Dec 6th 1-2-3: Motion Is Lotion
1: Motion Is Lotion ( 2 minute read )
I’ve spent a lot of time sitting.
If you are like most people nowadays, chances are you have too. In fact, you are likely sitting right now as you read this.
Now I am not here to chastise or berate anyone, least of all myself. Sitting is just something that we do a lot more of compared to before.
Sure not all of us, but a much larger amount of people have jobs that necessitate sitting in contrast to before.
So how does this relate to the creative?
Well, it is incredibly important in fact. Funny you should ask!
“Motion is lotion.”
It is a quote I heard a while back from fitness instructor, Dan Go. He was explaining the best practices to have for yourself for longevity, and for mental and physical health.
We tend to separate our body from our minds. We talk about mind, body, and spirit.
The fact is, that the mind exists WITHIN the body. We are unique, and wonderfully formed.
We are made to move, to lift heavy things, to walk long distances, to hunt and gather.
We are also made, to create.
There is a most inextricable link between movement, and creativity. Motion may be lotion for our joints and muscles, but I have also found it to be lotion for the creative mind.
When we don’t feel well, we can feel a creative block of sorts. Not thinking clearly, not coming up with anything new or fresh.
When we move, all of our systems begin to move as well. Blood pumps, our lungs breathe, and our minds loosen.
Many a creative mind uses this knowledge to their advantage to facilitate their best work.
Haruki Murakami, renowned Japanese author, wakes up bright and early every morning to write for four to five hours. After, he runs and swims, everyday.
Regarding physical training, Haruki said, “writing a long novel is like survival training. Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity,”
In my own life, I have noticed a direct link between movement and how clearly I am able to think and create.
The blessing, is it doesn’t have to be much. You can do some stretches, go for a ten minute walk and you will notice a subtle yet powerful difference on your mood and clarity.
Do this every day for a week, and you notice a pretty big difference.
Do it for a month, and you start to change.
If you find yourself sitting a lot, move your body and open up your mind. It will make quite the difference to your ability to create.
2: Creative Prompts From Us (ex. Write a short story, a poem, a song, or draw a quick illustration of these! Let your imagination run free.)
I. Go for a 10 minute walk without any headphones. What kind of ideas do you get?
II. Before you sit down to create, try doing 10 squats. How does this open up your mind?
3: Inspirational Quotes From Others
I. "The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow." – Henry David Thoreau, Writer
II. "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." – John Muir, Mountaneer
III. "There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophies." – Friedrich Nietzsche, Philospher
Thank you so much for reading!