Water and Creativity

The focus of this morning's yoga class (courtesy of YogaGlo) was creativity. The instructor encouraged body movements that mimicked the flow and ease of water. Gliding through the poses, I could indeed feel an opening to that meditative, creative channel that gives birth to inspiration. 

After the practice, I began to think about how, despite not being much of a swimmer, I am drawn to water. I love to gaze at it, paddle on it, soak and float in it. Like many people, I get some of my best ideas in the shower. Water brings a sense of peace and stillness to my body, settling my busy monkey mind and connecting me to my truth and intuition. 

In the Primal Health Coach certification, I learned that water therapy (like floating) activates the parasympathetic nervous system. The heart rate is slowed, digestion improves, the body relaxes. Water activities help balance our sympathetic nervous system-"fight or flight"- and can encourage meditative states. In fact, the US Marine Corp uses surfing as a therapy for PTSD. In a recent Huffington Post article, marine biologist Wallace Nichols describes how water rests the brains, induces a meditative state, reduces stress, encourages imagination and reflection, and connects us to a sense of awe and wonder. 

My takeaway: even if you don't fancy yourself a swimmer or water sport enthusiast, you can enjoy the restorative, creative-inducing advantages of water. Take a bath, float in a pool, walk around a lake, sit on the beach and watch the waves. 

♥ How do you enjoy water? ♥