Today, we are focusing on another of our Guiding Principles.
We believe that it is essential for the practitioner of Expressive Arts to be engaged in their own personal Expressive Arts practice.
We see this as a critical component of self-care, a necessary means to fully understand and benefit from the power of the expressive arts, and to know the territory in which you may be guiding others.
We also recognize that it is not always easy.
If you struggle with how to find the time, what to focus on, or how to structure your practice, read on, and watch the video. We are here to support you.
What is a personal expressive arts practice?
- A consistent practice that supports your well-being and self-care..
- Regular enagagement with the arts, as a means of of both personal exploration and self-reflection.
- More than one arts modality is recommended.
What are some examples?
- 5 minutes of spontaneous movement, followed by a quick visual image.
- quiet your mind, turn inward, focus on breath. Make a quick visual image.
- Find/discover/create a rhythm on a drum that seems to express how you are currently feeling. Repeat it. Do some spontaneous writing.
- Create a spontaneous visual image. Respond to it with your voice. Then write.
Choose something that will work for you. Get creative – the options are limitless. And be realistic about choosing something that you will follow through with in the context of your current life. Make it a priority. Schedule it in and write it in your planner. It can be daily, twice a week, or once a week. Commit, and also allow your practice to change and evolve. It doesn’t always have to be the same. Keep your materials and set-up simple. Make it portable, so that you can do it wherever you are.
Here is some advice from Creative Wisdom: Introductory Online Training in Expressive Arts.
Ask yourself:
- What has worked well for you so far?
- What has been more challenging?
- What might you like to try more of?
- Which modalities come most naturally for you?
- Which ones do you have resistance to or discomfort with?
- How might you benefit from including a little more of your least favorite modalities?
We encourage you to explore a variety of expressive arts processes and design a practice that works for you, refining and changing it over time to meet your needs. We recommend that your practice include more than one arts modality – visual art (any media), movement, writing, music, rhythm, voice.
Let us know how it’s going! Just comment below.
Here, Kathleen shares the new 30-day personal practice she is just beginning.
Here are some resources to support you:
What are some examples?
Choose something that will work for you. Get creative – the options are limitless. And be realistic about choosing something that you will follow through with in the context of your current life. Make it a priority. Schedule it in and write it in your planner. It can be daily, twice a week, or once a week. Commit, and also allow your practice to change and evolve. It doesn’t always have to be the same. Keep your materials and set-up simple. Make it portable, so that you can do it wherever you are.