The Journey from the Center to the Page: Yoga Philosophies & Practices as Muse for Authentic Writing Paperback - 2005

by Jeff Davis

At once inspirational and instructional, The Journey from the Center to the Page artfully 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