Friday, July 22, 2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

art therapy and autism

I found a very interesting article on the incorporation of the parent in the therapeutic process with the client. I have started to incorporate the same with incredible results in the progress of the client's communication skills and dealing with his emotions.
Have a read, and look at the interesting resources and links on this website.

http://www.colorsofplay.com/creative-interventions/art-therapy-and-autism-working-with-parent-and-child-together

Art Therapy with Rinske Salverda

Why We Need the Arts in Medicine

Why We Need the Arts in Medicine

chakras

When I work with clients I look at issues from various perspectives. One of them is the chakras. Chakras are energy 'wheels' in our bodily system. Each chakra has its own function and also has its own colour. The colours are the same as the rainbow colours. We have seven main chakras. When a person has a certain issue that may be physical and/or emotional I can assess which chakra may be related to the issue. With painting certain colours we can work on the issue and remove obstacles towards greater health.

Reiki also works on chakra healing and balancing. With the permission of the person, I may incorporate a Reiki healing treatment for enhanced effectiveness.

Reiki is accessible to everyone, and can be learned by anyone. As a Reiki Master, I can attune you to Reiki level1 and then you can apply it to yourself. A great tool to maintain balance and face challenges.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Reuters.com - Art therapy reduces anxiety in kids with asthma
http://in.reuters.com/article/email/idINTRE64K5MZ20100521

Sunday, July 10, 2011

art therapy, reiki and drumming

Intention is the most vital part of Reiki.

While I strike my hand drum or beat my djembe, I hold the intention for the client to find his/her own rhythm on the drum. I 'hold the space' for them so to speak. Once they have gotten into their 'groove', I explore if it is the right time to silence my drum while holding the original intention. If it is beneficial that I strike my drum again to continue to hold the intention I may do that, provided of course I feel the approval of the 'partner'. When I sense that the client is waiting/hoping for me to join I will also immediately do that and thus we get a "conversation' going.

Thus we come to the perfect essence of improvisation!

From this activity we can bring our feelings into painting or clay modelling.

I recently did this with a young man on the autism spectrum, with quite stunning results such as speaking a full sentence, making sounds during his drumming. Beaming smiles and energized happy body language.

We will continue further in this exploration of communication.
Try it, everyone and everything has rhythm!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer Wind by William Cullen Bryant

It is a sultry day; the sun has drank
The dew that lay upon the morning grass,
There is no rustling in the lofty elm
That canopies my dwelling, and its shade
Scarce cools me. All is silent, save the faint
And interrupted murmur of the bee,
Settling on the sick flowers, and then again
Instantly on the wing. The plants around
Feel the too potent fervor; the tall maize
Rolls up its long green leaves; the clover droops
Its tender foliage, and declines its blooms.
But far in the fierce sunshine tower the hills,
With all their growth of woods, silent and stern,
As if the scorching heat and dazzling light
Were but an element they loved. Bright clouds,
Motionless pillars of the brazen heaven;--
Their bases on the mountains--their white tops
Shining in the far ether--fire the air
With a reflected radiance, and make turn
The gazer's eye away. For me, I lie
Languidly in the shade, where the thick turf,
Yet virgin from the kisses of the sun,
Retains some freshness, and I woo the wind
That still delays its coming. Why so slow,
Gentle and voluble spirit of the air?
Oh, come and breathe upon the fainting earth
Coolness and life. Is it that in his caves
He hears me? See, on yonder woody ridge,
The pine is bending his proud top, and now,
Among the nearer groves, chestnut and oak
Are tossing their green boughs about. He comes!
Lo, where the grassy meadow runs in waives!
The deep distressful silence of the scene
Breaks up with mingling of unnumbered sounds
And universal motion. He is come,
Shaking a shower of blossoms from the shrubs,
And bearing on the fragrance; and he brings
Music of birds, and rustling of young boughs,
And sound of swaying branches, and the voice
Of distant waterfalls. All the green herbs
Are stirring in his breath; a thousand flowers,
By the road-side and the borders of the brook,
Nod gaily to each other; glossy leaves
Are twinkling in the sun, as if the dew
Were on them yet, and silver waters break
Into small waves and sparkle as he comes.