As we’ve witnessed with the inspired #365yoga blogs, sometimes living your yoga takes a little writing it down. So we’re just beside ourselves on the mat with joy to present this giveaway for a yoga book that’s not only about a yoga journey, but about journaling the process along the way. In his new book, Writing Yoga: A Guide to Keeping a Practice Journal, Bruce Black takes us with him on a tour of exploring writing, yoga and life, and the intersections in between.
Read about Bruce’s personal experience with finding his authentic voice on and off the mat, and start your own journal practice with the exercises found at the close of each chapter. If you’re struggling to write, or simply want to be inspired to dig a little deeper, it’s the perfect kickstarter book for n00bs and vets alike.
WIN: A copy of Writing Yoga: A Guide to Keeping a Practice Journal by Bruce Black (courtesy of Rodmell Press).
TO ENTER: Well, we certainly won’t ask you to journal here, or dust off one of your old entries on past escapades and the search for meaning of life, from childhood, er you know, whenever. No, we’re going to do it Mad Libs style! Ready? Get ready to jot down some words.
What to do: Write down a word for each below.
- adjective
- adjective
- yoga pose you struggle with
- verb
- noun (body part)
- yoga pose you love
- friend’s name
- adjective
- verb
- noun
- adverb
- adjective
- past tense verb
- noun
Then, fill in the appropriate blanks. And post the final the comments below!
Yoga is __1__ and makes me feel __2__. When I practice __3__ I really need to __4__ my ___5__ afterward. But doing __6__ with __7__ I feel __8__ and want to __9__ a __10__ __11__ right away. It’s the most __12__ feeling since I __13__ __14__.
(*inspired by curvyyoga.com)
OR, you could always head on over to Wordlibs and choose a story line (like When I Became a Rock Star! or Unused Song Titles), fill in the blanks and post your final story in the comments. That’s it! Fun!
Giveaway closes end of Sunday, April 10th. Winners (yes, winnerS!) will be chosen at random and announced Monday the 11th. Have fun! Good luck!!
Read more about Bruce, his writing and his yoga http://journalpractice.wordpress.com
UPDATE: WINNERS!
Huge congrats to:
Christine
adventurediva
carol D
wendi
Beth
CariG
peaches
Allyson
Stephanie Shaw
Jenny
Keep an eye out for an email coming soon.
Thank you all! This was so much fun!
——
Earlier…
Yoga is __pretty__ and makes me feel __lovely__. When I practice __mayurasana__ I really need to __go__ my ___calf__ afterward. But doing __triangle__ with __Erin__ I feel __bouncy__ and want to __trot__ a __mug__ __softly__ right away. It’s the most __pink__ feeling since I __finished__ __tree__.
Mmmm, not so much 🙂 But fun diversion!
Yoga is bendy and makes me feel colorful. When I practice Shirshasana I really need to flex my glutes afterward. But doing Parsva Bakasana with Liz I feel stiff and want to float a mat lightly right away. It’s the most aromatic feeling since I jumped a water bottle.
Yoga is __fun__ and makes me feel __huge__. When I practice __wheel pose__ I really need to __laugh__ my ___arm__ afterward. But doing __pigeon__ with __Amy__ I feel __amazing__ and want to __read__ a __car__ __boldy__ right away. It’s the most __peaceful__ feeling since I __slept__ __a mat__.
LOL 🙂
Yoga is hot and makes me feel spicy. When I practice wheel I really need to run my neck afterward. But doing tree with Sandy I feel shiny and want to rest a dog calmly right away. It’s the most funny feeling since I ate cookies.
Yoga is awesome and makes me feel sticky. When I practice King Pigeon I really need to relax my nose afterward. But doing Triangle with Elizabeth I feel refreshed and want to breathe a cloud quietly right away. It’s the most serene feeling since I smelled flowers.
Yoga is __funny__ and makes me feel __red__. When I practice __UHP__ I really need to __run__ my ___nose__ afterward. But doing __sirsasana__ with __Tova__ I feel __sweet__ and want to __drive__ a __chair__ __quickly__ right away. It’s the most __silly__ feeling since I __jumped__ __mats__.
Yoga is fat and makes me feel promiscuous. When I practice tree pose I really need to rap about my feet afterwards. But doing triangle pose with Chiquita, I feel sexy and want to type on a computer gently right away. It’s the most old feeling since I risked everything.
Yoga is sunny and makes me feel delicious. When I practice Maricyasana D I really need to excite my right ear afterward. But doing tree with Sasha I feel sweaty and want to tickle a tea leaf blissfully right away. It’s the most peculiar feeling since I drank dinosaurs.
