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Art and Mindfulness Meditation

Art Workshop in Diss, South Norfolk
with Zangmo Alexander
Sunday February 29th 2010, 10am-4pm
Sunday April 18th 2010, 10am-4pm
SundaySeptember 26th 2010, 10am-4pm
£55.00 including materials and refreshments
Very small group - book now to ensure a place!
Everyone welcome - no meditation or art experience needed!


IN THIS ART AND MINDFULNESS MEDITATION DAY RETREAT we will combine simple mindfulness practices with creative activities drawing and painting in response to nature or from within in a supportive, informal atmosphere. The group will have no more than 6 participants, and is led by art teacher, and artist Zangmo Alexander, who has been meditating for many years. Previous art experience is not needed!

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS MEDITATION?
MINDFULNESS is the practice of learning to be in the here and now, present to and aware of what is happening with our five senses, thoughts and feelings in a gentle, accepting way.

Mindfulness derives from Buddhist meditation, and can be practised in a non-religious way with great benefit. The benefits as documented in university and medical research in the UK and USA include:

  • enabling stress reduction
  • self awareness
  • greater well being

BENEFITS OF COMBINING MINDFULNESS MEDITATION WITH ART
We learn to pay attention and be more aware and awake. This can help us let go of the 'baggage' we bring to doing art activities

We notice what is happening in the ever living present in and around ourselves - we feel more alive and connected

We discover how to express ourselves creatively in a way which feels authentic for us, rather than trying to create our idea of 'good' art

Mindful Art activities can nourish us on our journey of personal development, self discovery and self expression.

Student Responses to an Art and Meditation Retreat Day:

" Always feeling our breathing and being mindful of our emotions.... The 'wow' on unblocking my mind... it was still, marks and patterns were on the paper without the busy mind judging and criticising. How liberating, spacious and free!" L.S. Suffolk

"A wonderful, gentle support, a day of awareness, a very knowledgeable and kind teacher" L.C. Norfolk

 

Zangmo Alexander, the facilitator, is an art teacher, artist and nun who has been on the 8 week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Course with the Centre for Mindfulness Research at Bangor University as well as practising mindfulness for many years.

During her two year Masters Degree in Fine Art at Norwich School of Art and Design, she explored ways of integrating her own creative and mindfulness practices, and sees the process of art making as part of a spiritual path.

Enquiries and bookings: 01379 687360