Lying down is not about slacking off. It’s an effective way to recentre the body and open the mind to new ideas. Image: Shutterstock.
In the art world, Salvador DalĂ was famous for it. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were also ardent devotees. Closer to home, Australian playwright Hannie Rayson has a similar way of getting through her creative blocks.
It may appear to be a tightly kept secret, but it requires no special training or expert knowledge. Rather, it’s a technique that can be undertaken by anyone in need of a creative boost who has a few minutes up their sleeve and a hard, flat surface within reach.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).