Creative Prompt. Inner Tiger.
“Creative Visualization for Yoga Practice “My Focus-Motion”. Lisa Gignac.
art image credit • Lisa Gignac
A yoga instructor once provided a fun tip to help keep engaged during practice; she suggested fostering visualization while moving through postures. One day this occurred spontaneously during a virtual class while moving between "cat/cow". Suddenly I began to move in a way reminiscent of a great cat stocking through the forest. I continued the fluid motion slowly and mindfully even while the class moved to the next posture - it felt so good! My teacher paused to note this movement might be what my body was needing in the moment and to continue for as long as I liked.
After class I immediately went to my desk and began art journaling to capture the experience. Using collage, acrylics, ink, pen and stencils, I created a powerful image. Now when I practice, this tiger often comes to mind and I lean into the postures a little more playfully! 〰 Lisa
Prompt: “Creative Visualization for Yoga Practice “My Focus-Motion”
Materials.
Prepare an art making space in advance. Gather and set out your favourite art making materials.
Invitation.
When you arrive at your mat, set an intention for your practice. It might be as simple as: “I will be present” or “I will be curious”.
Move through your practice becoming aware if, on this day, a particular posture or movement feels especially comforting, enjoyable, fun or just “good”. Continue with the posture/movement, relaxing and becoming present to whatever arises. Perhaps become aware of the air moving over and around you on your matt. What is the temperature of the air? Are there any sounds or do you catch any hint of a scent. If any image arises, focus for a moment and perhaps move in response to the image. Continue focusing and moving for as long as you wish.
If nothing arises today, no problem. The next time you arrive at your mat, simply begin again by setting an intention.
Art Making.
After your yoga practise, move to your art making table and create a response to any image that might have arisen. If no image arose, you might create a response to that experience if you choose.
Lisa Gignac • artist. art therapist.
Links.
Cat Cow Pose (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana in Sanskrit) • https://www.sevensundaysyoga.com/yoga-poses/cat-cow-pose
“Cat pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow pose (Bitilasana) are gentle yoga poses often practised together to warm up your body. Together Cat-Cow poses stretches and strengthen your back muscles, and brings flexibility to your spine. You’ll become aware of the movement of your upper, middle and lower spine as you lift and arch your back in Cat and lower your back in Cow. ”
✿ LISA’S ART AND STORIES ON THE CONNECTIONS BLOG:
〰 STORIES • Lisa’s Gratitude Journal 〰 Loving Kindness
〰 CONTRIBUTIONS to: Expressive Heart-Art. + I Am. Collective Sharing + Creativity as We Age. Art as Connection
Thanks for sharing Lisa!! We recently connected, for a lengthy and caring catch-up, with rich supportive conversation, and shared reflections long overdue. Lisa then provided this art prompt to share on the Connections Blog with our creative community. Feeling such gratitude and inspiration as I upload this post, and repeatedly view her richly layered and dynamic journalling page.
Wishing everyone who engages with this prompt, playful exploration of movement and visualization through art-making!
