Breathing and Making Changes

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The Creative Present

Joshua Townshend

38 episodes

1 week ago

Welcome to The Creative Present. This show is about expanding your creative self-expression. And, at the same time getting your projects done. JoshuaTownshend.com We start the work by being present. Present to yourself, your process, your current creative project. The first step is always to be present, so you can do the most potent and impactful work. To do this you will want to deepen the following; yourself, your senses, your inner space, your thoughts, your feelings, and your impeccable intention. All while being present to your own creative impulse in the here and now. Working with customized techniques to help your creative development and process. You have so many skill sets that were born with and talents that are innate to you. We need to capitalize on these traits first. After that, then you can stretch yourselves as a creative. Develop more layers and facets to your work, your projects, and yourself. On a project level, the main work is about the story, because the story is always at the heart of what we do. Awareness, sense, and sensibility development is foundational. Getting in touch with who you are and where you're going is key if you wish to consciously create. These aspects of the creative process tend to be cast aside while working on projects. While side-stepping these phases can be alluring in the short-term, it will wind up costing you more in the long term. What you are working on here is a merging of the states of awareness as a creative. Along with the proper tools and techniques for the project that you're working on. This work amalgamates towards one cohesive end. Helping you to complete your projects. Then, get that project out into the world while maintaining your creative development. We all need to break old habits that are not in our best interest, creatively speaking. These old paradigms include; not completing, not starting, getting stuck halfway through, not putting our projects and ourselves out into the world. We all have a propensity towards at least one of these dynamics. We want to cultivate a new habit. This cycle of creation we are about to talk about has been around for millennia. It is a cycle that's based on the natural world, which has three distinct phases: Create, Release, Relax. We create something, we release it into the world, then relax. This cycle is in the natural world. You can see it everywhere. In the microcosm, we do it every single day, every moment of our lives, it is - breathing. When you breathe, there are the same three phases. You create a breath, you release the breath, and then you have a little moment of relaxation. Then, the next cycle repeats itself. With this kind of natural process, there is no time, there's timing, there's no force, there is a state of being. Some of the practical tools and tips are only there to serve you to get you through the next phase of development. The state of awareness and deepening your creativity is a continual development phase. There are no know limits. When deep in your creative process, you can go beyond what you are working on. You will have the ability to delve deep into your consciousness and experience the creative self in a new way. We are always working on both priorities at the same time. Consciously creating the foundational sense and sensibilities as creatives. And at the same time - getting projects completed and out into the world. They might appear to be the classic pair of opposites pulling against each other. From another perspective, they are complementary. Both aspects are asking for expansion and contraction at different times. To birth a baby you will need to have both expansion and contraction. To birth your new creative self, the pair of these opposites is essential. Key Words: alchemy, conscious creation, creative writing, screenplays, story, character development, acting, performing

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Breathing and Making Changes | EP. 032

The Creative Present

4 minutes 54 seconds

1 year ago

Breathing and Making Changes | EP. 032

The Power of One-Minute Breathing: A Practice for Creatives

Every morning, I begin with a simple yet profound practice that grounds me for the day: one-minute breathing. This technique is precisely what it sounds like—slowing the breath down to one complete breath cycle per minute. It's a practice of intentional breathing that goes like this: a 20-second inhale, a 20-second suspension, and a 20-second exhale.

In that minute lies so much potential. It's a space where everything quiets down and slows down, allowing me to connect deeper with myself and the creative process. I highly recommend developing some form of morning breathwork—whether it's this practice or another that resonates with you. If this one intrigues you, reach out, and I'll gladly share more details.

The Benefits of Long, Slow, Deep Breathing

When you breathe long, slow, and deep—without counting or measuring your breaths—something transformative happens. Your mind quiets, your body relaxes, and your awareness sharpens.

This kind of breathing creates space for stillness. It invites a sense of ease that can otherwise be elusive in our fast-paced, goal-oriented world. And when you add intentional timing to your breath—like 10-second or even 20-second cycles—you may notice resistance creep in.Resistance often shows up in subtle ways. It could be a tone indicating it's time to switch your breath pattern. If you perceive that tone as something external telling you what to do, you might find yourself resisting—feeling like it's an interruption, a restriction, or a demand. And this resistance is not just in the breathwork—it mirrors a deeper pattern in life and creativity.

Change and Resistance in Creative Practice

As artists and creatives, we are no strangers to change. In fact, adapting to change quickly and fluidly is key to staying inspired and keeping our projects alive. Yet change often carries an emotional charge. When asked to shift direction—whether in life, breathwork, or a creative project—there's a natural pull to resist.

So, how do we navigate that resistance?

It starts with perspective. If you feel that the tone, the bell, or even external feedback is telling you what to do—restricting or forcing you to breathe or create in a way that doesn't feel right—resistance builds. It can manifest as frustration, disinterest, or even resentment. But everything changes if you can reframe that tone or signal as a guide, a reminder, or an ally there to support you.

And here's the most important part: this isn't just a mental shift. It's something you need to feel. You can't merely think the tone is supportive if, deep down, you feel it's a nuisance or a constraint. The shift has to be authentic. Your relationship tothe process transforms when you truly feel supported by the breath cycle, a bell, or feedback on your creative work.

A Shift in Perspective: From Resistance to Flow

Everything opens up when you start to see those signals—whether from your breath practice or your creative projects—as helpers rather than obstacles. The world around you begins to change. Or, more accurately, your perception of the world changes. And as creatives, that change in perception is everything.

We can resist the tools and structures meant to guide us or lean into them, letting them help us grow. The key is to feel that support and trust the process. When you shift your perspective and open up to the possibility that these external guides are there to assist, not restrict, you'll find a new sense of flow—both in your breathwork and in your creative life.

Embracing Awareness and Presence

Thank you for being open to these ideas about breathwork, change, and resistance. As creatives, artists, and storytellers, we are constantly in a state of evolution. Our task is to become more aware, present, and conscious in our process. Something as simple as breathing can unlock more profound levels of creativity and self-awareness.

I invite you to join me on this journey—to explore your breath, resistance, and creative flow. Together, we can expand into a more present and conscious state of being.

Let's continue showing up fully, embracing change, and creating from a place of authenticity and presence.

—Joshua Townshend

The Creative Present