Chapter 5

THE PRACTICE CHART

FOR INTENTION
CENTERED YOGA
AND ART

Instructions for meditation and assuming mudras and yoga poses

can be found in Chapters 6 through 9. Each component in the chart
can be adapted for individual use. There are many more variations
for mudras and yoga poses than could be included in the scope of
this book. Yoga information is available from books (see Further
Reading) and online sites as well as registered yoga instructors.
Art directives should ideally be done with the materials specified.
Art therapy practitioners might want to expand on the concepts
suggested here, or devise their own directives to suit the intention.
Each sequence could be used for a personal practice, as an
adjunct to clinical treatment, or as a group activity. The sequence
could also serve as therapeutic “homework” for practitioners
who work in that manner. The entire sequence will take from 15
minutes to an hour or more, depending on how long one remains in
meditation, how long a yoga pose is held, and the intricacy of the art
directive. Clinicians can adjust the timing according to their needs
and preferences.

51
52 INTEGRATING ART THERAPY AND YOGA THERAPY

USING THE PRACTICE CHART FOR

INTENTION CENTERED YOGA AND ART

1. Begin with an identified concern or simply find the

healing concept you would like to work with from the
“solution” column.
2. Be sure to have an area with enough space and privacy to
complete the sequence.
3. Look over the art directive and gather the materials needed.
4. Read the intention and alter the wording, if necessary, to
suit the person who will use it.
5. Pair the intention with the mudra for meditation. Sit quietly
in a comfortable position with a straight spine. Eyes may
be closed, or the gaze may be focused softly downward.
Place the hands into the position of the mudra and take
a deep breath in. Exhale and relax the shoulders. Repeat
the intention three times aloud. Continue to repeat the
intention silently, one time for each breath cycle. After ten
breaths, say the intention aloud one time. Inhale deeply,
exhale and release the mudra.
6. Assume the yoga pose. If the version of the pose pictured
in the chart is not appropriate, please find a variation.
Some will find a modified pose more comfortable and
some will find a more challenging version of the pose to
be more suitable. The pose should always be comfortable.
Pain is to be avoided. If it is possible to breathe freely
without holding the breath or laboring to breathe, then
the pose can be held for five to ten breaths. If the pose is
two-sided, then repeat the same number of breaths on the
second side.
7. Quietly move to the art materials and follow the art directive.
 The Practice Chart for Intention Centered Yoga and Art 53

8. Verbally discuss what it was like to create the artwork. Stay

away from judgment words such as “like” and “good.”
Use observation words/phrases instead like, “I see…” or
“I noticed…” If practicing alone, writing in a journal is
recommended at this point.

Putting it all together

Just as there are many ways to put art materials together to create art,
there are endless ways to blend the dynamic practices presented in
this book. The chart provides a means for intention to guide the use of
mudra, meditation, yoga poses and art making. The chart acts as an
aid, but is not a substitute for developing knowledge of yoga and art
combined. Your own practice of art and yoga supports the mindful
style of professional practice that the Practice Chart for Intention
Centered Yoga and Art (Table 5.1) is based on. Implementation
of these practices will become natural as you discover how it best
serves your clients. The yoga and art chart can streamline the
process of putting together a practice; it can be a learning tool or
a means of generating ideas. The structure is designed to create a
flow of activity that supports the desired outcome. In the yoga and
art chart specific mudras, poses and art ideas are suggestions. There
is always a substitution that might work just as well, or be more
appropriate for a given situation. As you become familiar with the
elements and begin to use various combinations, you will find the
right fit and create a useful practice for yourself and/or each person
or group with whom you work.
The chart is also structured for convenience, beginning with a
concern; typically a good starting point for a clinician who is trained
to identify symptoms and assess for diagnosis. As a compassionate
yoga and art facilitator you may prefer to work from the solution.
Thinking about the solution supports a strengths-based practice that
is empowering for the client and lends itself to creating intention.
The intention is the pivotal element. In the yoga and art chart the
54 INTEGRATING ART THERAPY AND YOGA THERAPY

choices of all the other elements relate to the qualities evoked in the
intention. Creating an intention leads to identifying qualities that
ideally will be included in each element. However, once you are
familiar with the principals of all the aspects of a session, then any
point of entry is a good one. When you have developed a working
knowledge of mudras, yoga poses and art directives you will decide
where your starting point will be.
For example, you might decide that a person would benefit from
the steadiness that Mountain Pose has to offer. From there you can
match up a mudra that has qualities of steadiness, such as the gesture
of the little finger, Kanistha mudra, where the tips of the little fingers
touch each other and the other fingers relax inward, toward the
body. From there, an appropriate intention may be inspired by the
emerging sensations, such as, “I exhale and feel my stability.” Finally,
one could devise a steadiness-promoting art intervention, perhaps
inspired by the images evoked by the yoga posture, like drawing or
sculpting a mountain. Allow me to elaborate on some pieces of the
puzzle in the following chapters.
 Table 5.1 Practice Chart for Intention Centered Yoga and Art

Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive

meditation
1 Ungrateful Gratitude “I am grateful for Tarjani Child’s Pose Begin a
the support I have GRATITUDE
today.” JOURNAL, with
images.

2 Distraction Attentiveness “I move forward Chinmaya Standing Draw HOW YOU

with a calm body Forward Bend ARE FEELING
and mine.” right now.

cont.
 Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive
meditation
3 Instability Stability “Feeling my Bhu Mountain Pose Paint a
stability, I proceed MOUNTAIN and
with confidence.” a VALLEY.

