Getting Physical December 3, 2008
Posted by Becca in Uncategorized.trackback
One of the things I most hate about winter is the way it curbs my ability to be active. I’m not a terribly physical person – I don’t play sports, or belong to a gym. I do love walking my dogs and riding my bike, and the cold winds and icy pavements of winter have already put quite a damper on my ability to do either one.
Consequently, my body feels lumpish and stiff. There’s a restlessness in my legs about seven in the evening (the time we take our after dinner walks in the summer). My chest feels heavy, as if the oxygen circulating through my heart has thickened. And there’s a corresponding sluggishness in my mind as well. After a good walk, I’m always energized, my thoughts buzzing with subjects to write about. When I sit too much, even if I’m sitting at my keyboard, I can feel my creative brain going into sleep mode.
I suppose I could invest in a treadmill, or go off to the mall and walk laps. But for me, atmosphere is important…I like being outdoors, hearing the birds singing and the leaves crunching under my feet, feeling the wind in my hair.
I’ve just started reading Fruitflesh, by Gayle Brandeis, a really lovely inspirational book for women who write. Brandeis wants to “help other writers tap into the vast, luscious creativity that simmers inside all our bodies.” The inspirational essays in the book encourage the reader to focus attention on the body the soma, “the place where body and mind and spirit have no dimension.”
Our bodies are the repository for all our experiences, all our emotions, all our truest stories. We can capture our own wholeness, our own integrity on the page when we allow our fruitflesh to speak.”
The idea of body/mind connection isn’t new. Back in the late 1930’s when Dorothea Brande wrote her classic Becoming A Writer, she too advocated for regular “moving meditations,” as she called them. The morning walk to set the spirit and the imagination humming.
“Bodies are not nouns,” Brandeis writes. “They’re verbs.”
Yesterday I was reading Andi’s post in which she talked a bit about the dreams she has for the new life experience she’s about to embark upon. “One of the things that I’ve always wanted to do at my home,” she wrote, ”is have a place for artists and others to come and find respite and sustenance. Part of that dream involves having house concerts and courses – yoga, writing, music – for people who need a quiet place to experience these things.”
Isn’t that a wonderful idea? Incorporating the disciplines of mind and body - writing, music, yoga – to enrich the experience of all? I’m beginning to realize the importance of working in harmony with all aspects of the self, and keeping my physical body in a state of healthy mobility is an integral part of maintaining that essential balance.
So, how about you? Do you find that physical activity inspires your creativity? What’s works best for you – walking, running, dancing, kickboxing? How do you get in touch with your body, and use that awareness to inform your writing? How do you keep your body and mind in balance?
Great prompt for this time of year! Here’s my post: My Muse and Me
This really talks about me and how I treat myself well in order to stay mentally healthy! I will definitely write about this later (as usual) in the week.
As an aside…. winter weather is all about clothing. How cold does it get where you live? I don’t let the weather ever stop me. I have snow pants (yes, they make them for grownups – ski clothes!), boots from Land’s End that are warm with good treads, layers under the jacket, and a “gator” for my face when it is really cold. Keep your weight in front of your feet – don’t lean back when you are on ice. You can still go out Becca! Don’t deny yourself.
Loved this one, Becca. Great to connect back with my drama work with kids and the concept of mind and body.
Bonnie
http://blk1.edublogs.org/
Thanks for mentioning me, Becca. So nice of you.
Thanks, too, for another great prompt. http://www.andilit.com/?p=337
Good morning! Delightful to return to “schedule” especially in the midst of full-tilt schedules. I dashed off my prompt and look forward to, very late tonight, reading everyone and getting in touch!
And Q, glad for the tip on the boots from Lands End – I must get some and stop dithering about in my old leather shoes that are reserved for dog walking. It’s COLD here in St. Louis. signed, Oh
oh, for Pete’s sake, do I need to put this? I never remember, I’m at http:westcobich.wordpress.com signed, Oh, again
Yeah, I finally got thoughts down on keyboard again instead of just reading your post. Here is mine:
http://thethingswewrite.blogspot.com/2008/12/write-on-wednesday-getting-physical.html
Love love love this topic! I think this is my longest post to date.
http://kimhaasdesign.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/write-on-wednesday-5/
Here are my thoughts about walking:
http://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com/2008/12/walk-for-inspiration.html
Yes, the physical activity in winter is a little curbed. I look outside the window right now and the snows just acoming down, but being warm and cosy inside just stokes my creativity.
I’ll be back for this week’s coming posts, having just returned from vacation! (Those posts will share space, but tomorrow’s WOW will be a nice change!)
Just wanted to let you know that this month is my blogaversary and all comments this month are entered in a drawing for something I’ll make — it wouldn’t kill me to figure out what that is soon! So, stop by and throw your name in the hat now and then!
This prompt is a bit more inspiring just now – a strong front last night brought Houston/Galveston temps in the 30s, howling wind and reports of sleet and snow. I’ve been so involved with my Advent/Christmas posts I just flat missed this one. I’ll get back with the program this week!
Waiting for the new prompt, Becca!
Hi, Becca — are you going bonkers? I am. Late Thanksgiving, a week away, jumping into pub. deadlines and pledge upon returning…
I’m beginning to see why they start hyping Christmas so darned early — because if you don’t start early, you end up crazy and weirded out like me!
Missing Write on Wednesday but I totally understand. When are you returning??? MIss you!
Bonnie
I find that physical activity inspires my creativity. I mostly do Yoga, but I also walk to get my creativity going. Yoga is to get intuned with my body and walking helps to clear my head by talking out all of my problems. Yes, I talk to myself to get the answers I need. When my mind is clear, I can figure out what I want my writing to do and it comes out clearer, because of the Yoga and walking that helps me be balanced. I feel much better that I am treating my body and mind to something good.