During this 3 days workshop, we explored the use of natural and recycled materials to create a mixed-media artwork.
We took the time to reflect and express concerns about the protection of our environment.
ART - MINDFULNESS - COMMUNICATION
In a way or another we leave different kind of prints along our lifes.
Hands representations and prints have been one of the oldest ways of art expression, being the hands prints on rocks maybe the earliest samples of art, dating of around 200,000. Even if print making has evolved with time and has been present in all cultures and times, today we still enjoy the simple way to represent and reproduce images coming from our hands, our feet or other parts of our bodies.
Here kids enjoy outlining, drawing, decorating hands and feet; making hands and foot prints at same time we play, we laugh, we explore materials and techniques. But also we focus our mind, we breath with awareness so our body can keep still allowing us to make beautiful prints full of colour and joy.
A tricky Tree pose. Here is not only a mater of improving balance and toning the legs but about breathing with awareness son our body keep steady, our foot stay on place, we count to 10 and the print is done!
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Mindfulness sessions for kids and teens.
Aims to:
- Develop self awareness, self care.
- Promote wellbeing.
- Help to manage and reduce stress and anxiety.
- Create mindfulness practices to use throughout the school and homework time.
- Learn healthy habits.
- Improve communication.
- Deepen relationships with relatives and classmates.
The sessions can include:
Games.
Chanting.
Stretching and exercising.
Relaxation.
Art and Crafts.
Journaling.
Breathing exercises.
Focusing the mind.
Group and One to One Sessions Available
I wanted to share a little, beautiful and meaningful experience I had with J's mum few days ago by phone.
J is 5 years old and has been for almost one year in our Art & Mindfulness class.
Mum: Tell you something very encouraging. On J’s first day of school, once he woke up we asked him getting himself ready, guess what he did?
Me: What ????
Mum: He did some mindfulness breathing exercises, he said because he is a little bit nervous
And yes, this is really encouraging … thanks J and thanks mum for sharing !!!
As parents and teachers we use to ask kids to do a quantity of tasks that sometimes they are not able to do in our “adult rhythm”. Also it happens the kids don't have a little time for themselves within one activity and another one.
Naturally kids move. Working outdoor or on the floor – under a framework, allow certain freedom to move. Mobility that kids generally don't have at school.
Move, stretch and make pauses are needed for a better concentration and better efficacy at school/work. That's why we do small breaks (sometimes just one or two minutes) during our art-mindfulness class. During those breaks we can do some mindful breathing, stretching or a quick physical pose that allow us to calm down, to relax or just to focus our minds ...And it happens to focus our minds just listening the birds, feeling the air on the skin ... just so calming !
When we move our body, we can relax our minds … !
Just try it ! i
In previous classes we have been building towers with different objects, the highest the best. We use one hand or the other, individually or in groups. This with the aim of :
gaining on concentration,
but also:
practicing breathing to control the body actions,
encouraging solidarity and teamwork
encouraging harmony and friendship.
