Yoga for the Creative Soul: Exploring the Five Paths of Yoga to Reclaim Your Expressive Spirit

232 Pages·2017·1.59 MB·English

by  Erin Byron

About the Author
Erin Byron, MA, is a psychotherapist, enlightenment activist, and engaging
speaker who has studied yoga psychology and expressive arts for twenty years.
She is one of the founders of Comprehensive Yoga Therapist Training,
specializing in mental health and clinical skills, and author of numerous books
and articles on yoga, meditation, and resiliency. Erin brings laughter, creativity,
and play into all of her writing and lectures as she connects you to the joy of
what is possible in life. www.ErinByron.com
Llewellyn Publications
Woodbury, Minnesota
Copyright Information Yoga for the Creative Soul: Exploring the Five Paths of
Yoga to Reclaim Your Expressive Spirit © 2018 by Erin Byron All rights
reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter
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First e-book edition © 2017
E-book ISBN: 9780738753713
Book design by Bob Gaul
Cover design by Howie Severson/Fortuitous Publishing Llewellyn Publications
is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Byron, Erin, author.
Title: Yoga for the creative soul: exploring the five paths of yoga to
reclaim your expressive spirit / Erin Byron.
Description: First Edition. | Woodbury: Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., 2017. |
Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017034514 (print) | LCCN 2017044357 (ebook) | ISBN
9780738753713 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738752181 (alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Yoga. | Yoga—Psychological aspects.
Classification: LCC RA781.67 (ebook) | LCC RA781.67 .B97 2017 (print) |
DDC
613.7/046—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017034514
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Llewellyn Publications
Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
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Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
Manufactured in the United States of America
Disclaimer T that is
HIS BOOK CONTAINS INFORMATION
intended to help the readers be better-informed yoga
practitioners. It is presented as general advice. This book
is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a
physician or a psychologist/psychiatrist. Before
beginning any new exercise program, it is recommended
that you seek medical advice from your healthcare
provider. The reader should consult with his or her
respective provider in any matters relating to physical or
mental health. The information in this book is meant to
supplement, not replace, proper yoga asana training. Like
any physical activity, yoga can pose some risk of physical
injury if done improperly. The author and publisher
advise readers that they have full responsibility for their
safety and should know their limits. Before practicing
asana poses as described in this book, be sure that you are
well informed of proper practice and do not take risks
beyond your experience and comfort levels. The
publisher and the author assume no liability for any
injuries caused to the reader that may result from the
reader’s use of the content contained herein and
recommend common sense when contemplating the
practices described in the work.
Acknowledgments
I AM SO THANKFUL to the countless people who contributed to shaping my life
and learning. Each moment passed has brought me to this one and I am
appreciative.
My mom, Donna, has been instrumental in supporting my journey as a
psychotherapist, yoga studio owner, artist, homemaker, and healthy, friendly
person. Thank you, Mom, for leading by example and for your tireless
generosity, humor, and love. My dad, Don, for imparting values of hard work,
education, and service. You taught me a lot about being an effective leader. My
little brother, Kyle Byron, for being a superlative coach, cheerleader, and
teammate. You inspire me every day to eat healthy, stay strong, care, and make a
joke. To my cottage family for nourishing my child self then and now.
Robert (Bob) Butera. I say it all the time … because it is so: No Bob—no Erin.
If the phrase “He taught me everything I know” can be true, it applies here.
