Flow Study: The Creative Act
Ever since I can remember, books have been an essential part of my life. You’ll find them in every room of my home—stacked high and nestled in every corner. I’m not a picky reader. I’ll happily dive into anything: fiction, non-fiction, self-help, cookbooks, gardening guides, children’s stories, yoga texts, poetry, travel—you get the picture. My sister-in-law jokes during every visit that I should have my own Dewey Decimal System, eyeing the books scattered throughout my home.
Books have held different meanings for me over the years. In high school and college, reading was my escape from daily routines—an immersive experience that transported me to captivating new worlds. I gravitated toward novels, historical fiction, Shakespeare, and Greek mythology.
When I became an elementary school teacher, my focus shifted. I fell in love with children’s literature—not only because of its charm and entertainment value, but because it became an indispensable teaching tool. I began most lessons with a story to capture my students’ attention and spark curiosity about the subject at hand—whether it was math, history, or science.
As I began my journey into yoga—through practice, teaching, history, philosophy, or simply svadhyaya (self-study)—books took on yet another dimension of importance. They deepened my understanding of yoga’s roots and helped guide me toward personal discovery and inward reflection. These days, I always have a yoga book with me. I never leave home without at least one in my bag because you never know when you might need a moment of reflection, insight, or inspiration. If you attend one of my classes, you’ll likely notice books spread across the floor, ready to offer that perfect nugget of contemplation that feels most resonant in the moment.
It’s through this personal journey with books that I’ve come to appreciate how powerful they can be in guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves. That’s why, when Yoga Off East moved to its new location and we created a retail space featuring some of our favorite yoga items, I was especially excited about curating a thoughtful collection of books. Each title we carry has been carefully chosen and often ties directly into the practice and study of yoga.
One book, however, has particularly captured my heart—and it’s not technically a “yoga” book. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin is a brilliant surprise that beautifully connects creativity with the natural flow of life.
If you’re not familiar with Rick Rubin, he’s one of the most influential music producers of our time. In 2007, MTV named him “the most important producer of the last 20 years,” and that same year, he was included on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The Creative Act was published in 2023, and although Rubin set out to write a book about making great art, he explains, “Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.” That’s the true magic of this book—it gently reminds us that we are all artists flowing through the journey of life.
In the opening chapter, “Everyone Is a Creator,” Rubin writes, “Regardless of whether or not we’re formally making art, we are all living as artists. We perceive, filter, and collect data, then curate an experience for ourselves and others based on this information set. Whether we do this consciously or unconsciously, by the mere fact of being alive, we are active participants in the ongoing process of creation.”
As you move through the book’s 78 short chapters, it becomes clear that, for Rubin, artistry is not limited to music or painting—it’s a way of being in the world. He encourages us to look deeply within, find our truth, release attachments, set clear intentions, and allow space and time for reflection as you set forth creating a path that is yours and yours alone. Through this process, he says, “the work will reveal itself as you go.”
As yogis, we grow to understand that the path of life is ultimately a return to the true self. The Creative Act echoes this beautifully. It’s a quiet, profound reminder that both you and your life are ever-evolving acts of creation.
If you share our love of books at YOE, you may be interested in a special upcoming offer. On September 28th, Shauna Willets will be hosting a Sunday Pop-Up class, Pose & Prose, inspired by the book, A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield. While reading the book beforehand isn’t required, it’s encouraged as it will serve as a meaningful guide during the session. This class will include gentle movement, meditation, and time for reflective discussion around the book’s themes. Register HERE for the class. Perhaps this could be the beginning of using books as a pathway to deepen your practice—both within yourself and in the world around you.