Yoga is delicious and makes me feel charming. When I practice shoulder stand I really need to run my neck afterward. But doing pigeon with Grace I feel silly and want to sleep a basket quickly right away. It’s the most weird feeling since I chewed flowers.
Yoga is sensual and makes me feel joyful. When I practice Flying King Pigeon I really need to run my toe afterward. But doing Triangle with Johanna I feel fantastic and want to eat a carrot right away. It’s the most willful feeling since I slept grass.
Hahaha! This gave me a good chuckle (and a reminder of how much I have forgotten about grammar!):
Yoga is happy and makes me feel loving. When I practice headstand I really need to yawn my toe afterward. But doing down dog with Michele I feel ocean and want to hike a chicken happily right away. It’s the most bulbous feeling since I was dog.
P.S. I messed up on #8. It was supposed to be “blue” not “ocean”.
Yoga is __bright__ and makes me feel _warm_. When I practice _urdhva danurasana_ I really need to _sow_ my __knee_ afterward. But doing _adho mukha svanasana_ with __Kathryn_ I feel _round_ and want to _play_ a _book_ __easily_ right away. It’s the most __exuberant_ feeling since I __loved_ __lamp_.
Yoga is girly and makes me feel striped. When I practice malasana I really need to skate my pinkie afterward. But doing pigeon with Carly I feel shiny and want to drink a chapstick loudly right away. It’s the most tall feeling since I bought cats.
Yoga is high and makes me feel low. When I practice pigeon I really need to play my foot afterward. But dong standing split with Joanna I feel nice and want to go a chair quickly right away. It’s the most free feeling since I listened to music.
Yoga is shiny and makes me feel lovely. When I practice Chaturanga
I really need to run my nose afterward. But doing Downward Dog with Kelly I feel slippery and want to make a sugar quickly right away. It’s the most sharp feeling since I went dog.
Yoge is smart and makes me feel gooey. When I practice Ardha Chandrasana I really need to stretch my thigh afterward. But doing Trikonasana with Laura I feel sweet and want to sweat a piano cautiously right away. It’s the most horrible feeling since I sketched a truck.
Yoga is shapely and makes me feel esteemed. When I practice handstand I really need to smoosh my sit-bones afterward. But doing eka pada galavasana with K.D. I feel effulgent and want to extend a kitchari lick right away. It’s the most tender feeling since I rustled harmonium.
Yoga is GREEN and makes me feel RADIANT. When I practice VIRABHADRASANA III I really need to SKIP my LEFT ELBOW afterward. But doing BALASANA with MEGHAN I feel JOYFUL and want to EAT a SUN BLISSFULLY right away. It’s the most SILLY feeling since I RAN SHOE.
Yoga is gorgeous and makes me feel juicy. When I practice Halasana I really need to jump my elbow afterward. But doing wheel with Jen I feel beautiful and want to sashay a foot cleverly right away. It’s the most attractive feeling since I ate chocolate.
Yoga is bootylicious and makes me feel flexible. When I practice shoulderstand I really need to chew my bellybutton afterward. But doing wheel with Jennifer I feel vapid and want to vibrate a toenail obnoxiously right away. It’s the most glorious feeling since I believed smile.
Yoga is furry and makes me feel warm. When I practice forearm balance I really need to spin my knuckle afterward. But doing happy baby with Eric I feel moist and want to run a cat sloppily right away. It’s the most crusty feeling since I spied chicken.
Yoga is soft and makes me feel gorgeous. When I practice handstand I really need to swim my elbow afterward. But doing down dog with Nicole I feel weird and want to kiss an octopus quickly right away. It’s the most purple feeling since I jumped tomato.
Yoga is peaceful and makes me feel beautiful. When I practice the crow, I really need to rub my shoulder afterward. But doing downward facing dog with Nick I feel goofy and want to hug a llama warmly right away. It’s the most loving feeling since I kissed puppy.
Yoga is acceptance and it makes me feel free. When I practice hot I really need to wash my clothes afterward. But doing sun salutations with friends I feel strong and want to teach a stranger yoga right away. Its’ the most freeing feeling since I was four!
Yoga is happy and makes me feel pink. When I practice crow I really need to dance my wrists afterward. But doing pigeon with Heather I feel light and want to jump a sandpit happily right away. It’s the most purple feeling since I planted a tree.
Yoga is green and makes me feel sparkly. When I practice warrior 1 I really need to swim my arms afterward. But doing child’s pose with Niki I feel soft and want to jump a tiger relectantly right away. It’s the most prickly feeling since I ran Vancouver.
Yoga is beautiful makes me feel difficult. When I practice awkward pose I really need to run my arm afterward. But doing pigeon pose with Alicia I feel funky and want to walk a ocean swiftly right away. It’s the most tall feeling since I sought flowers.