Thank you, Bobji, mentor, colleague, and friend. To Gita and Gail Laidler for
introducing us and to the Yoga Institute of Mumbai for authentic teachings in
tradition, self-reliance, and the ease of a pure practice—and for your role in
sculpting Bob the yogi.
To the authoritative shaman and sweet smoochy, Peter Arcari, there is no end
to my thankfulness. Because of you, I understand love. I get to talk esoterics, art,
magic, and the meaning of all things every day … plus sunflowers! You are
patient, wise, and a riot. Thank you for a home of creativity and wisdom.
To Joshua and Nathan Arcari, two of the best people I know. It is an
inspiration to watch you trust yourselves and follow your artistry. Joshua, your
precise forethought, unique eye, and layers of brilliance remind me to be brave,
keen, and prudent. Nathan, you amaze me with your ability to read the moment
and simply state its highest truth (and similarly give every one of your sculptures
a soul). Each of you is a gift … wrapped in a present … wrapped in a gift.
To Kristen Butera, who teaches me what I am made of. Thank you for loving
all parts of me—even the ones you haven’t met yet. This balance of love,
laughter, hard work, theorizing, applying, cooking, dancing, scheming, walking,
moon-gazing, wave-riding, chalk-smearing, debating, unwinding, gif-ing,
learning, lazing, cocreating, and communing serves me well!
To the many teachers who dedicated their lives to understanding through daily
practice, thank you for sharing your true discoveries. To R. Duff Doel, Stephanie
Scheid, Ria Caro, Andy Handley, and Ollie for insight into pranamaya kosha and
the ways I may perceive and heal on that energetic level. To author and musician
Gary Diggins for exemplifying life as an artist and enlightenment activist. To the
team at Haliburton School of Art and Design for the weeks of inspiration,
notably Julie McIntyre and Markus Alexander.
To Amy Reusch and Erin Strike for sharing creative space. To Sam Turton for
curiosity and keen perspectives. To Ryan Doel, M. OMSc., for health support
and education. To Jalen Seguin for being a mirror and dancing rock; to James
Perly for strength; to Richard Willis for the heart of possibility.
To the team at Llewellyn Publications, especially the lovely, creative Angela
Wix and patient, hawk-eyed Stephanie Finne.
Thank you to my Yoga Therapy colleagues and students, the International
Association of Yoga Therapists, and the team of Comprehensive Yoga Therapy,
for creating a vision and value for yoga in society. Staffan Elgelid, Libby Piper,
Erika Tenenbaum, Shelly “The Connector” Prosko, Helene Couvrette, Steffany
Moonaz, Marlysa Sullivan, Alison Braithwaite, Linda Boryski, Sarah Garden,
Kristie Norquay, Marj Haire, Brittanya Beddington, Susan Tranmer, Jan
Debenham and Shauna Ellerby, Tiffany Barrett Eyamie, Cassi Kit, Ginger
Garner, Matt Taylor, Jen Collins Taylor, Michelle Peddle, John Kepner, and
many others—you know who you are.
To those who kept things afloat during the transition: Gena Marta, Karen Van
Eyk, Ronna Yallup, Erin Parkin, Mary Keefe, Jeff Lyons, Nora, Karen Camara,
Debbie Grimm, and all the teachers and students who practiced karma yoga and
purified their hearts, minds, or lives through participation. Thank you!
To the many students who reinforced and elaborated everything I know about
yoga. You teach me innumerable perspectives and applications of our tradition.
Thank you for your curiosity, methodology, and dedication. I am especially
grateful to those of you who have stayed close throughout the years. Each
student is dear to me and it is warming to remain a part of your life.
Thank you all for supporting me and the creation of this work.
Contents
Exercise List
Introduction
Part 1: The Path of Creativity
Chapter 1: Motivation & Movement Chapter 2: Resistance &
Clearing Ignorance Chapter 3: I, Me, Mine, Divine Chapter 4:
Toward & Away Chapter 5: Fear Part 2: Accessing the Creative Soul
Chapter 6: Via Purpose Chapter 7: Using a System Chapter 8: From
the Heart Chapter 9: Think It Through Chapter 10: Sensing Creation
Part 3: Creative Living with Yoga & Expressive Arts Chapter 11: The
Reptilian Brain & Your Base Instincts Chapter 12: Play Is a Need
Chapter 13: Human Chapter 14: Being Conclusion
Glossary
Recommended Resources
Recommended Reading