Do you feel stuck in your thinking? Are you experiencing burnout? Want to relax but watching movies isn’t really meeting your needs? Do you long to be creative but you’re too tired and drained of energy? Do other things just keep getting in the way and you feel like there is no hope?
Joining a group can help provide the support for the momentum needed to make a change. We offer workshops for art and meditation. Making art after meditation opens ourselves up for fuller and freer expression. We offer many different types of art and meditation workshops at our Center. Check out www.amlsacademy.com/courses-registration for our current schedule.
Like meditation, creating art increases self awareness and promotes acceptance of feelings and thoughts without judgement. It relaxes the body and mind. In meditation, there is nothing in particular to do other than get still and practice accepting thoughts and releasing them rather than trying to push them away or ignore them. In this way one develops the observer self which is key to developing self awareness. When making art in this intuitive and meditative way one also practices not “doing” anything other than responding to thoughts, emotions, and sensory input using shape, color, and line. It is essentially a form of play that appeals to the inner child. Like meditation it creates a pathway to the heart and has the power to change stuck patterns of thinking as it puts the body, mind, and spirit at ease, bringing the attention to the present moment and giving the internal sensations a voice.
Do feelings of inadequacy or intimidation come up when you think about making art? Art usually brings that up right away for people. It can create fear and procrastination that keeps people away from the exceptional spiritual, physical, and cognitive development art can bring to your life. It takes practice and support. We have a beautiful space for you to come and create.
Loving your art not based on the expectations you have or that you believe others have takes practice that results in enjoying this beautiful life giving process. It also goes hand in hand with loving yourself and practicing self compassion.
Art has quality when it is filled with your energy and voice. Getting through layers of protection will lead to authenticity in yourself and your art. The more you practice openness and flexibility, your expressions will develop into your unique voice. With an emphasis on the process the quality of your art will increase and so will your self awareness, relaxation, flexibility, and acceptance of feelings and thoughts. Think of the total freedom of a child making art. Maybe that was you. Nurturing that child is a beautiful result of art making that will show itself in your perspectives, yourself, your relationships, and your responsibilities in your life.
Rachael Maly, MAAT, LPC, ATR
Director of Art & Co Director Critical Skills Development
Art, Movement, & Life Skills Academy League City, Texas www.amlsacademy.com