Mindful Expressions

On April 30, 2024, the Psychology Society in collaboration with the Department of Psychology, Loreto College, Kolkata, organised an Expressive Arts Therapy session. It was aimed to be a transformative experience, fostering deep emotional exploration and self-expression among the attendees. The session was led by Ms. Ipshita Mukherjee, a freelance expressive arts therapist who focused on six core activities.

The first activity was ‘Expression through Movement,’ where participants began by moving their bodies to music. This activity encouraged uninhibited expression, emotional release, and physical self-awareness. The next activity, ‘Nonverbal Expression with Partners,’ required attendees to pair up and communicate solely through gestures and movements. This exercise encouraged empathy, nonverbal communication skills, and creative expression. The third activity was ‘Artistic Expression,’ where participants used crayons to create art that reflected their current emotions. This exercise served as a tangible outlet for emotional expression and introspection. Next, the participants engaged in ‘Imaginative Exploration,’ with guided imagery that led them to engage in scenarios such as carrying a heavy bag or navigating a challenging environment. This created an avenue for the manifestation of coping mechanisms and resilience.

The participants’ favourite activity was ‘Physical Play with Balloons,’ which had them playing with balloons without using palms. The activity encouraged adaptability and the need for inculcating creative solutions to sensitive situations. The joy generated by the playful physical activity also acted as a positive reinforcer. The final exercise explored the link between mental states and physical realities through establishing ‘Mind-Body Connection.’ An attempt was made to put the participants in a trapped, restricted state of mind, which was promptly followed by liberating music, with participants being asked to envision themselves as free birds who could “spread your wings and fly.” This stimulated dialogue on how mental states can have very real physical implications and vice versa.

Overall, the session facilitated deep introspection, emotional release, and a heightened sense of self-awareness among participants. The activities, designed around expressive therapy principles, provided avenues for exploring and expressing complex emotions, leading to feelings of catharsis, joy, and renewed emotional well-being for many attendees.