In these times with the global pandemic (COVID-19) and lockdown, stress levels are high. I realize that I’m not breathing deeply and I’m often sighing. The purpose of this exercise is to help me focus on deep breathing.
In this exercise we record a breath with a brush stroke. One brush stroke for each breath.
Gather Materials:
- paper
- ink
- ink bowl
- sumi brush
Today’s Exercise
Deep Breathing and Mark-Making
- Lay down paper on top of a piece of scrap paper – as the ink will leak through the page
- Load the brush with ink from the bowl
- Hold the brush up in front of you, pointing it down at the paper,
- Draw in a deep centering breath.
- Touch the brush to the paper and begin to exhale
- Move the brush on the page to record a single exhaled breath
- When the breath is exhausted stop the brush
- Repeat filling the page with breath marks
I did the exercise again with a roll of paper, two different brushes and, in addition to black ink, I used red. This time I moved the brush in a variety of ways with my breath.
Reflections on the Exercise
- I loved this exercise. Very meditative and relaxing. I will do it again, perhaps I’ll start with a yoga session.
- I enjoyed the second exercise more… varying the marks, the brush, the ink
- I do feel that the first exercise is necessary to start with, it helps me focus on my breath and not on the marks I’m making.