Module 1: Setting Intentions and Designing a Creative Self-Care Plan
Intentions and Creative Self-Care Video
The foundation of this work is built upon safe space and nurturing self-care. As Facilitators it's important we tend to our own garden first.
In Module 1, we'll lay the ground work as we Tune In and Clarify our Intentions, explore a calming visualization, breath awareness and writing exercise, design a unique Creative Self-Care Plan and experiment with a "Morning Musings" or "Mindful Musings" practice.
What is a "Mindful Musings" Practice?
Inspired by Julia Cameron's "Morning Pages," I created this daily mindfulness, creativity, and writing practice as a way to holistically check-in and express myself. It's a beautiful way to begin establishing a simple, daily mindful creative practice. I believe this will not only positively impact your personal practice, but will also impact your teaching practice in the future as I firmly believe that we "teach what we know."
How do I create my own "Mindful Musings" Practice?
The main intention of my Mindful Musings method is a daily mindfulness + creativity practice of ~15 minutes (or more). If you already have mindful art practices you enjoy you can continue them with this daily intention, either first thing in the morning or when you find time through the day/night. To hear more about my Morning Musings practice, watch my Video here.
If you're beginning a new practice, or are feeling stale in your old practice, you can also follow along and watch my 30 day Mindful Art YouTube Playlist to be guided in a variety of mindful art activities for your daily Musings practice.
Like Mindful Art, there's no "right or wrong" way to begin your daily Musings - the purpose of them is to help you get into a consistent rhythm of a mindful art making practice (from 5 - 30 minutes a day). Later in Module 4, you'll be introduced more deeply to mindful art activities with Facilitator tips and you can begin intentionally exploring those activities then.
Your mindful, creative inquiries will continue to evolve throughout the training as we explore Mindful Art practices (which will later inform your teachings and offerings).
Similar to the foundational principle of Mindful Art, where there's no "right or wrong way," I encourage you to make your Mindful Musings practice your own by experimenting with the types of mindful art activities and writing prompts you explore. Please comment and share your practice with us here!
Module 1 Recommended Materials:
Unlined art journal
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Pen and colored pencils
Please access this week's Support Materials
Module 1 Includes:
Overview of the Mindful Art Teacher Training
Tune-In, Clarify Intentions, and Design your Creative Self-Care Plan
Journaling Prompts to notice what Creative practices spark Joy
Life Balance Wheel and Self-Reflective Writing Prompts
8 Creative Struggles that may stop you (or your students) from creating
8 Creative Solutions to support a daily creative practice
Required Readings (Articles) regarding Trauma, Art and Mindfulness
Recommended Readings (Books) and optional Community Sharing