The sportive creativity of artistic sports

Move the Body, Heal the Mind, p 149

In artistic sports (figure skating, gymnastics, synchronized swimming), the athlete memorizes a series of predefines steps. Although coming up with these steps may be creative, the training itself is prescribed, predictable, and planned. As the athlete physically trains, her brain trains too. But with these sports, her brain is flexing its inhibitory control the most. And because of this, she ends up becoming less mentally flexible.

The most creative sports? Net and combat sports (volleyball, fencing, etc.)
🌿 Sports for developing creativity

Exercises for creativity

From Jennifer Heisz’s work:

  • Walking for about 10 minutes at a self-selected pace
  • Performing hatha yoga for 20 mintues
  • Jogging, swimming, biking, or stair climbing for 30 minutes