"...mandalas have healing powers. The act of creating mandalas can serve as meditation for treating illness and movement towards enlightenment." [Fincher, 2000]
mandalas in nature
Photography
Light
Clay and acrylic paint
sometimes distractions are good!
Beads and fishing line
summer fun
Pencil, colored pencil, acrylic paint on paper
Summer dayDream
Acrylic paint on paper
Priorities
9/16/16
Pencil and crayon on paper
brain food
12/13/17
Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
mom
Crayon and marker on paper.
Tibetan mandalas
...are created with the intention of: 'inviting, containing, honoring, and integrating certain kinds of energy" into ones' life or family. (Fincher, 2000)
mandalas
Replicate the human body with an internal and an external, movement, energy and form: containment and freedom.
love shall set you free!
9/5/18
Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
To My twins
Colored pencil on paper burned in memory as a ritual for closure.
one
8/24/17
Pencil, acrylic paint on paper
wilder-rest
1/11/18
Acrylic paint and colored masking tape on colored paper.
life's treasure
3/8/18
Pencil, acrylic paint on paper
energy
Acrylic paint, wood piece, pencil on paper
boys group lb1- providing structure
Pencil and oil pastel on paper
looking through the trees
4/3/18
Acrylic paint, colored pencil on paper
Darkness
Clay and acrylic paint
indian summer
9/13/17
Pencil, acrylic paint on paper
frozen
1/23/19
Marker and acrylic paint on paper
Venture- Teambuilding
Markers, pastels, and crayons on paper
Staff development and teambuilding at a therapeutic school.
capacity of the circle
...to catch and focus your attention on one thing produces general relaxation in the body: your breath deepens, your heartbeat slows.
circular shapes
such as mandalas in art invoke the idea of energy, life and movement
balance
8/17/2017
Pencil, acrylic paint on paper
Boys group, BZ3
Human babies seek out circles (rounded edges and features of the face as well as circular nature of the breast(s)) for survival and nourishment from the caretaker.
rings
Colored pipe cleaners
loss
10/5/17
Pencil on paper
clarity
8/6/19
Acrylic paint and pencil on paper
the future is bright
8/10/17
Pencil and acrylic paint
boy's group lb2
Pencil and oil pastel on paper
Boy's group bz1
Acrylic paint on paper
bagel celebration
Model magic, pipe cleaners, beads
red eyes
5/9/18
Acrylic paint, pencil on paper
arrival
Acrylic paint and twine on canvas
boy's group bz2
Acrylic paint and pencil on paper
seth
7/19/17
Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
surrender
9/12/18
Pencil, acrylic paint on paper
mandalas communicate
8/6/19
"Creating mandalas reflects your inner experience in artwork so that you can then study, understand, and integrate the messages from the unconscious." (Fincher, 2000)
What was buried, shall not remain
1/29/20
Colored pencil and acrylic paint on paper
my heart
Clay and glitter
*Not entirelycircular but close
spring
3/20/19
Colored pencil and acrylic paint on paper
boys group, bz4
Acrylic paint on paper
mandalas invoke organic themes
Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
surrounded by roots
Acrylic paint on camvas
Smear your face
6/27/18
Colored pencil and acrylic paint on paper
Rainbow around the sun
Photograph
Circles have come to represent cycles of time, such as: the movement of the sun and the moon, seasons, or life-and-death.
feelings 2
Watercolor paint and pencil
Life Happens
Colored pencil and acrylic paint on paper
splotch
Pastel and crayon on colored paper
venture- teambuilding 2
Staff development and teambuilding at a therapeutic school.
kitchen
Pencil, crayon on paper
Morning escape
Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
Pinwheel
Gouche paint on illustration board.
Boys Group, LB2
Pencil, pastels on paper
-"from the first chaotic scribbles come the circle shape." (Finch)
blue Book
Acrylic paint, marker on paper
mind-body
"Meditation is a vital way to purify and quiet the mind, thus rejuvenating the body."
- Deepak Chopra
Serenity
10/26/17
Colored pencil and acrylic paint on paper
waterdrop
Colored pencil and watercolor paint on paper
chakra yoga & art class
Feb 2018
Markers and gel pens on paper
Boys group lb3- planting a seed
Pencil and oil pastels on paper
saying goodbye
Tissue-paper, pen on canvas board
managing demands (ofwork)
Modeling clay
feelings mandalas
Watercolor paint on paper
boys group bz3
Pencil and acrylic paint on paper
more
tools for mindfulness and meditation
meditation "rocks" -made of clay
Mountain, Fresh, Calm Water, Space... elements that we want to bring into our lives
recording the breath
Groupwork or individual becoming aware and present
mantras
what do you need to hear?
setting an intention
for your day, your session, your practice which you can take with you in all you do
between pushing and letting go-- and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the CREATIVE PROCESS, part of the open-ended exploration of your being." Joel Kramer
yoga and art therapy
* Experience-based
* Guided by intention
* Promotes self-awareness
* Encourages flow state
* Activates the limbic brain
* Reduces stress
* Encourages observation
rather than judgement
* Adaptive
* Facilitates change and healing
(paraphrased from K. Gibbons)
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
"One of the greatest signs that yoga is working is simply laughter"
(M.K. Chryssicas)
- that letting go/release and joy!
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
the body contains
our past emotions
healing work
creates space
for the release
of what we felt
long ago
Yung Pueblo
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
People who practice mindfulness, meditation and yoga are part of a community... there are those that you practice with and those who benefit similarly but you may never meet. The feeling of taking part in something that spans the globe and has existed for thousands of years, being respected and upheld by so many different cultures- unites us.
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
When I started doing yoga it was challenging! It took me about 6 months to feel like my body could ease into it and begin to fully enjoy the benefits. I have found it to be a very worthwhile investment: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
why Yoga in counseling
As I progressed in my yoga practice, I was amazed by how similar the intentions of yoga are to goals set in therapy. In many instances they are one in the same.
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
When nothing in the world seems to be going your way or to be within your 'control', return to your breath and your body. By doing so, you can shift your perspective and return renewed and ready to face challenges.
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
Yoga is a system of practices to relax the body and mind, purify the system, and remove energy blockages.
why Yoga in counseling
WHEN I PRACTICE YOGA I FEEL:
CONNECTED
CALM
CLEAR
EMPOWERED
why Yoga in counseling
"Yoga teaches you how to respond to situations with a calm coolness and helps you love being you. You might connect with the spirit inside you and be smarter about the choices you make."
(M.K. Chryssicas)
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
To focus your energy so intently and so lovingly on your physical being is one of the greatest forms of self-care.
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
Yoga is defined as:
-the art of achieving happiness
-union between body, mind and spirit
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
"Yoga teaches you how to breath fully through tough situations, which helps you stay focused and in control, and makes problems easier to handle."
(M.K. Chryssicas)
why Yoga and breathwork in counseling
"Why do we do the yoga pose? Just to recite it and repeat it back? There is a deeper connection to self when using movement and learning through movement." (WholeMe! Programs)