The healing power of poetry and storytelling for adults
When we think of storytelling, images of children curled under blankets with a beloved adult reading aloud often come to mind. But poetry and storytelling aren’t just for bedtime; they’re also profound, restorative practices for adults. They connect us, soothe us and can help us reframe painful experiences.
I’ve seen and felt firsthand how storytelling and poetry reading can heal, teach and transform. My own journey with storytelling and poetry began during my yin yoga teacher training, and it’s now become a fundamental part of how I teach.
My grandfather and the power of storytime
I have very fond memories of my grandfather and his stories. He rarely read from books, but would recite tales that he’d spun from his own imagination. There was something magical about sitting with him, all safe and cosy, hearing his stories.
When we were out, we would sit on a bench in the high street and he would create funny stories about the passers by! These were happy times, which I’d forgotten about until my yin yoga teacher training with Biff Mithoeffer.
Biff and the poetry that changed my life
Biff also recited poetry and stories from memory, rather than from books. My first experience with Biff was at a yoga conference in Cologne. I’d been told on my first yoga training that he’s one of the best yin yoga teachers and to seek him out if we ever got the chance. Well, here was my chance!
The room was dimly lit and he sat on a low stage. You could feel his calming presence as you entered the silent room. He spoke so softly and we moved ourselves slowly into the first position, sleeping swan.
My head was down when I heard him speak the first line of Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese, “You do not have to be good”. That moment hit me so deeply; the words touched a place in my soul and something shifted within me. It felt as though he was speaking directly to me as I’d spent years trying to be good or better, seeking self-worth. The whole experience blew my mind and in that session I decided I would take one of his training courses.
Healing childhood memories
It took a while, but eventually, two years later I travelled to Greece to attend my first yin yoga training. During the training, Biff would chat about his granddaughter who he clearly adored. On the third day, we were in sleeping swan again and he repeated those exact same words.
In that moment, I suddenly became aware of a flood of memories from childhood – sitting safely with my grandfather, who would make up stories just for me, telling tales whilst I felt loved and safe.
In that instant, I experienced another profound shift. Instead of only seeing my past as traumatic, I was transported back to some joyful moments with my grandfather. It was such a deeply healing moment and I found myself reframing part of my story to one that was more uplifting and hopeful.
The beginning of my teaching journey
That powerful experience was what motivated me to become a yin yoga teacher, to share the gift that Biff had shared with me. As we finished the session, I messaged the owner of the yoga studio back home that I attended as a student – who’d been asking me to teach for years but I’d resisted. I’d already trained as a teacher but purely to deepen my knowledge of yoga. “You can put me on the timetable to teach Yin” – that was the beginning of my journey as a yoga teacher.
When I returned home, I immediately started teaching at my studio, eager to help others access that same sense of calm, connection and self-compassion that I’d experienced under Biff’s guidance.
As a teacher, I love to integrate storytelling, poetry, philosophy and inspiring readings into my classes. Words are a bridge to emotional healing, and I love to share this gift with others.
Storytelling + Yin = Powerful healing practice
Listening to stories and poems whilst practising yin is one of the most powerful practices for healing. Stories and poetry can create emotional safety and belonging. When someone tells a story or shares a poem aloud, they’re offering more than entertainment. Listening to a story as an adult can evoke a childhood sense of safety: cosy, warm and held. For many adults, reading poetry or listening to a story awakens memories of being cared for and nurtured with love.
Yin yoga can be a helpful tool for regulating trauma response by promoting relaxation and mindfulness. The slow, gentle movements and long-held poses characteristic of Yin yoga can help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can counteract the ‘fight or flight’ response often associated with trauma. You can read more about this in my article How to regulate trauma response with Yin yoga.
Storytelling and poetry as medicine
Both storytelling and poetry reading serve as powerful medicine. They allow us to reframe trauma and normalise complex emotions. Listening to poetry and stories in adult life may help with psychological and social wellbeing, and healing.
My story underscores a fundamental truth: stories and poetry are powerful tools for emotional resilience and self-understanding. For many adults, childhood wounds or life challenges have built barriers to feeling safe, worthy or loved. Words can dissolve those barriers, offering reassurance, new perspectives and a sense of belonging.
Listening to stories and poetry strengthens us in many ways:
- Emotional regulation: Words can soothe and help to process difficult feelings, anchoring us when life feels overwhelming.
