If our bodies are tense, creating art can feel forced and frustrating! Relaxing our bodies first helps us allow the creative process to flow. Try this 2-3 minute technique before you do your next sketch, journal, or masterpiece:
Progressive Relaxation:
- Find a comfortable chair to sit in or lay down on the ground, wherever you feel safe and comfortable!
- Start down at your feet. Make a fist with your toes while you breathe in and squeeze! Relax your toes as you breathe out.
- Next, flex your calves while you breathe in and relax them as you breathe out.
- Moving up to the thighs, tighten the muscles in your thighs and squeeze as you breathe in, then relax them completely as you breathe out.
- Squeeze your hips as you breathe in, and then relax your hips as you breathe out. Notice if you feel heavier after this one!
- Squeeze your belly as you breathe in and let it relax when you breathe out.
- Squeeze your shoulders up towards your ears as you breathe in, and then relax them down as you breathe out.
- Make fists with your hands and squeeze them as you breathe in, and then relax them as you breathe out. You can repeat this one as many times as you like to get your art hands ready!
- And the best for last…Squeeze your eyes closed and scrunch up your face as much as you can when you breathe in, and then open your eyes and mouth, stick your tongue out as you breathe out!
Before you start your art, notice if your body feels any different after this fun body experiment! If you enjoyed this, think about other times during the day that this could help you. Practice it as much as you like and teach your family and friends!