Dear readers ,

As we begin to move through to March of this year – I am excited to share snippets of a brilliant book called Transformation by James Gordon – ☀️🍀

I am loving the read as the author highlights on healing pathways and wellness journeys . He highlights that the impact of trauma does not have to be permanent -draws light on engaging in activities that allow for movement, creativity and breath work . 🧘‍♀️💃🕺🎨🖌️🖼️

The author coins the term “expressive meditation” – to elaborate on the benefits of engaging in movement that is relaxing , art that can bring in more awareness and breath work that facilitates better mind and body wellness ⭐️🌸

Expressive meditation is spontaneous and liberating as it is not set within time frames – neither is it goal based . The objectives of expressive meditation include relaxation , awareness and expression.🎨🖌️🌻

A. Relaxation : When we embrace any form of art or movement based activity – we work on engaging in the moment for the purpose of enjoyment of art or the movement – so we relax – relaxation allows doe the nervous system to feel calm – we allow for feelings of safety and wellness within our bodies. 🌸😊

B. Awareness : breath work and movement allows one to experience and observe emotions . By learning to observe emotions we work on using thinking skills , whilst simultaneously engaging with activities that allow for safety and wellness . There is better acceptance of context without the threat of being caught in repetitive cycle of thoughts ☀️🍀🤗

C. Expression : Is about finding ways to process out painful experiences – through art or writing . It involves a cathartic process – writing , movement and drawing allows us to create space between us and our emotional experiences . Finding solace through constructive expression facilitates one to feel lighter and clearer – The word cathartic has its origin from the Greek word ‘cleansing “🙌🌻

Some more about

Expressive meditation

⁃ includes dance , yoga , writing any form of visual art, and breath work .

⁃ Increases feel good hormones or neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine

⁃ Creates new cells within the hippocampus area of the brain that helps with thinking , memory and executive functioning

⁃ Decreases anxiety – improves mood and affect

⁃ Works as a robust preventative measure against depression

⁃ Improves sleep patterns and

⁃ Offers capacity towards improved focus and

⁃ Empowers one with resilience

As I close i aspire for each of you to find solace in some form of art , creativity or movement that adds more mind body wellness and embrace safety each day every day 🌻⭐️☀️

For those of us in the southern hemisphere we are still holding on the delightful remnants of the summer skies 🌻🙏

Much love