I just returned home a few hours ago after spending the weekend attending the funeral of my best friend’s mother. It was a celebration of life, a great party, but it was tiring nonetheless. I’ve been in airports all day and barely made my connecting flight. With all the ups and downs this weekend, figuratively and literally, it’s not the least bit surprising to see a theme in my ad lib. Sat Nam!
Yoga is beautiful and makes me feel tired. When I practice Side Plank, I really need to fly my leg afterward. But doing Revolved Triangle with Erin, I feel smart and want to celebrate an airplane quickly right away. It’s the most landing feeling since I arrived home.
Yoga is slippery and makes me feel colorful. When I practice headstand I really need to escape my elbow afterward. But doing revolved triangle with Andrew I feel rich and want to pop a beach brazenly right away. It’s the most loveliest feeling since I squeezed pony.
Yoga is _ whole_ and makes me feel __alive__. When I practice __bakasana__ I really need to __empty__ my __mind__ afterward. But doing __urdhva mukha svanasana __ with __Fimoni__ I feel __wider__ and want to __exhale__ a __object__ __namely__ right away. It’s the most __perfect__ feeling since I __inhaled__ __union__.
Yoga is bouncy and makes me feel warm. When I practice warrior 3 I really need to play my elbow afterward. But doing down dog with Theresa I feel pretty and want to read a plate quickly right away. It’s the most unequal feeling since I wore cat.
Yoga is __awesome__ and makes me feel __sparkly__. When I practice __handstand__ I really need to __jiggle__ my ___hips__ afterward. But doing __Hanuman__ with __my secret lover__ I feel __delicious__ and want to __smile__ a __cookie__ __actively__ right away. It’s the most __superduper__ feeling since I __swam__ __crocodile__.
Uh. The last sentence didn’t work out for me.
Yoga is __funny__ and makes me feel __green__. When I practice __crow__ I really need to __breathe__ my ___hips__ afterward. But doing _headstand__ with __Abi__ I feel __round__ and want to __fast__ a __daughter__ __slowly__ right away. It’s the most __intense__ feeling since I __swam__ __drums__.
Yoga is fierce and makes me feel joyful. When I practice crow I really need to fly my elbow afterward. But doing pigeon with Carolina I feel fancy and want to swim a sky quickly right away. It’s the most crazy feeling since I laughed coffee.
yoga IS fierce! and laughing coffee is a crazy feeling. thanks for the giggle 🙂
Yoga is squirrelly and makes me feel ethereal. When I practice pinchamayarasana, I really need to walk my elbo afterward. But doing Ardha Chandrasana with Barb, I feel salty and want to transform a dog quickly right away. It’s the most windy feeling since I remembered tree.
Yoga is grainy and makes me feel crooked. When I practice wheel, I really need to grate my kidney afterward. But doing pigeon pose with Alison, I feel fluffy and want to ski a wagon secretly right away. It’s the most bothersome feeling since I skirted a wolf.
Yoga is happy and makes me feel awesome. When I practice handstand I really need to run my knees afterward. But doing warrior three with Lisa I feel lovely and want to kiss a hot sneaker right away. It’s the most paranoid feeling since I lept tombstone.
Yoga is hunky and makes me feel whiny. When I practice Lotus I really need to fly my knee afterward. But doing Warrior I with Pam, I feel slimy and want to kick a cat softly right away. It’s the most stretchy feeling since I slid sink.
Yoga is beautiful and makes me feel pretty. When I practice revolved triangle I really need to kiss my arm afterward. But doing Warrior II with Elena, I feel ugly and want to kick a hat gently right away. It’s the most pink feeling since I ran book.
Yoga is smelly and makes me feel large. When I practice trikonasana I really need to wave my pinky afterward. But doing tadasana with Connie, I feel wild and want to squeeze a monkey slowly right away. It’s the most funky feeling since I bent a car.
Yoga is raw and makes me feel alive. When I practice gomukhasana I really need to check my esteem afterward. But doing adho mukha vrksasana with kym I feel chill and want to savor a breath languidly right away. It’s the most calm feeling since I hugged my baby.
Yoga is lovely and makes me feel critical. When I practice cobra I really need to beckon my nose afterward. But doing pigeon with Marcia I feel soulful and want to run a marker slowly right away. It’s the most red feeling since I yelled sun.
Yoga is strong and makes me feel fitful. When I practice Ustrasana, I really need to tumble my back afterwards. But doing Ardha Chandrasana with Kristin I feel excellent and want to emote a blanket beautifully right away. It’s the most wretched feeling since I ached door.
