My yogateachers, Kenny Graham and Tony Giuliano, shared lots about the philosophy of yoga. To me it’s similar to the things I learned in theatre. I wanted to find out what yoga and theatre have in common. But most of all: how can elements of acting (theatre) help in a yoga practise?
Yoga
Maybe if you never went to see a play, or never acted yourself, you don’t see the connection. Lets start looking at one of the many definitions of yoga.
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means “to join” or “to yoke”.
{patanjali’s yoga sutra’s}
Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit. The continued practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with their environment.
Theatre
Definition of acting: [noun] The art, profession, or activity of those who perform in stage plays, motion pictures, etc.
Like a violist uses the violin as instrument to tell a story, an actor uses his physique, emotions and imagination to tell a story. An actor plays a role. The word ‘role’ literally comes from the parchment roles used in the first ancient Greek plays.
Connection
In the definitions of yoga and theatre you’ll find similar keywords: Yoga is practical. It’s a form of art, uses body, mind and spirit. It leads to feeling one with your environment. Acting (theatre) is also a form of art. It’s active and practical. An actor uses his physique, emotions and imagination.
Exercise: What’s your favourite asana? Try adding an emotion to the poses. Use your imagination to illustrate the emotion. My suggestions: grounded & strong / fierce & passionate / fluid like a river / light as a feather.
I want to invite you to travel along with me.
