Creativity isn’t just a mental process—it’s deeply physical. The way we move influences how we think, process emotions, and generate ideas. Many of the greatest writers, artists, and musicians have understood this intuitively, using movement to break through creative blocks or fuel their work.
Haruki Murakami runs marathons. Twyla Tharp swears by daily dance practice. Virginia Woolf took long, meditative walks. Writers from Jane Austen to Franz Kafka to Joan Didion have been notorious pacers. Whether it’s running, yoga, dance, or even fidgeting, movement can be a catalyst for creative expression in ways we don’t always recognize.
Let’s explore how different forms of movement shape the creative process—and why the way you move might matter just as much as what you make.
Dance: Embracing Embodied Expression
Dance is one of the purest forms of physical storytelling. It bypasses logic and language, allowing emotion and intuition to take the lead. Twyla Tharp, the legendary choreographer, has written extensively about how physical movement shapes creative thought. In her book The Creative Habit, she describes how she starts each day with an intense dance-based workout—not just for fitness, but because it primes her mind for creativity.
How dance fuels creativity:
- It activates embodied storytelling, making it especially useful for writers and visual artists looking to tap into sensory experiences.
- Improvised movement breaks rigid thought patterns, encouraging more experimental and free-flowing ideas.
- The physical act of dancing helps externalize emotions, making it a powerful tool for overcoming creative blocks.
If you’re feeling creatively stagnant, try putting on music and moving without a plan. The goal isn’t to be a “good” dancer but to reconnect with instinct and playfulness—both of which are essential to creative work.
Running: The Rhythmic Unraveling of Ideas
Haruki Murakami, arguably one of the most famous literary runners, has said that running is just as important to his writing as actual time at the desk. In What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, he describes how the rhythm of long-distance running mirrors the endurance required for writing novels. Other writers, from Joyce Carol Oates to Don DeLillo, have also spoken about running as a meditative tool that unlocks ideas.
How running fuels creativity:
- The repetitive, rhythmic motion creates a trance-like state, ideal for generating new ideas.
- Physical endurance builds mental endurance, strengthening creative discipline.
- Running outdoors provides fresh sensory input, sparking imagery and narrative possibilities.
Mary Oliver, the poet known for her meditations on nature, famously took long walks every morning, scribbling notes on scraps of paper as she went. She understood that movement wasn’t a break from writing—it was a part of it.
Yoga: Finding Creative Flow Through Stillness and Motion
Yoga is a practice of balance—between movement and stillness, effort and surrender. It has long been linked to creativity, as it strengthens the connection between body and mind. Writers like Dani Shapiro and Elizabeth Gilbert have spoken about how yoga deepens their focus and quiets self-doubt, allowing them to work more intuitively.
How yoga fuels creativity:
- Breath-centered movement encourages mindfulness, reducing anxiety and allowing ideas to emerge more naturally.
- Certain poses, like backbends or hip openers, can release emotional tension, making room for deeper creative exploration.
- The meditative aspect of yoga strengthens concentration, making it easier to sustain long creative projects.
For creatives who struggle with self-doubt or perfectionism, yoga offers a powerful lesson: You don’t have to force things. Just show up, breathe, and allow the process to unfold.
Fidgeting: The Subconscious Mind at Play
Fidgeting is often dismissed as a distraction, but for many creatives, it’s a vital part of thinking. Vladimir Nabokov wrote while standing at a lectern, shuffling index cards. Franz Kafka paced obsessively, sometimes unable to write a word until he had moved for hours. Many modern writers—Zadie Smith, for example—report that they need to physically step away from their desks to let ideas percolate.
Even something as simple as doodling can be a creative trigger. Studies show that low-stakes movement—like tapping a foot, twisting a pen, or pacing a room—keeps the brain engaged while allowing subconscious connections to form.
How fidgeting fuels creativity:
- It prevents mental stagnation, keeping ideas in motion.
- Small, repetitive movements can trigger subconscious associations, leading to unexpected creative insights.
- Pacing or shifting positions can reset the brain, helping to overcome writer’s block.
If you find yourself drumming your fingers or bouncing your leg while writing, don’t suppress it. Your brain might be working through your next breakthrough.
Movement as a Creative Catalyst
There’s no single best way to move for creativity—different forms of movement activate different parts of the brain. Dance unlocks emotional expression. Running clears mental clutter. Yoga fosters deep focus. Fidgeting lets the subconscious play. The key is recognizing that movement isn’t separate from creativity—it’s an essential part of it.
Next time you feel stuck, don’t just stare at the screen. Move. Go for a run, roll out a yoga mat, dance around your kitchen, or just let yourself fidget. Creativity thrives in motion.
