How My Yoga Practice Shapes My Creative Work as a Designer
Creativity and precision are imperative to my craft as a graphic & web designer. What many people may not know is that my morning yoga practice is just as integral to my work as the design software I use. Much like design, yoga is an art form that revolves around balance, mindfulness, and intention—principles that guide my life and my creative process.
Finding Balance in Two Arts
At first glance, yoga and graphic design seem like two entirely different worlds. Yoga is a physical, flowing movement of the body, while design work typically requires long periods of stillness in front of a screen. But beneath the surface, both arts demand a deep understanding of balance and alignment.
In yoga, we work on balancing the body through poses and breathing. In design, I strive to balance the elements on a page—whether it's color, typography, or negative space. Both disciplines require a keen sense of proportion and symmetry. When I'm on the mat, aligning my body helps me to realign my thoughts, allowing for a clearer, more focused design process when I sit down to work.The Power of Mindfulness and Focus
Design work often involves complex problem-solving, requiring both analytical and creative thinking. Similarly, yoga demands a unique focus that brings both the body and mind into harmony. My yoga practice helps me tune out distractions, allowing me to be fully present with my designs. It's a meditative practice, not unlike getting into "the zone" while working on a new branding project or designing a website.
When I flow through a sequence of poses, I let go of mental clutter and make room for creativity. This quiet space in my mind is where my best ideas emerge. Yoga allows me to step away from the chaos of everyday life and approach my work with renewed clarity and purpose.
Using Both Sides of the Brain
One of the biggest parallels between yoga and design is how they challenge me to use both sides of my brain. In yoga, we talk about uniting the left and right sides of the body through poses, which creates balance and strength. As a designer, I'm constantly switching between the logical, detail-oriented side of my brain (the left side) and the creative, big-picture thinking side (the right side).
Graphic and web design require me to think about technical details like grids, spacing, and code, while also allowing space for creativity in visual elements and storytelling. Yoga has taught me to embrace this duality and see it as a strength, both on and off the mat.
The Importance of Movement and Stillness
While design work keeps me stationary for long hours, yoga encourages me to move, stretch, and release tension. This physical movement is key to maintaining my mental sharpness as a designer. After a yoga session, I find that I'm more energized, focused, and inspired to tackle my design work.
But just as yoga involves movement, it also emphasizes the importance of stillness. This stillness, whether it's through meditation or a restful pose, teaches me to pause and reflect—something I apply to my design process as well. Sometimes, the best design solutions come from stepping away and giving myself time to breathe and think before moving forward.
How Yoga Transformed Me as a Designer
Without yoga, I don't think I would be the designer I am today. My practice has taught me patience, mindfulness, and resilience—qualities that are essential not only in the design world, but balancing parenting, home life and working from home. It helps me manage stress and handle the inevitable creative blocks that arise in my work. Most importantly, yoga reminds me that the design process, like life, is a journey, not a destination.
Yoga and design help me grow, push my limits, and appreciate balance. I'm not an expert, but I keep "practicing." Although they appear different, they share a core essence that influences both my creations and my identity.
TIP: If you want to start your own practice, I highly recommend YOGA WITH ADRIENNE on YouTube. It is free.
