Issue #7

2000

By Anne Howells

“The expressive arts are ancient forms being reborn to bring much needed integration and balance into our world. In early times people knew well that dance, song, art and storytelling were all part of the same process: that of being fully functioning and creatively human. They also used the arts as a connection to each other and the forces of nature. Dancing and song release feelings, energize the body and evoke community spirit. The visual arts bring forth imagery and metaphor”. Natalie Rogers.

In her book The Creative Connection, Natalie Rogers, brings us to an understanding that we are all innately creative. The arts allow us to connect to the deeper parts of ourselves and to access feelings and emotions to develop greater self-awareness, understanding and wholeness.

Many of us feel that we are not artistic but creativity is part of all of us and not restricted to art or dance or music or our abilities in those areas. We may be experts at creating a report, decorating our homes, and arranging flowers or a multitude of different activities that we do well. Music, for instance, can move us in ways that often surprise us. We may doodle and find ourselves creating quite amazing designs. Nature may inspire us to photography or painting. Any involvement in an activity that pleases us and connects to a deeper level of ourselves is of vital importance to our well-being. We become more relaxed, our self-esteem and confidence grow and our view of our life opens and expands. As a result we are healthier, more active and have a positive outlook.

Growth is about finding out who we are, connecting to ourselves on a deeper level, and learning what makes us tick and what our needs are. It is a process of discovering our uniqueness yet being in a relationship with others uniqueness. We are then able to be in the world as authentically as we can.

We express inner feelings by creating outer forms. The creation of an art piece that expresses a feeling is not about the product; it’s about your process. It has meaning to you and is deeply meaningful. It can give you information that has been hidden. Our art speaks back to us if we take the time to let in those messages. Moving and being fully present to a piece of music that you love can change emotions and take you to a deeper place within yourself. Writing about your experiences gives you a safe place to dialogue with your feelings and come to some resolution. We use the arts to let go, to express and release.

Therefore, to use the arts alone, with a therapist or in a group, means going into our inner selves to discover feelings and expressing them through the use of images, sound, movement or journalizing. Living creatively is a way of breaking barriers, loosening out worn ideas and making way for a newer, healthier more fulfilling life.

Anne Howells is an Expressive Arts Therapist and Energy Healer She works in private practice and groups. She is trained in psychology, social work, expressive arts and bodywork. She has worked for 13 years as a Counsellor, Therapist and Facilitator

 Design News2News.com • Toronto • 2000