- Memory and reframing: Well-chosen stories and poems help reframe past experiences, turning pain into resilience and hope.
- Connection and belonging: Shared stories foster trust, understanding and community, reminding us we’re not alone.
- Calm and presence: The rhythm and cadence of poetry and storytelling induce relaxation and mindfulness.
- Growth and inspiration: Inspiring quotes, stories and poems motivate us to embrace change and craft new narratives.
Poetry and storytelling reconnect us to a deep, human need
Since the earliest human societies, poetry and storytelling were vital ways to pass on knowledge, identity and values. In our modern, task-driven world, filled with emails, schedules and obligations, embracing poetry and storytelling interrupts the grind by inviting us into a different tempo – one of presence and attention.
Listening to a poem or story asks us to slow down and feel emotions without immediate resolution. This pause is rare and precious in adult life.
The power of personal connection and modern resources
While apps like Calm offer storytelling sessions narrated by famous actors, and Audible provides a treasure trove of stories and books you can listen to anywhere, these are just the beginning. The experience of physically being in the presence of someone sharing a story or reciting poetry has a unique, transformative power. The energy, intention and connection with a live storyteller or guide create a deeper resonance that cannot be replicated digitally.
For example, I recently spoke with someone about Yoga nidra, a guided meditative practice. She shared that she prefers listening to me personally rather than a random recording on YouTube. That sense of familiarity, trust and personal connection makes the practice far more effective. When we know the voice guiding us, when we sense the presence of a person we trust, the experience becomes deeper, safer and more powerful. This illustrates that the human element – presence, voice and connection – amplifies the healing effect of words and stories.
Incorporating stories and poems into your daily life
Whether through live storytelling, poetry or personal reflection, these practices are accessible ways to nurture your wellbeing:
- Attend local story circles, poetry readings or community gatherings.
- Create a cozy, mindful space for listening – turn off devices, light candles and indulge in a poem or story.
- Invite loved ones or elders to share stories or favorite poems. These moments of sharing deepen bonds and create shared memories.
- Use storytelling and poetry as part of your yoga, meditation or daily routines.
- Experiment with telling your own stories or writing poetry – your narrative is your most powerful healing tool.
The magic of Christmas storytelling
Each December, I host a special Christmas Candlelit Retreat, where storytelling and poetry reading around a roaring open fire create a warm, magical atmosphere. The room is bathed in the soft glow of the lights on the Christmas tree and the flickering candle light. Attendees settle in with blankets, the fire is lit and the space is hushed with anticipation of the latest story to be read. It’s a magical and hypnotic experience, not only for the guests but for myself as the storyteller.
These moments of collective storytelling become more than just entertainment; they transform into sacred rituals of remembrance, healing and joy. They remind us of the importance of slowing down, of creating space for meaningful connection, and of appreciating the warmth that stories and poetry can bring during the festive season.
These storytelling moments, along with poetic reflections, are a special highlight of our Christmas Events.
Embrace the power of words
Storytelling and poetry are timeless gifts; tools that heal wounds, ignite hope and deepen our sense of connection. Whether through hearing a story told live, reciting poetry aloud or sharing personal narratives with loved ones, these practices bring us back to ourselves and each other. They remind us that words are powerful, capable of transforming pain into resilience.
If you haven’t yet experienced the magic of storytelling or the comfort of poetry, why not attend a local story circle, listen to a loved one share their tales or simply read a poem that resonates. But nothing replaces the connection we feel when we share stories face-to-face.
Take a moment today to listen, share or reflect. Whether through a heartfelt story, a favourite poem or simply being present with someone who’s sharing theirs, you’re stepping into a powerful tradition of healing and connection. In my Yin yoga classes and on retreats, stories and poetry are woven into the practices, creating sacred spaces for reflection, warmth and transformation. Embrace the gift of words, let them guide you back to yourself and to each other. Because in the end, stories aren’t just meant to be told; they’re meant to be shared.
Medicine for the soul
The act of sitting quietly and listening to a story reconnects us with a human rhythm that nurtures safety, curiosity and healing. My grandfather’s stories were a source of great comfort to me and allowed me to reframe some challenging times. Biff’s teaching showed me how stories and poems can help to heal the wounds of our past. Storytelling really is medicine for the soul.
The life-changing poem
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
