Your Body As Canvas - Ice Cream for the Soul by Joy Koenig, MD - Personal Growth, Wellness, Healthy Lifestyle, Meditation, Inspiration

YOUR BODY AS A CANVAS
CATEGORY

        Meditation Game

DESCRIPTION

        Body paint yourself, your child, your lover, or a friend.

INSTRUCTIONS

        First, make sure the paints you use can easily wash off and won't stain your skin. On the other hand, you could create some interesting conversation at your workplace by ignoring this step. I'll leave the decision in your hands.

        Wear an old pair of shorts and a T-shirt, a bathing suit, your underwear, or completely undress. I suggest leaving enough skin exposed to have some fun, and maybe even taking a bit of a risk. If you are doing this with a partner, be willing to choose an exposure level that allows both (all) of you to be comfortable. You may be comfortable stark naked, but your partner may not be comfortable having you stark naked. These words of care and caution: It's sometimes wiser to push boundaries when you are by yourself before you push them with others. I recommend defaulting to more clothes rather than fewer. You can always do this activity more than once.

        Paint as your spirit moves you. Use the section on SYMBOLISM as a reference, or choose symbols from your native culture. There are many beautiful symbols from other languages that I have not included in this book. African, Chinese, Japanese, Native American, Indian and Polynesian designs can be found on the internet. Consider painting your body by chakra color -- legs and feet red, hips orange, stomach yellow, etc. Of course, you can always choose the option of painting with no order whatsoever.

RELATED IDEA

        Cover your friend with a sheet and use spray bottles of colored water, or use seltzer water in a bottle. Shake it up and spray it like champagne to create designs. If you don't have an available friend, just lay the sheet down on the ground.

        Make your own healing clothing by using an oversize T-shirt, and painting the colors of the rainbow on it. Sleep in it, and see if you feel more balanced in the morning.

JOY'S JOURNEY

        I am artistically challenged, and therefore somewhat envious of those who can sculpt pottery, paint and draw. I can do this activity with artistic confidence, since I am the only critic and my art work is gently washed down the drain when I'm through.

QUOTES

Paintings have a life of their own
that derives from the painter's soul.
Vincent Van Gogh

Painting is the grandchild of nature.
It is related to God.
Rembrandt

Painting is self-discovery.
Every good artist paints what he is.
Jackson Pollock

If I didn't start painting,
I would have raised chickens.
Grandma Moses

Dr. Joy is available to present playful workshops (playshops) at your corporate training retreat, non profit organization gathering, or club membership meetings. She is located in Denver, Colorado, and travels throughout the US to deliver Serious Fun ™ Programs for personal growth, wellness, and inspiration. Please see the program pages for details and contact information.

This playful meditation activity is COPYRIGHTED. If you are a professional trainer, coach, human resources person, counselor, or therapist it is not ethical nor legal for you to use it or share it with your clients or those you supervise/train as part of your job. See the copyright notice on the front page of this e-book. Remember, character is what you do when no one is looking. Please take the high road, and pay me appropriately to use these materials professionally, even if you work for a church, school, non-profit or the government.