Writing Yoga: A Guide to Keeping a Practice Journal

by Bruce Black

Writer and editor Bruce Black began studying yoga in 2006, after his knees could no longer stand the stress of running. Shortly after taking his first class, he started keeping a journal to explore his experiences on the mat. Out of his journal and his devotion to Anusara Yoga has emerged a book that delves into the nexus of yoga, writing, and life.

In Writing Yoga, Bruce begins by sharing tips he has learned along the the benefits of keeping a practice journal, how to select just the right blank book, writing at different times of day, how often to write, and more.

He has organized the book into ten chapters by theme—each with guided writing

   1. Opening Up
   2. Moving Past Fear
   3. Accepting Gifts
   4. Paying Attention
   5. Awakening to Connections
   6. Trusting the Process
   7. Just Sitting
   8. Finding Your Balance
   9. Learning to Breathe
   10. Listening to Your Inner Voice

Part memoir, part writing guide, Bruce weaves in excerpts from his own journal throughout. He reflects on practice as the excitement of walking into his first yoga class, apprehension about bending backward, discomfort with body appearance, the yoga of family relationships, the exhilaration of coming into a headstand for the first time, deepening appreciation for his teachers, and waking up to the exquisite beauty of the world around him.

Bruce guides you in stepping onto your mat and picking up your journal with curiosity and commitment. He shows how your journal can become a good friend, a confidant, a tool to deepen your experience of asana and pranayama, and a mindfulness practice in itself.

Whether you keep a practice journal already or want to start one, let Bruce and Writing Yoga guide you. Maybe you'll write a sentence a day, maybe more. Perhaps you'll come to your journal only now and then. What exhale and give it a try!

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2011

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for me to read before I begin taking my upcoming yoga and tai chi classes* came a copy of Writing Yoga: A Guide to Keeping a Practice Journal by Bruce Black. I first "met" Bruce through his wonderful blog, Wordswimmer, and have gotten to know him better over the past several years thanks to the CYBILS Awards. Bruce is a kind, generous, thoughtful person, as any one who has read his posts and his in-depth interviews can see, and he has written a book that reflects those qualities.

The book purports to be about how keeping a journal about yoga class can enhance one's experience and practice, but - intentionally or not - quite a bit of it can be read metaphorically as being about growth, flexibility, and practice as a writer - a sort of stretching and workout for your writing skills, and not just use of writing skills to talk about yoga.

A confession: I don't keep a journal. I tried keeping a diary for a week or so when I was 12, but it felt artificial and embarrassing and I quickly gave it up. I tried half-heartedly in high school, then again in college, and at least once after that, and I always, always felt self-conscious about it. And worried about what I'd think when I went back to read it later. And yet, I love the idea of a journal, and heaven knows I love reading passages from the journals of historical personages and whatnot, so I've often wished I could manage it.

Bruce's words about journaling have changed how I view a journal, and may just have given me permission to try a yoga/tai chi journal myself. Here's what he says early on:

The practice of journaling is all about process--the process of putting words on paper, the process of thinking and sifting through layers of memories and experiences to make discoveries and gain insights. It's not about what you produce. Like many writers, I rarely reread what I write in my journals. That's because it's in the process of writing--the actual physical act of writing--that you'll make discoveries. That's the point of keeping a journal--not the product, but the process.

Having permission to not read it, permission to work things out, and acknowledgement that the words on the page are not, in the end, what's important takes a lot of the pressure off, so I'm willing to give it a try.

In addition to chapters of instruction and thoughtful exploration on what a journal is, and what it can or should be, Bruce provides samples from his own journal, as well as writing exercises to help one get started journaling - and some of those work as excellent writing exercises, journals be damned.

I recommend this one for folks interested in journaling, whether they practice yoga or not, and for quite a few writers, even if they're not necessarily interested in journaling or yoga. A lovely book, filled with lovely words - just as readers of Bruce's blog would expect. My thanks to Bruce's publisher, Rodmell Press, for sending me a review copy.


*I have, in fact, taken yoga classes in the past, and do a half-assed job with DVDs at home, so I know I love yoga, but I've not yet tried tai chi.

[Rachel Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was doing my yoga teacher training we had to keep a journal of our practice, how we felt, how it related to our lives.

Over the years this unbelievably helpful practice has fallen by the wayside.

But after reading this book I've been yoga journalling again. Part memoir, part writer's guide, part yoga fanbook, Bruce Black uses his own story to help you realise what happens on your mat can reflect what is happening in your life and uses a series of brilliant prompts to kick start your writing.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer to journaling your yoga practice

[Sarah]

If you like the mindfulness meditation books of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn (Wherever You Go There You Are, Full Catastrophe Living), and if you have an interest in writing, yoga, or both, then I highly suggest Bruce Black's combination memoir and how-to guide, Writing Yoga. Through gentle advice, suggestions, and examples from his own life, Black advocates bringing the same caring attentiveness fostered through the discipline of yoga into keeping a journal. He describes how observing one's yoga practice and examining it in writing--and, in fact, examining the writing process itself--can have profound and beneficial effects, not just on the way you approach writing or yoga, but in the way you look at life in general.

Though it's chock full of helpful journaling exercises and examples, it never feels dry or prescriptive, and the various reminiscences from Black's own yoga journey and excerpts from his journal keep it both down to earth and lively. I'd describe it as a friendly book, a companion guide rather than a set of instructions. A quick and inspiring read.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m finding that over the years, yoga has changed for me. In my youth, I practiced yoga for the exercise. My drive was competitive and I would often force myself to do poses that I probably wasn’t ready to do. After a hiatus of many years, I’m now looking at yoga in a new light. Now, it’s more quiet and personal, like a continuous path of self-discovery.

I think, Writing Yoga reflects and compliments my new journey. In this book, the author shares his own journey to yoga and what he has learned about himself in the process. After having practiced yoga for a couple of years, his yoga instructor gave him a journal. In this journal, the author noted his thoughts and explorations about yoga but soon noticed that the lessons he learned on the mat were also the things he needed to understand in other areas of his life.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have ever done any journaling at all this book will not offer new insights. What makes this book an interesting read however is Black's own journal. Throughout he gives excerts from his own journal. It is his personal growth through yoga and his journal that makes this book worth reading. Perhaps after reading this book my own journal will become a little more elegant...perhaps not. : )

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bruce Black has found a way to combine both his passions, yoga and writing, into one. Those passions are then used to explore life. How glorious.

He asks a lot of great questions! I have now read this book and will go back and use the questions to journal. An awesome and thoughtful read.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those wanting to start journaling their personal practice!

[Susannah]

Interesting perspective on the yogic experience; great writing exercises!

[Camellia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book if you are a writer and practice yoga