Yoga is SPIRITUAL and makes me feel ALIVE! When I practice HALF MOON I really need to WIGGLE my ANKLES afterward. But doing DOWN DOG with AMANDA I feel ENLIGHTENED and want to BEGIN a TREE-POSE STEADFASTLY right away. It’s the most POWERFUL feeling since I TURNED FIFTY-TWO.
Yoga is shiny and makes me feel happy. When I practice half-moon I really need to gleam my arm afterward. But doing Warrior II with Lexie I feel strong and want to trip a sun quickly right away. It’s the most tall feeling since I snapped teacup.
Since I snapped teacup indeed. LOL.
Yoga is __specatular__ and makes me feel __hairy__. When I practice __boat pose__ I really need to __paint__ my ___big toe__ afterward. But doing __savasana__ with __Donald__ I feel __magical__ and want to __vacuum__ a __mat__ __gleefully__ right away. It’s the most __happy__ feeling since I __wandered__ __home__.
Yoga is cogent and makes me feel prickly. When I practice boat pose I really need to wash my belly button afterward. But doing headstand with Will I feel bubbly and want to translate an cheetach right wawa. it’s the most bouncy feeling since I stalked grapefruit.
From the on-line mad-libs (too fun!)
Once upon a Yoga, a supple girl named Seanne Corne was born into the Land of yogification. When she was 491 years old, her luscious powers we’re really put to the test. She got a letter from the leader of the healthy treasure Association, explaining that she had been chosen to complete a very sassy and important quest. If she failed, the world would twist slowly. Being the noble, very girl Seanne Corne was, she took up the task, and John Friend joined her, bringing along his magical, wild armor. Together they followed a map into the delectable yogilicious Cave, where they found a ferocious saucy sloth that was killing the earth. The battle was long and monsterous, but in the end, Seanne Corne and John Friend danced and threw pleasant ecosystems at the creature. It thrilled in pain, and then it was over. They had hugged the world.
Yoga is __life-changing__ and makes me feel __whole__. When I practice __dancer’s pose__ I really need to __open__ my ___heart__ afterward. But doing __triangle__ with __Justin__ I feel __strong__ and want to __hold__ a ____ puppy__tenderly__ right away. It’s the most __fluffy__ feeling since I __used__ __fabric softener__.
Yoga is __goofy__ and makes me feel __smelly__. When I practice __headstand__ I really need to __prance__ my ___coccyx__ afterward. But doing __pigeon pose__ with __Matt__ I feel __awesome__ and want to __shave__ a __speaker__ __lightly__ right away. It’s the most __sunny__ feeling since I __ignited__ __a lightbulb__.
Yoga is _wild__ and makes me feel __warm__. When I practice __hero pose__ I really need to __shake__ my __leg__ afterward. But doing __pigeon pose__ with __Kristina__ I feel __content__ and want to __exhale__ a __cat__ __slowly__ right away. It’s the most __slippery__ feeling since I __squatted__ __lunch__.
this is funny 😉 thanks!
finally! got to this post, glad i did & glad bruce’s work is getting good response and reviews (even on amazon 😉 )
writing’s not for everyone, but this sounds like as good a way to find out as any i’ve seen, esp that incorporate yoga
thanks!
Yoga is graceful and makes me feel blissful. When I practice wide-angle seated forward bend I really need to shake my legs afterward. But doing tree pose with Fee I feel invicible and I want to wear a Superman suit right away. It’s the most amazing feeling since I fell in love.
Yoga is rad and makes me feel hot. When I practice bakasana I really need to dance my hips afterward. But doing salamba sirsana with Benjamin I feel elated and want to kick a painting colorful right away. It’s the most soft feeling since I rode bottle.
Not sure if i was supposed to do this without peeking- true madlibs style- but i did. very nonsensical.
Yoga is beautiful and makes me feel peaceful. When I practice Locust pose I really need to move my Stomach afterward. But when doing Dancer’s pose with Nicole I feel funny and want to run a girl quickly right away. It’s the most quiet feeling since I sat on a rock.
It’s partially silly but partially accurate! 🙂
Yoga is __happy__ and makes me feel __peacefull__. When I practice __crow__ I really need to __help__ my ___arms__ afterward. But doing __downward dog__ with __bianca__ I feel __balanced__ and want to __play__ a __tree __softly__ right away. It’s the most __liberated_ feeling since I __was__ __cat__.
Looove doing thiss thhhxxx 🙂
It just seems so natural to write down the wonders that yoga offers. I am looking forward to reading it and writing a review too. The creative forces stemming from yoga through one’s writing is amazing combination. I can’t wait to get the book into my hands and devour it from cover to end.
Namaste!