The Connection of Yoga and Art: A Creative Journey

Yoga and art are two ancient practices that have been around for thousands of years. Both have the power to awaken our creativity, connect us to our inner selves, and bring about a sense of mindfulness and inner peace. In fact, the connection between yoga and art is so strong that many yoga studios offer art classes, and many art studios offer yoga classes. But what is it about these two practices that make them so interwoven?

Yoga as a Source of Inspiration

Yoga is a practice that involves physical movement, meditation, and breathwork, all of which can inspire creativity and artistic expression. The physical postures of yoga, or asanas, can be seen as a form of moving meditation, allowing the mind to quiet down and focus on the present moment. In this state of mindfulness, we are more open to creative inspiration and ideas.

Moreover, the practice of yoga can help us to connect with our inner selves and tap into our intuition, which is essential for artistic expression. Yoga can also help to release blocked energy in the body, which can enhance creativity and open up new avenues for artistic expression.

Art as a Form of Self-Expression

Art, on the other hand, is a form of self-expression that can be both therapeutic and transformative. Through art, we can express our thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a tangible way, and create something that is uniquely our own. The process of creating art can be a form of meditation in itself, as we lose ourselves in the creative process and enter a state of flow.

The practice of art can also help to cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness, which is a core tenet of yoga. By paying attention to the details of our artwork, we become more present and connected to the world around us.

The Intersection of Yoga and Art

The connection between yoga and art goes beyond inspiration and self-expression. In fact, the practices of yoga and art share many of the same principles, including balance, harmony, and intention. Both practices require patience, discipline, and a willingness to surrender to the creative process.

Incorporating yoga into your art practice, or art into your yoga practice, can bring a new level of mindfulness and intention to your creative journey. This can be as simple as practicing yoga before sitting down to create art, or incorporating art as a form of meditation during your yoga practice.

The connection between yoga and art is a powerful one, and it's no wonder that many artists and yogis have found inspiration and healing through these practices. By incorporating the principles of yoga into your art practice, or vice versa, you can tap into a deeper sense of mindfulness and creativity, and experience a transformative journey of self-expression and self-discovery.

Why use props for yoga?

If you have ever taken a class at my studio with me then you know I add blocks into my routine pretty regularly. It’s important to talk about the benefits of using blocks and props and how they can help us achieve our wellness goals. 

After a many years of working directly with a ROLFing instructor, Rolfing is a type of body work, who integrated blocks into our sessions I truly believed in the power and capabilities that these props helped students achieve. 

Later on in my yoga career, I believe during the hiring process at my Peekskill location, I was having a conversation with a teacher who told me her teacher called props ‘crutches’.  This really struck a me as limited thinking; but also, if someone had a sprained ankle they would need a crutch so, what was the shame in that? You need what you need. Your body will need different things on different days and that is totally normal and healthy. 

Because I am such a big believer in props I found it a nonaligned concept to put someone down for using them. But that leads me to todays topic which is, Why use blocks/props in your practice? 

If we're going to talk about props in westernized yoga we have to talk about BKS Iyengar. Iyengar brought a new idea of yoga to the US when he started to use props in his practice. Iyengar was sick as a child, born into poverty, his body was not healthy and when he joined the yoga school he realized that his body would need more support. Applying yoga postures with props, such as blocks, tables, bolsters helped Iyengar heal his body and achieve alignment without over extension or pain. 

He was able to help a young girl on her healing journey through yoga and the use of props to recover from polio of the spine. 

So what are we talking about when we use props? The reality is that yoga is for everyone, it can be made to be attainable for each person regardless of fitness level, condition, or mobility. Props help the body to achieve better alignment and reach our full expression of the posture. 

When we are in alignment, our body is adjusted in such a way that we feel open and able to move or stay in the posture. We find that we are able to concentrate on the feelings that arise in our body without sending our nervous system into stress or fight or flight. 

Have you ever been in a posture that just feels very uncomfortable, maybe the chest is not able to be fully open, maybe you are holding or grinding in the jaw? Though this is part of the journey in yoga, to work through the ego and find balance, we don’t want to spend a long time in this heightened over-stimulated place. 

Props can help us alleviate some of the pressure or ego to achieve and allow to find ease in the challenging posture. Props help to elevate the body, to that we are able to align more appropriately and thus help build on our practice. 

There is no shame in using props; many of us sleep with pillows to support our heads at night, help us breathe better and rest more comfortably. The same applies to using props in yoga. They are there to help us breathe better, move with stability, and give us comfort so we can feel better: meaning our body is able to move energy and blood where it’s most needed. 

When you take a class with me at Yoga by the Lake we use props in just about everything we do. I teach a restorative class where props are vital for allowing the body to sink in and relax deeply- this benefits the nervous system, much like the pillow reference. 

During hatha and yin inspired classes I encourage students to use props to help with alignment and ease of the posture. I watch many students approach props with the attitude of ‘I don’t need that.” or “I don’t want anyone to think I need that.” or even “I should be able to do this without props.” These thoughts come from the ego and are part of the process in yoga and in life. 

There is never any judgment when a student chooses to use props. I have been practicing yoga for years and will still use props for my lounges, downward dog, or even triangle pose to help move me into my full expression. I ride and work with horses, my hips are tight, my hamstrings can feel shortened, sometimes my core is weak from stabilizing during a ride. Does using props make me less of a practitioner or teacher? No, of course not. They are a simple aide, much like a saddle on a horse, for a lifetime of practice. You wouldn’t tell someone with tight hips to ride bareback for an hour, because it would hurt them, you would give them a suitable saddle with stirrups to support them so that they are comfortable, able to connect with the horse, and balanced. 

I can’t emphasize props enough when working in yoga, or really anywhere in life. There is no shame in using a block to help you align more fully. You can use two or three blocks if you need it. Every day we approach life, and yoga on the mat, is a different day. Our bodies will feel different, our minds will have different thoughts, and our energy will shift from one moment to the next. Today you might feel supported with a block in corkscrew pose, but tomorrow you might feel more open and a block wouldn’t help you feel more aligned. It really has nothing to do with your ability or capability. These things exist because they help us be our best self. 

Classes are held at Yoga by the Lake, you can check out the full schedule updated monthly on my website and of course my facebook page. Thank you for watching and have a warm and peaceful rest of your day!