Introduction Theory Inspiration Creative writing exercises Stay grounded & motivated Share your text with us
introduction
Welcome to our online creative writing course, where we embark on an intimate exploration of release—a journey deeply rooted in the wisdom of the body. Here, we draw inspiration from the release technique in modern and contemporary dance, a practice that invites us to let go, surrender, and find new forms of expression. This course is an invitation to discover how the principles of physical release can ripple into our creative processes, transforming the way we approach writing.
Release technique in dance is more than a set of movements; it is a philosophy of unburdening. It invites dancers to shed unnecessary tension, to trust the architecture of their bodies, and to flow with gravity rather than resist it. By softening the edges of control and embracing vulnerability, dancers discover an ease and authenticity in their movements. Writing, too, can benefit from such a philosophy. Often, our creativity is constricted by invisible walls: the fear of imperfection, the weight of expectations, the rigidity of preconceived ideas. What if, like dancers, we could let go? What if we could unbind our minds, allowing our words to flow as naturally as a body surrendering to gravity?
Throughout this course, we will delve into the parallels between physical release and creative release. We will experiment with exercises that blend somatic awareness and writing prompts, using the body as a compass to guide us toward unguarded, honest expression. You will learn to listen—not just to the whispers of your mind but to the echoes of your body. What does the tension in your shoulders say about the stories you are holding back? What might happen if you exhale, unclench, and allow those stories to spill onto the page?
Releasing is not simply an act of letting go; it is also a practice of trust. Trusting that what emerges in the absence of control is valuable. Trusting that the messiness of creation holds its own kind of beauty. Trusting that the body—in its wisdom—knows how to lead us to places the mind cannot.
This journey is as much about unlearning as it is about learning. We will question the rigid structures that have shaped our notions of what writing "should" be. We will challenge the internalized critic that demands perfection before a word is even written. Together, we will explore what it means to write from a place of freedom—a place where our words are not forced but felt, not engineered but embodied.
As we begin, I invite you to approach this course with curiosity and compassion. Release is not an end goal but an ongoing process—one that requires patience, self-awareness, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Let this be a space where you can experiment, falter, and flourish. Let this be a space where your writing becomes not just an act of creation but an act of liberation.
Welcome to this shared exploration. Let’s release, together.
theory
To deepen our understanding of "release" and its relevance to both the body and writing, we can draw on psychological and physiological frameworks, particularly from the fields of somatics, neuroscience, and trauma studies. These disciplines provide a foundation for comprehending how tension and release function as integral mechanisms for both physical and emotional well-being, as well as creative expression. 1. The body-mind connection Psychologists and somatic practitioners have long emphasized the bidirectional relationship between the body and the mind. Wilhelm Reich, a psychoanalyst and pioneer of somatic psychology, proposed the concept of "body armor"—habitual patterns of muscular tension that form as a response to unresolved emotional stress or trauma. These tensions often become unconscious and embedded in the body, constraining not only movement but also emotional expression and creativity. Release, in this context, involves bringing awareness to these physical patterns and allowing them to soften, creating a space for previously held emotions or memories to surface and integrate. Practices such as dance, writing, and somatic therapies are powerful tools for accessing these deeper layers of the self.
2. The neuroscience of release From a neuroscientific perspective, the concept of release can be understood through the lens of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates the body's stress and relaxation responses. The ANS operates through two primary branches:
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), associated with the "fight or flight" response, activates tension and readiness for action.
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), often referred to as the "rest and digest" system, supports relaxation and restoration.
When we experience chronic stress or unresolved trauma, the SNS can dominate, leading to hyperarousal and a constant state of vigilance. Release techniques—whether physical, such as deep breathing and movement, or creative, such as freewriting—help activate the PNS, bringing the body into a state of balance. This shift allows for deeper access to the creative brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which governs imagination, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
3. The psychology of creativity and flow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow—a state of deep immersion and effortless action—is closely tied to the idea of release. In a flow state, individuals experience a merging of action and awareness, often accompanied by a sense of ease and loss of self-consciousness. Achieving flow requires releasing mental and emotional blocks, such as fear of failure or self-doubt, which are common inhibitors of creativity. This psychological release is facilitated by practices that quiet the inner critic, a construct often linked to early experiences of judgment or perfectionism. By engaging the body through movement or somatic awareness, we bypass the overactive analytical mind and enter a more intuitive, embodied state, where creativity can emerge more freely.
4. Trauma and the process of letting go The work of trauma expert Peter Levine emphasizes that unresolved trauma is stored in the body, often as frozen energy. His Somatic Experiencing model highlights the importance of gently "completing" cycles of tension and release to restore a sense of safety and vitality. Writing, like movement, can serve as a tool for this process, offering a structured yet open-ended way to process and release emotional residues held in the body. In trauma recovery, release does not mean re-experiencing or re-traumatizing oneself but rather creating a safe environment in which sensations and memories can unfold naturally, without judgment. Techniques such as journaling, freewriting, or embodied writing practices can support this gentle unbinding of held tension.
5. Practical application to writing
Embodied awareness: Bringing attention to physical sensations during the act of writing can enhance awareness of where tension is held and how it influences the flow of ideas.
Freewriting: A practice of continuous, uncensored writing can mimic the principles of somatic release, allowing mental "tension" to dissipate as words spill onto the page.
Rhythm and movement: Incorporating rhythmic physical movement, such as walking or swaying, before or during writing sessions can facilitate the release of physical tension and create a smoother mental flow.
inspirations
Release technique in dance
Ohad Naharin: "Decadance" (2000)
Release technique is a movement approach that originated in modern dance and has been further developed and adapted in contemporary dance. It focuses on letting go of muscular tension and allowing the body to move more freely and naturally.
