Relax! Overcome Writer’s Block With Three Deep Breathing Yoga Exercises

If you are a writer, chances are you have suffered from writer’s block. You sit at your desk, stare at your computer or blank sheet of paper, and wonder, what will I write? Yet no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to find the words.

You feel blocked. You know you have something to say, an important message to share with your audience yet, finding the ‘right words’ or knowing what to write, eludes you.

In the background you hear the clock ticking, and each tick seems to get louder and louder, each tock seems to be getting faster and faster, almost as if time, is mocking you and reminding you that time is precious and if you don’t get a move on, write that first sentence, then you are doomed to failure; doomed to another day of not completing your dream book or article to promote your work.

When you feel blocked what do you do? Rather than waste precious time, practice simple yoga breathing exercises. They will help to re-energise and unlock your creative muse.

There is a definite link between your state of mind and the way you breathe. Have you noticed that when you are anxious, tense or worried about what to write, your breath is shallow, you hold your breath, your whole body feels tight and your mind is totally blank; or if you are like me, your mind is like a maze, full of ideas that you don’t know which to follow through and you end up writing nothing.

However when you are relaxed, happy and joyful your breath is slow and even. Your body feels soft and mind expansive. You are in the zone and words flow from you as your fingers race over the keyboard or fill up the empty pages in your journal.

Proper breathing is an essential part of relaxation. The way you breathe, impacts upon your emotions and energy levels. When you are relaxed, creativity flows. Thus learning how to use your breath to release tension is vital to your success as a writer.

To help you tap into your creativity, clear and calm your mind, put down your pen, move away from your computer and practice any of these three simple yoga breathing exercises, they will help to release tension and blockages.

Three Deep Breathing Yoga Exercises

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise

1. Lie down on your back and place your right hand on your lower abdomen. Place your left hand on your upper chest.

2. Turn your attention to your breath. Focus your awareness on your lower abdomen and as you slowly breathe in through your nose, be aware of your right hand rising as you breathe in.

3. Send this breath to your upper chest and be aware of your left hand rising as you continue to breathe fully and deeply.

4. As you slowly breathe out, you will feel your hand lowering as your stomach lowers.

5. Repeat this deep diaphragmatic breathing for 5 – 10 rounds.

Relaxation Breath

Sitting comfortably, take a deep breath in and shrug your shoulders up to your ears, breathe out and release, smile and relax your jaw. On your next breath, breathe in and whisper the word ‘relax’ then breathe out, and whisper the word ‘relax’. Sit quietly and repeat this sequence for 5 – 10 rounds.

Humming Bee

Sitting comfortably, take a deep breath in through your nose and slowly breathe out, through your nose. As you breathe out pretend to be a humming bee and hummmmm as you breathe out. You can be a noisy bee or a very quiet softly humming bee. Repeat 3 – 5 times. This is one of my favourite breathing practices and really helps to clear and unblock my mind.

So next time you suffer writers block, don’t worry, trust your instincts, take a few minutes and try one of the above deep breathing exercises…you will feel calm, clear and creativity will flow. Give it a go and enjoy your success as a writer.