Somatic mindfulness: the feeling of art
Video by Rob VanAlkemade for Medicinal Media.
According to the Johns Hopkins Arts + Mind Lab, art programs and activities have been linked to decreases in anxiety and depression and increases in social connectedness, self-efficacy, physiological functioning, and more. In this somatic mindfulness exercise by Wednesday, we’re guided to participate in drawing both creatively and somatically. Tune into the sensation and process of making; tune out of everything else.
Wednesday’s favorite media includes singing, dancing, acting, visual arts, and literature. She frequently starts new stories and wants to be better about finishing them. Wednesday's family does not have a TV, but they like to watch movies together. Some of Wednesday’s favorite films are Storks, Father of the Bride, and The Addams Family.
Get your pencils and paper ready, but first: be still.
Take a deep, slow breath.
Look around. What do you see? What do you hear?
Hello, tree. Hello, bird.
Let’s draw — not to make art,
but to feel ourselves making it.
Notice the texture of the paper, the colors.
Draw nothing, or, a favorite place? Animal? Or a dream?
Feel your arm, hand, fingers as you move with the pencil.
Now: draw with your eyes closed. Notice the difference.
Try long marks and short ones, sharp and soft.
Take a deep breath, and open your eyes.
Wednesday centering herself before starting to draw
A drawing of Wednesday’s favorite place
Wednesday suggests you might try drawing a favorite place, animal, dream… or nothing.
Wednesday asks us to draw in this somatic exercise “not to make art, but to feel ourselves making it.”
Breathing with the trees
In case you missed it: Our first video in this series is a grounding exercise by seven-year-old Rudy.
Five things
Our second video in this series is a grounding exercise hosted by seven-year-old Emi, who reminds us of how simple it can be to check in with our senses and be grateful for the world surrounding us.
Papillon
Our third video in this series is a meditative exercise hosted by seven-year-old Zoey from France. Zoey has us lightening our steps as we settle in and listen to the rhythm of life while thinking about the beautiful metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Walk in the woods
Our fourth video in this series is another nature appreciation somatic with Rudy.