Hey it’s okay, WE get it. Being an actor is tough. Truly. Not only do you require a brain like a business mogul, tonnes of energy and capacity for auditions, self-tapes, meetings, wardrobe-fittings, and actual shoots but you have to be able to accept the big R- rejection. Then dealing with Aunty Linda who consistently calls you a movie star when introducing you to ANY-one and having to tell complete strangers that NO, you probably won’t recognise you from anything unless you’re into Insurance commercials.
Disdain aside, the privilege of bringing another artist’s words to life, realizing a vision and representing a human life is pretty magical, some may even say spiritual.
It takes a lot of energy to function as a working actor and most who have chosen this diabolically uncertain path are holding down part-time, even full-time jobs to supplement their chosen artistic life-style. But this isn’t about how hard it is, cause you already know that- you wouldn’t be seeking answers in intriguingly titled articles otherwise. This is about how Yoga and Acting are like symbiosis and embracing your practice will change the way you view your artistry.
1. In assessing the obvious physical and mental benefits of yoga we must not forget the philosophical teachings imparted from this ancient practice. Yeah, it’s true there really is some quite interesting back-stories to go along with this spiritual sweat session. The Yogis tend to be able to surmise all our worldly suffering in neat lists and groups which makes it super handy to sort your shit out. Let’s chat about the Kleshes which the Yogis call causes of our suffering. Knowing why and how we suffer helps us understand ourselves and in turn understand others (directors, the foreign being and characters!) and really dynamite our acting. There are five Kleshes and these afflictions distort our mind and our perceptions affecting how we think, act and feel. 
Asmita ( I am-ness) is the identification of ourselves with our ego. This word gets thrown around a lot in the acting industry. An image we create that we believe is us but is not our true selves at the core.
Raga (attachment) this one can be killer for those who are on an artist’s wage. Attachment to money, cars, material things and fame can destroy our soul and make our desire endless.
Dvesha (repulsion) is the opposite of Raga, avoidance of experience for fear of it causing us pain. Ever turned down that meeting/ audition/ opportunity because it’s ‘probably not worth it’. That’s fear talking right there my friend.
Abhinivesha(Will-to-Live) This is the deepest and most universal Klesha and though it seems the most positive, what it’s really spelling out is fear of death. Making decisions based on fear of dying really makes for a cushiony life sans adventures which is not exactly gold life-experience for the active actor.
2. If you’re not convinced that yoga is synonymous in fueling your growth as an actor, perhaps some solid evidence from one of the greats, Stanislavsky will twist your arm. Discovering yogic texts he began to incorporate the concepts of prana ( life-force) which is a sense of universal energy entering the body through the breath. He then went on to create methods such as radiating and receiving energy- a way of enticing emotion from within through the breath in yoga.
3. Acting and Yoga are both Psycho-Physical experiences relating to the inner world and outer physicality, which in lamens terms really means using your nogan and your rig. Developing your own psychophysical awareness allows parts of your body, mind and voice to become freer. Ever wondered why you have that slight stutter, but only when surrounded by people you view are in power? Or how your body instantly tenses as you walk through that one creepy laneway on your route home? It’s part of our conditioning. Human behavior is a learned experience, which is great news, because you can un-learn anything. Yoga helps us to address our belief systems that have been established since child-hood and beyond and ask why we react a certain way, talk to ourselves a certain way or treat others a certain way. This is cool stuff for acting because in order to play a plethora of people we need to know ourselves inside out and why we do the things we do.
4. Let’s point out the obvious here- in order to be generally awesome, do our own stunts, show up to a million auditions or do 8 shows a week we have to be in peak physical condition. A big misconception is that yoga is just stretching with a nap stitched onto the end. Well if you haven’t noticed, some of the most ripped bods getting around are inhabited by Yogis and that’s because you’re using your own body weight to get gainz. It’s a balanced work-out of flexibility, strength and gracefulness not to mention the health benefits for the mind. No, actually- let’s mention it. You are killing two tofus with one stone by working your mental health with a moving meditation and getting a work out while you’re at it. For a busy actor that’s the jackpot.
5. “In the Moment”. Three magical words coined together to spell out something bleeding obvious and yet simultaneously mysterious. I mean where else can you be other than in the moment if you’re a breathing, living entity? Right? Oh, so many places friend, so many places. Yoga teaches you to stay with you and not drift off into the ether of “ why hasn’t my agent responded to that email?”, “ If the audition was last week, surely they’ve cast by now”, “how come he/ she is getting all the great gigs?”
It is a moving meditation demanding you focus on your breath and what is happening right now in your body. The epitome of in the moment. The term so many iconic actors speak of experiencing when they’ve created magic or emulated a feeling so tangible it could be touched. The more you move with breath and focus on what’s happening right. This. Minute. The more your work will sing with spontaneity, dance with divine impulse and embody actual human emotion.
Yoga doesn’t have to be for new mums, insta-babes or hippies, nor is acting just for the young and lost and full of feeling. There are many aspects of this whole thing we call yoga, from breath-work, meditation, philosophy to movement (asanas). It’s been around for over 5, 000 years, it ‘aint going anywhere. So when you do decide it’s time you, your acting career and your life could do with the nurturing it deserves, find a local studio or do some research of your own. You might just find it was the missing link to you work you were seeking.
Namaste Actorino’s
Kristy is an actress, presenter, comedienne and yoga teacher based in Sydney and always up for a chinwag about any of these aforementioned topics. @kristyhocking @_earth_empathy @newdawnpoweryoga
Leap, a short film written by Kristy Hocking and directed by Tropfest finalist director and actress Izzy Stevens has recently won ‘Best Experimental Film’ at Redline International Film Festival.
