With so much talk about the evidence of the positive effects of yoga and meditation, you might be surprised at what scientific research also says about how art effects the brain and consciousness. Long before modern neuroscience, artists were creating works to inspire people and today complex brain imaging scans can show us just how art changes the physiology of our brains. Contemplation, observing, and taking in beauty all stimulate pleasure centers within the brain while increasing blood flow by up to 10% in the medial orbitofrontal cortex. This can lead to an elevated state of consciousness, well-being, and better emotional health.
The act of creating art is also therapeutic which has been the impetus for the art therapy movement. Every one of us lived like artists as children and we have the ability to bring back this powerful form of expression and self-healing if we allow ourselves to. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy smearing paint on a canvas and letting your pleasure centers light up like a child!
I have been experimenting with the concept of Meditation effecting the way I create. Of course feeling more open, less tense, or stressed will help to be more positive when creating, But if I meditate beforehand can it help me connect deeper into my artwork, and become freer with the stroke of my brush/pen/finger? After a few attempts and mixing in some Yoga to energize the process I have found it has drawn me to a more creative place finding my flow quicker and feeling less unsure and more spontaneous when inspiration strikes.
The New Workshop I will be involved with is centered around the above and will help open the mind to feel at one with the creator inside all of us. The workshop will be using Yoga, Meditation and the amazing soundscape of the Gong performed by Kulbir Bhandal. Exploring the freedom we feel when we are at one with a canvas, tapestry, clay or other medium is a truly enlightening experience and should be tried by all.
I’d like to see a world where scientists, politicians, and spiritual practitioners gathered around art to learn and share with each other towards creating a better world. Visual art can heal us, inspire us, and alter our brain chemistry leaving us filled with inspiration and love. We don’t need science to prove this to us but now that it has what are some ways that you will invoke art and creativity for your own spiritual journey?
Love & Light To All xx