In modern dance, release technique emerged as a response to the more rigid and codified techniques of ballet. Influential modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and José Limón began to explore movement that focused on releasing tension, particularly in the torso and limbs, to achieve a more organic and natural quality of motion. This approach allowed for greater emotional expression and connectivity between the dancer and the movement.
In contemporary dance, release technique has evolved and expanded, incorporating influences from various movement practices such as somatics, improvisation, and bodywork. Contemporary choreographers and teachers continue to explore and innovate within release technique, adapting it to suit the needs of individual dancers and choreographic concepts. For example Ohad Naharin's choreography, particularly known for his creation of Gaga movement language, emphasizes release and surrender in movement. His works, such as "Deca Dance" (2000) and pieces from the Batsheva Dance Company repertoire, showcase the fluidity and freedom associated with release technique.
Key principles of release technique include:
1. Grounding: Emphasizing the connection of the body to the floor, allowing for a sense of stability and support.
2. Effortless flow: Cultivating smooth transitions between movements, avoiding tension or resistance in the body.
3. Breath awareness: Integrating breath with movement to facilitate relaxation and release of muscular tension.
4. Initiation from the core: Initiating movement from the body's center, such as the pelvis or solar plexus, to encourage a sense of connectivity and integration.
5. Dynamic range: Exploring a wide range of dynamics, from subtle and gentle to powerful and expansive, while maintaining a sense of ease and fluidity.
creative exercise
PART 1 - Experimenting release In this exercise, we'll delve into the concept of release technique in dance as a metaphor for letting go and finding freedom in your writing. Take inspiration from the principles of release technique, such as grounding, effortless flow, breath awareness, initiation from the core, and dynamic range, to inform your creative process.
Step 1: Grounding Begin by grounding yourself in the present moment. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, allowing your body to relax and connect with the earth beneath you. Feel the support of the ground beneath your feet or seat, and imagine roots extending from your body, anchoring you firmly in place.
Step 2: Effortless flow As you begin to write, focus on cultivating a sense of effortless flow in your words. Let your thoughts and ideas flow freely onto the page without judgment or self-censorship. Allow the words to come naturally, like water flowing down a gentle stream, without force or resistance.
Step 3: Breath awareness Stay attuned to your breath as you write, using it as a guide to pace your thoughts and movements. Notice how your breath changes with each word, sentence, and paragraph you write. Allow the rhythm of your breath to inform the rhythm of your writing, creating a sense of harmony and balance.
Step 4: Initiation from the core Tap into the core of your being as you explore your innermost thoughts and emotions through writing. Allow your writing to originate from a place of authenticity and vulnerability, as you delve deep into your own experiences, memories, and imagination.
Step 5: Dynamic range Experiment with the dynamic range of your writing, exploring a variety of tones, styles, and perspectives. Play with contrasts between light and shadow, tension and release, silence and sound. Allow your writing to ebb and flow like a piece of music, building to crescendos and moments of quiet introspection.
Step 6: Reflect and revise After completing your writing exercise, take some time to reflect on your work. Notice any patterns, themes, or insights that emerge from your writing process. Revise and refine your writing as needed, trusting your instincts and intuition to guide you.
PART 2 - Translating anxiety and release Write a text that embodies the emotional journey from tension to release. Your task is to explore how the structure, rhythm, and form of your writing can evoke these states—not just through what you say but how you say it.
Creative toolbox:
Rhythm & flow: How can the rhythm of your sentences mirror emotional states? What happens when sentences become erratic, fragmented, or flowing? How can pacing guide your reader’s experience?
Density & space: How might the density of words on the page evoke feelings of tightness or freedom? Where does tension lie in a crowded text, and where does release emerge in silence or space?
Language & sound: What kind of words or sounds can build unease or create calm? How do the sounds of your chosen words influence the mood they convey?
Imagery & sensation: How can you evoke physical sensations of anxiety or relief through imagery? What visual or sensory contrasts might communicate these shifts?
Structure & form: What happens when the shape of your text—its layout or progression—mirrors the emotional arc? How can repetition, interruption, or sudden shifts affect the emotional experience?
Emotion & ambiguity: How much tension do you want your reader to carry? At what point do you allow release, and is it complete, partial, or open-ended?
Questions for reflection:
How do you build tension and guide your reader through it without explicitly naming the emotion?
What tools can you use to create a visceral experience of anxiety, and how do you ease or resolve it?
How can your text embody tension and release in a way that feels organic and surprising to both you and the reader?
Challenge: Play with contrasts. Experiment. See what emerges when you let form, rhythm, and language carry the emotional weight of your piece.
stay grounded and motivated!
"As we come to the end of our creative writing journey focused on the concept of release, I want to leave you with a final thought of motivation and encouragement. Throughout this course, we have explored the transformative power of letting go—letting go of preconceived notions, self-doubt, and inner critique. Instead, we've embraced the freedom to tap into our creative flow and explore new avenues of self-expression.
As writers, it's easy to get caught up in our own minds, to second-guess ourselves, and to worry about what others may think. But true creativity blossoms when we release these constraints and allow ourselves to write from a place of authenticity and honesty. So, I encourage you to continue practicing the art of release in your writing journey.
Remember that creativity is a journey, not a destination. It's about embracing the process, trusting yourself, and allowing your unique voice to shine through. So, keep letting go, keep exploring, and keep writing with passion and purpose. Your creativity knows no bounds when you set it free.
Thank you for embarking on this journey with me. I look forward to seeing where your writing takes you next. Keep releasing, keep creating, and never stop writing from the heart. Until next time, happy writing!"
—Anna Ádám Founder of the School of Disobedience