North London Reading Group

I’m very easily distracted. One fleeting thought can have me searching holidays to Mexico or farm houses in Devon, both of which are unrealistic purchases existing purely in the realms of my fanciful imagination, and make meeting article deadlines and staying in my creative flow more challenging than is necessary. And then there’s Facebook…

However four years ago I stumbled across a distraction (well two actually) I happily embrace as part of my daily writing process, yoga and meditation. The benefits I experience from both are too many to list here, but those I find most useful when sitting down with a new writing project are the ability to consciously clear my mind of busy thoughts, and to focus.

On a physical level, yoga helps improve circulation and therefore nourishes the brain. It relieves stress in the body and mind, creating a more fluid space for thoughts and ideas to evolve. The combination of movement with conscious breathing brings greater awareness within the body and of thoughts and feelings, and it’s when we become observers of ourselves and move beyond the rigid structure of the ego, that we’re truly free and open to inspiration.

How to help balance your left and right brain

A particular technique that is brilliant for calming and balancing the mind is “Nadi Shodana” also known as alternate nostril breathing. The right nostril governs the analytical, active part of the brain and the left nostril relates to the creative, passive side. To write effectively we need both sides in balance and this simple practice does exactly that. As we breathe alternately we harness aspects from both sides equally, flowing seamlessly between intuition and logic.

1. Fold down the index and middle finger on your right hand, using only thumb, ring and little finger to create a gentle clamp.
2. Sit upright supported on the ground (by placing a cushion or a rolled up blanket beneath you) or on a chair.
3. Take a deep breath in through BOTH nostrils, then close off the RIGHT nostril with your thumb and exhale through the LEFT nostril. Inhale again through the LEFT, close off the LEFT with your ring/little finger and then exhale through the RIGHT. Inhale through the RIGHT, close off and exhale through the LEFT.
4. Continue with this for a couple of minutes, breathing deeply and evenly, and make sure your elbow is not pressing in to your ribcage.
5. Always end the practice with an exhalation on the left nostril then, releasing the hand, take one deep full breath inhaling and exhaling through both nostrils.

Writers’ retreat

To explore more techniques like this and an opportunity to escape your distractions, I’m running a yoga and writing weekend with Hayley Johns on 9th November in the Suffolk countryside. The retreat is open to writers of all levels of experience, and a chance to de-stress, fire up your creativity and get stuck in to writing projects new or current.

There is opportunity to share your work with some like minds, plenty of creative prompts if you need a hand getting started and we’ll also be indulging in beach walks, fireside storytelling and a few surprises too.

For more information see www.urban-witch.com or email  Katie@urban-witch.com.