in my office, those thirty minutes disappear sooner than I can lift three-pound weights to my shoulders. Too soon, we’re finished and I’m pleased because I’ve just accomplished another day of improving my well-being.

Writing is yoga. Thirty minutes, an hour, two hours spent exercising in another manner. The mind, with its whirlwind whims and urges, slows down. Life quiets as fingers move to create. Stretching, reaching for words, becomes beneficial over time.  Breathing deeply, pausing, then exhaling what lies inside, releases one. This meditation practice involves using a chair once more to sit, to tune out noise, prevent interruptions, and listen to ourselves, what we have to say, what we know. Yoga uses props, as does the writer. A journal, a story, a poem, a pen and paper or a computer, aid the writer with the results being improvement not only in writing, but even in the mind, spirit, and body. It just requires time and good attendance.

If a writer continues to practice day after day, or at least as much as possible, he or she just might feel more motivated to pen more words, more pages, and more books.

Namaste