Yoga Talk: Write Before You Practice | Dorothee Baumfalk

Dorothee (00:00) So for me, when I was journaling as a kid, it was more like documenting my everyday life. So today I did this and then I saw that person and then I did this and then I had that for lunch. So it wasn't really deep. then journaling, I learned, is far more than just keeping a diary. It's about getting to know yourself more, just like yoga. And it's about having something to fall back on. when you write over a longer period of time, you can take a look into your journal and maybe you will see a pattern. And that's what I did. I ⁓ have been struggling with anxiety and that was something that really improved when I journaled. It was so great to have the journal to tell everything to. you know, because you just know the journal won't tell anyone, not even by accident. It won't judge you. It will not get bored of your rants. It will not ⁓ roll its eyes at you. And that was something that really helped me. And Gina Clingerman (01:05) Thank Dorothee (01:15) Writing the journal is already great, but my moments where I was like, my god, I'm really onto something here, where when I had already written quite a few pages over a while and I was taking the journal to take a look at it and reading about it. About a special time, you know, I was like, my god, that was a really hard time in my life I need to look at what was going on there because now I'm feeling like I did back then so I Had the chance to grab my journal Flip to that page Because always use dates when you're keeping a journal. That's the lesson here and I was able to look back at that time and reflect what was it that I was doing back then that I'm doing right now that's hurting me and what is it that I'm knowing right now that I didn't know back then but I wish I knew back then and that was so insightful for me that was really really something I was so grateful for. Gina Clingerman (02:07) you Brendon Orr (02:22) Yeah. And you know, I'm a latent journaler, I guess you would call it. And it's a process that is really all about awareness in terms of whether or not it's going to actually, I think, do something for you. Right. And then I've really appreciated that synergy with yoga. Right. And can you maybe speak a little bit to that tangent, Dorothy, about the role of awareness, not only in a yoga practice, but also just the act of journaling in a way. Like are you becoming aware of your thoughts? Are you even aware of how you're feeling as words are coming through you to the page or the screen? Dorothee (03:05) Yeah, I love that question because it really shows how much yoga and journaling go hand in hand. They have really, really similar goals. Both want to clear the mind. Both want to bring you closer to your true self. Both want to clear the path for you to just be happy and let go of everything that weighs you down. So it's a really, really great combination. And I always say it one thing benefits the other. There are so many people who are like yeah yoga yes sounds great but i'm just not able to sit down and relax and do some gentle mindful movement i just want to go out for a run or a swim and everything so having them write a little bit beforehand really gets them into the mood of being on the mat and nowhere else in their head, you know, because sometimes when we're on the mat, we're already in the supermarket doing our grocery shopping. And when you write beforehand, you leave all the stuff at the door. There's no, okay, now you had a full day and So much stuff is going through your head, but now that you're here in the studio, you have to forget all about it because now you're on your med, now you're on your meditation cushion and now you are totally mindful and peaceful and calm. And that's just not how it works. I know that. And writing can help. Writing can be the channel for all these thoughts. You can just get them out, do your yoga and feel great. And also the other way around. Some people are like, yeah, I just don't feel calm enough to like light a candle, put on some music and sit there, take my journal out and write a few pages. I'm just too antsy. I just can't sit still. And then a few dynamic sun salutations, a nice yoga flow, and then you're calm enough to write. and then you're really there. So it's really amazing how yoga and journaling can benefit each other and help you to actually be there and be present and be mindful. And if do one, maybe you can do it with the other.