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ART AND MINDFULNESS

 

Workshop in Diss, South Norfolk with Zangmo Alexander
Sunday September 20th 2009, 10am-3pm
£50.00 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 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?
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 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

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MANDALA WORKSHOP

Saturday 6th June 10.00-4.00pm
£50.00 including basic materials and refreshment

Mandala means 'centre' and 'periphery' in Sanskrit. Mandalas always have a central focal point from which elements of the image radiate. They are found in nature and in the art of all cultures - rose windows found in medieval cathedrals, Tibetan sandpainted and painted mandalas, Hindu Yantra diagrams, Navajo sand paintings, Islamic sacred geometry. 

The western psychologist Jung viewed mandalas as a symbol of the self, the soul, going to the center. They can also be used as a tool for contemplating some issue or wish in one's own life.

The process of mandala painting can
  • help calm the mind
  • be a centreing and joyful experience
  • help one get in touch with the inexpressible
  • help one get in touch with the universal
  • help in healing, bringing a sense of wholeness
  • be a fulfilling way of self expression

During the day we will use guided visualisation and experiment with ways of creating our own healing mandalas.

Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be able to draw or paint to come on this workshop, and all materials are provided. The main point is to express yourself rather than make a 'good' work of art.

About the facilitator Zangmo Denise Alexander MA PGCE

See CV

Zangmo Denise Alexander is an art teacher and professional artist who regularly meditates and has been on an 8 week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Course with the University of Bangor.

She has experienced very clearly how creative activities together with mindfulness practice and methods from art therapy can lead to increased insight, creativity, healing, enjoyment of life and an increased sense of purpose and connectedness.

Art activities have been part of her own inner journey for the past 30 years, exploring psychotherapy, art therapy, and the perennial wisdom at the heart of the world's spiritual traditions to find her own personal path, which is rooted in Buddhism, yet still rejoices in the richness of all the different traditions.

Some student comments:

'Wonderfully calming day'
'Everything was explained clearly and concisely'
'Relaxing and invigorating....I learned not to float off during meditation and felt grounded and connected'

 

Small Group - book now to ensure a place!
Enquiries and Bookings: 01379 687360