The Journey from the Center to the Page

by Davis, Jeff

• ISBN13: 9781592401383
• ISBN10: 1592401384
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-21
• Publisher: Gotham

Summary

At once inspirational and instructional, The Journey from the Center to the Pageartfully illustrates how yoga philosophies and practices can be an invaluable ally to the writing life.With wisdom for writers of any level and in any genre, nationally known yoga and writing instructor Jeff Davis shows you how yoga’s principles and practical tools can deepen your writing process and increase your versatility as a writer. A grounded guide to the body-mind-imagination connection, this book shows ways to: Re-connect with your deeper intention for writing Sustain concentration and confidence when writing Make time to write what matters most to you Write with an authentic voice Draft, re-vision, and revise with an embodied writing process Write with a more visceral style replete with fresh imagery, intimate detail, metaphor, and rhythm Convert fear and anger into powerful stories and satire Cultivate compassion for complex characters—whether real or fictional Create an authentic writers community Praise: …maps the way for living the authentic life of the writer, a life not found in the bottle, in pills, or in misery, but rather a life found at the center of our authentic selves.” --Robert S. Nelsen, Director of Creative Writing, The University of Texas at Dallas Jeff Davis inspires us to find the genuine voice of our own body/mind by sharing the time tested yogic practices of breathing consciously, getting grounded and creating space. This book is a terrific road map toward creating the conditions for writing to happen.” --Cyndi Lee, founder of Om Yoga Finally, a book that blurs the distinction between Doing and Being.” --Jack Myers, Poet Laureate of Texas, 2003; Director of Creative Writing, Southern Methodist University In addition to suggesting specific yoga exercises for various writing roadblocks. . . this is a substantial writing guide, with lessons in voice, symbol, syntax and dialogue.” –The Dallas Morning News

Author Biography

Apoet, freelance writer, and editor, Jeff Davis founded the Yoga as Muse for Authentic Writing Workshops and has taught writing for sixteen years, assisting students of all ages and from all walks of life. His work has taken him to numerous locales, including Omega at The Crossings; New York City-'s Om Yoga Center; and Bliss Yoga Center in Woodstock, New York, where he writes and teaches.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Remember Your Body	ix
MAKING A FEW PREPARATIONS
1. Putting on the Robe: Exploring Your Intentions for Writing	3	(8)
2. Schedules and Rituals to Stretch Your Writing Time	11	(10)
3. A Stoked Belly: Mustering Perseverance to Keep Writing	21	(9)
4. Inspiration and Joyful Concentration: A Matter of Breath	30	(11)
SETTING OUT
5. Dummies and Self-Study: Creating an Authentic Voice	41	(9)
6. Practicing Presence: Ways to Heed and Harness Your Senses	50	(10)
7. Writing with Wonder and an Awakened Imagination	60	(11)
8. Embodied Metaphors and Symbols: The Brain's Yearning for Unity	71	(13)
9. Bliss in a Toothbrush	84	(9)
10. Tuning In to Your Prose's Embodied Sounds	93	(9)
11. The Pulse of a Sentence and the Yoga of Syntax	102	(13)
12. Straight from the Mouth: Artful Dialogue as Revelation	115	(10)
13. The Art of Wandering in First Drafts	125	(12)
FACING EMOTIONAL CRAGS
14. Dogs, Lovers, and Other Things that Bite: Writing the Truth	137	(12)
15. The Inner Heckler Laughs Even at Sages: Facing Fear	149	(12)
16. You are Wide and Full of Contradictions: Writing Based on Your Self	161	(12)
17. Stories of Scars and Deep Memories: Writing Beyond Trauma	173	(10)
18. Compassion for Your Characters-the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Depraved	183	(13)
19. Converting Anger into Authentic Writing	196	(15)
LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD
20. Eating Leaves and Other Ways to Re-vision for Form	211	(14)
21. Letting Go of Delusion and Control: Revise!	225	(9)
22. Friendly Warnings of Inauthenticity	234	(5)
23. For Writers Who Already Practice Yoga	239	(8)
24. A Writers' Sat-sanga	247	(6)
Appendix of Poses with Contraindications	253	(18)
Glossary of Key Terms	271	(8)
Endnotes	279	(8)
Acknowledgments	287