Mindful Drawing Exercise

Slow down, with a simple intro to breathing deeply and mindfully, beginning to map the boundaries of the body. In this introduction to a body mapping practice, we can begin to tune in to what is present in our organism, and what wants to be heard, illuminated, and loved.

Transcript

Welcome, Welcome to this mindful drawing practice. Thank you for choosing to journey inward with me. I'd like to invite you now to close your eyes or soften your gaze. Feeling your feet on the floor, Your sit bones in a chair, The length of your legs if you're standing. Deepening your breath. Feeling your arms hanging loosely by your sides. Pencil or pen, Its contours, Its length. And either with your eyes closed or your gaze soft. Cultivating the feeling of this tool extension of your being. Its qualities are your qualities. Its weight is your weight. The ribs spreading out and opening up. And to lift the sternum and collarbone, The gentle poise. Lifting your hand to the paper on the exhale, Circle. Again, You may wish to compose this drawing with eyes closed or a soft gaze. Once the circle is complete, Lifting the pen again. And the bottom quadrant of the circle. Placing the pen down on an exhale. And tracing the outline of the shoulder to draw a space that might represent the left arm. And this can be as detailed or as simple as you need it to be today. Moving back up the shape of that left arm and down to continue. And the space for a torso, Slowly drafting the boundaries, The midsection of your form now. And right foot and right side of the paper. As fluid as your breath through the hip and torso and down the right side. Again, Space, Right arm to finish the form close to the place you began. Inhale, Lifting the pen away from the paper. And exhaling, Gently blinking your eyes open if they were closed. Looking at this image before you, Noticing what you can about this form. Doing your best to relinquish judgment or preference concerning its boundaries. What do you see? Are some of the spaces for the appendages larger? Blending counterparts? Where do the lines get thicker? Harder? Are they thinner? Where do they intersect? Taking a few moments to make any notes about this composition. To write next to your drawing or nearby. Any defining features, Any stories this form might be telling you. If it suits you, You may wish to continue this exercise for as long as you like. Or you can take a moment and thank materials in this journey with you. Thank yourself for creating this time to tune in to your unique experience. Thank you for practicing with me today. Many blessings on your journey.