The Art of Zentangle©
Zentangle creations keep inspiration flowing!
Yoga and Zentangle (the art of drawing “one stroke at a time”) are two wonderful, mindful practices that can nurture a focus in the present moment. allowing us time to decide how we want to think about things and to choose positivity, acceptance, non-judgement, and happiness.
Mindfulness ~
...is being in a state of metacognition in a given moment in time. Here, we pause to reflect upon our own thinking and question if it is the kind of thinking that causes us pain or joy. And, if we prefer joy, why not change our thinking on a consistent basis? We have this choice and this power to create our own happiness.
To be filled with joy and contentment throughout all the situations in one’s life takes practice.
The benefit of mindfulness is an ancient knowledge which is being endorsed by modern science, as well. A recent Harvard Health article claims that mindfulness is a practice which can improve emotional and physical well-being. It says that a key to stress reduction and overall happiness is to become focused and fully present in the moment and to observe it without judgment.
Yoga ~
...brings us to the present moment.
First, we engage physically by noticing our breath, which prepares us to focus on creating shapes and alignment of the body.
Next, we deal with the mind as we discover, choose, and think about how deeply we can or will go into a pose, how long it will or can be held, and how comfortable we are within that shape.
Then, we deal with our emotions. We may begin to judge ourselves or others by comparison and feel guilty, competitive, prideful, shameful, masterful, or a wide range of other feelings. We practice letting those thoughts go.
With this focus on self and space through a sequence of poses and flows, we learn to become mindful about choices, moment by moment within our practice. Yoga draws us into ourselves. While you might workOUT at the gym, with yoga we work IN to create peace and contentment in our lives through a regular practice of being present with choice.
Zentangle ~
...also brings us into a relationship with the present moment; “one stroke at a time.” By giving the “how do I begin” question an easy answer, the artist (we are all artists if we choose) just begins by following the ritual of an eight-step process of drawing.
With no specific outcome in mind, Zentangle becomes beloved for its creative process. Interestingly enough, when we do not have the pressure of deciding what step to take next, we somehow unleash our own creative ideas as we progress. Drawing repeated lines forms rhythmic patterns in our vision, and we just carry on until a voice inside tells us, “that is enough of that for now.”
Somehow, when we just begin without thought of or concern for the outcome, we continue to draw as if a yoga teacher were leading us through a practice. We become open to an energetic flow of creativity that speaks to us as we lose track of time; drawing, shading, and blending one tangle at a time.
When we believe our tile (drawing surface) is completed, we hold it at arm’s length, have a look, and are often amazed by what we have created. Something new was developed that has a totally unexpected outcome and was the effect of being fully engaged in the process of drawing. The focus developed through this process is akin to meditation, and Zentangle, like yoga, is ripe with metaphors for how to create a life of happiness.