The Zen of Writing: What Yoga and Writing Have in Common

If you don’t already know, I’m a yoga geek. Back in 2004 I joined my local YMCA and found a Saturday 7:30AM class that became my regular thing. Now, 20 years later, I alternate days practicing yoga and Pilates as my exercises of choice. That and walking the dog nightly. So why am I telling you all this in a newsletter about writing? Because yoga and writing are more similar than you may think; they are both practices that require patience, persistence, and a healthy dose of herbal tea.

Regular Practice Makes Perfect(ish)

First of all, I hate the word perfect. I don’t believe there is any such thing. And if you want to write a novel, I think it best to remove it from your vocabulary too. While you may be able to master Crow Pose or a metaphor (I can’t do either well, but I still seek to conquer them), the key is showing up and trying. That’s why they are both practices.

Yoga isn’t about nailing a flawless pose your first try (or ever in my case), and writing isn’t about creating a pitch-ready manuscript on draft one. Both are about coming back, day after day, and putting in the work—even when the last thing you feel like doing is unrolling your yoga mat or firing up your laptop. Remember, the only bad yoga practice is the one you didn’t do, and the only bad page is the one you didn’t write. Also, both are great excuses for buying more yoga pants, my outfit of choice.

Flexibility is Key

Just like in yoga, where your ability to touch your toes (or not) doesn’t define your success, flexibility in writing is about adapting your mind. Sometimes, the plot doesn’t twist the way you want, characters refuse to bend to your whims, and endings don’t feel restorative. And that’s okay!

Writing, much like yoga, is about the journey, not just the destination. If your protagonist insists on going off-script, maybe they’re just doing their version of power yoga. Embrace the unexpected wobbles of your narrative as necessary learning steps along the way to writing enlightenment.

Breathing Through the Challenges

Breath is vital in yoga. Ever try to hold a plank for five minutes? Neither have I. But that’s not the point. In writing, taking a moment to breathe can help you work through writer’s block or plot holes. Stuck on a chapter? Take a deep breath. Character won’t cooperate? Exhale. Just realized you wrote “there” instead of “their”? Try ujjayi breathing. Plus, those things will be caught in the editing process – so don’t worry too much about it.

In both yoga and writing, sometimes the best thing you can do is step back, take a breath, and align your thoughts. Challenges like a five-minute plank or a sticky plot hole are going to happen. Think now about how you will handle them when they come. Take a break and a deep breath, and then resume the practice.

Endorphins Know Best

Can you get a runner’s high from writing? Absolutely. When you toil all day, your brain is programed to recognize stress (or pain) and will send feel-good chemicals known as endorphins to help you out. When you write, or do yoga, or other strenuous, stress producing activity, the brain is like a best friend, patting you on the back and saying “here, take a hit of this.” Make sure to acknowledge your brain for sticking with you through a tough day. Knowing endorphins are on the way may help you conquer the next mountain pose or climax of your debut novel.

So, there you have it—writing and yoga are more similar than they appear. They both require patience, perseverance, and a good sense of humor. Whenever you’re dealing with writer’s block or struggling with a yoga pose, just remember it’s all part of the practice. Keep stretching those creative muscles, and who knows? Maybe your next book will be as balanced and aligned as a skilled Tree Pose.

Namaste and happy writing!