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In this yoga podcast, hosts Brendon Orr and Gina Clingerman sit down with writing coach and poet Kimberly McElhatten for a profound yoga talk on the intersection of ancient philosophy and the creative process. This episode offers a unique lens on modern yoga culture by revealing how the yamas and niyamas can be directly applied to the yoga practice of writing. Kimberly shares how principles like ahimsa (non-violence) help silence the inner critic, while tapas (the fire of transformation) guides writers through the “cauldron” of truth-telling. We also explore the neuroscience of the default mode network, the power of “doing nothing,” and how intentional rest fuels both creativity and embodied living.
Hear Kimberly explain why sitting in the “heat of transformation” is essential for accessing your unique truth—and how a simple walk without headphones can take you from writer’s block to deep creative flow.
Key topics:
- Applying the yamas and niyamas (ahimsa and tapas) to the writing process
- Overcoming writer’s block and silencing the inner critic
- Harnessing the brain’s default mode network through intentional rest
- Creating a heart-centered, mindful container for creative work
- Integrating yoga philosophy off the mat into everyday life
Recorded April 10, 2026