“I remember.” It’s a short and simple sentence, but sometimes it’s enough to trigger memories and inspire ideas.
That’s the idea behind Postures and Prompts, a unique program held once a month at Parkgate library.
Each session starts with 45 minutes of yoga led by certified instructor Andrea Winterbottom.
The yoga, suitable for all levels, is then followed by a writing session, also led by Winterbottom, who is a North Shore Writers Association executive member, published author, and short-listed non-fiction finalist for the B.C. Federation of Writers.
Winterbottom explains that she noticed her own inspiration and creativity seemed to flow especially after she practised yoga, so decided to combine the two.
“I just feel that the combination of yoga and writing really benefits your mental well-being,” she notes, adding she thinks doing yoga first helps release creativity.
Each yoga class contains a theme related to yoga chakras, such as trust, intuition or confidence, that Winterbottom discusses during class then extends into a 10-minute free write, followed by an open group discussion.
“Sometimes the theme shows up in some form or another in the writing,” she says.
Winterbottom also uses phrases or other prompts to inspire creativity, such as “I remember,” or she asks participants to write about the first toy they had or describe a tree that was near their childhood home.
Participants are encouraged to share their writing and ideas with the group, but no one is forced to if they don’t feel comfortable doing so.
Participants have ranged in age from early 20s to late 70s, and represent a wide range of writing experience and ability.
“Sometimes their writing starts out going in one direction and ends up in another direction,” notes Winterbottom, adding the prompts often help bring emotions to the surface.
“They have brilliant nuggets in there especially about their feelings and relationships and their childhood,” she says of the participants. “It’s just fabulous.”
For more information about Postures and Prompts at Parkgate Library visit nvdpl.ca.