4 Scattered Concentration “I am energized Abhisheka Head to Knee Do a CONTOUR

by my focused Forward Bend DRAWING, a
concentration.” drawing from
life done without
lifting the pen or
pencil.

5 Unfocused Focus “I focus clearly Mandala Alternate Make a

as I attune to my Arm and Leg MANDALA, a
wholeness.” Extensions drawing inside a
circle.
6 Insecure Security “As I find comfort Shankha Cow-Cat Pose Create a collage
in my body, I am using COLORED
calm and secure.” TAPE.

7 Ungrounded Groundedness “Sitting in Adhi Goddess Pose Do a painting on

stillness, I am a ROCK.
grounded.”

8 Fearful Fearlessness “I am centered and Abhaya Varada Warrior II Pose Make and
I move forward in decorate a
life fearlessly.” SHIELD.

cont.
 Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive
meditation

9 Depressed mood Joy “Caring for my Vajrapradama Breath of Joy Create a

heart, I awaken STRENGTH
enthusiasm.” QUILT by
mounting four
square-shaped
drawings
together, each
depicting a
personal strength.
10 Anxiety Calm “Finding peace Pala Legs Up The Draw an INSIDE/
within, I feel Wall Pose OUTSIDE
secure.” MANDALA, with
images inside and
outside a circle.

11 Shame Self-acceptance “I welcome my Purna Hridaya Extended Make a SELF-

thoughts and Mountain Pose PORTRAIT.
feelings and
embrace who I
am.”
12 Self-critical Self-healing “My path becomes Anamika Puppy Pose Do an INNER
clear as I release VOICE project:
self-limiting show what your
beliefs.” inner voice is like
with color and
texture.

13 Dissociated Embodied “I feel at home in Prithivi Tree Pose Create a BODY

my body.” MAP: color in
a body outline
using color-
coding to show
where different
feelings are felt in
the body.
14 Low self-esteem Focus on positive “I find my Hansi Warrior I Pose Create a
qualities inner smile and STRENGTHS
understand COLLAGE using
my inherent magazine photos
goodness.” showing your
strengths.

cont.
 Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive
meditation

15 Agitated Serenity “As I breathe, Jalashaya Plank Pose Make IMAGES

I experience OF FEELINGS
serenity.” and depict each
one with paint,
using color, line
and texture.

16 Guilt Innocence “I embrace life Avahana Sphinx Pose Make BUBBLE

with an open PRINTS: put
heart, and I feel dish soap with
acceptance.” watercolor in a
tray. Blow bubbles
with a straw and
lay paper over
them to create a
print.
17 Anger Contentment “I notice my inner Chaturmukham Half Shoulder Create an
contentment, and Stand INSIDE/
I live calmly.” OUTSIDE BOX:
show how you
are on the inside
of the box and
decorate the
outside showing
what your outside
is like.

18 Selfishness Compassion “I nurture my Padma Camel Pose Respond to a

heart, and FAMOUS WORK
compassion OF ART.
blossoms.”

19 Restlessness Stillness “I am focused Kapota Boat Pose Make a

and still.” CALMING
LANDSCAPE,
using any art
material.

cont.
 Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive
meditation
20 Greed Generosity “Holding lightly, I Pushpanjali Reverse Table Make
experience ease.” Pose/Staff Pose APPRECIATION
CARDS: each
person adds a
visual message
for the original
cardholder as it
is passed around
the group.

21 Negativity Positive attitude “As I cultivate Prana Side Arm Make a PICTURE
uplifting energy, I Balance OF POSITIVE
embrace life.” THINGS in
your life, using a
material that you
like.
22 Dishonesty Truthfulness “Aligned with Samputa Kundalini Crow Create a BOX
my inner self, I Pose OF VALUES by
communicate with collaging the
integrity.” outside with
magazine images
representing
you. Fill the box
with words cut
from magazines
representing what
you value most.
23 Forgetful Awareness “I am conscious of Citta Squat Pose Use a FOUND
what arises in my OBJECT as a
mind and body.” PAINTBRUSH
and make a
painting.

cont.
 Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive
meditation
24 Stressed Relaxation “I release into Dvimukham Corpse Pose Create an IMAGE
relaxation and rest OF HOME: show
in tranquility.” what “home”
means to you
using your
favorite materials.
25 Controlling Cooperation “I respect Anjali Partner Chair WORK COL-
everyone I meet.” Pose LABORATIVE-
LY: find a partner
and create a
painting together.

26 Impulsive Thoughtful “Cultivating Jnana Bridge Pose Make a

mental clarity, see FUTURE SELF-
my path clearly.” PORTRAIT: what
will you be like in
the future? Show
this in a drawing.
27 Perfectionistic Realistic “As I let go of Pranidhana Lunge Pose Make a
control, my BLINDFOLD
life becomes DRAWING:
effortless.” yes, do a
drawing while
blindfolded!

28 Resistant Openness “I greet this Ushas Seated Wide Leg Create an

day, open to Forward Bend ECCENTRIC
possibilities.” INVENTION:
solve a problem
any way at all
with this drawing.

29 Insensitive Sensitivity “As I nurture Ida Stork Pose Create ART FOR
myself, I open to OTHERS: make
sensitivity.” a piece of art to
give to someone.

cont.
 Concern Solution Intention Mudra for Yoga pose Art directive
meditation

30 Uncreative Creativity “I connect with Shunya Downward Make a

my creative self, Facing Dog Pose SCRIBBLE
and open to DRAWING:
transformation.” Make a scribble.
See what it looks
like and turn it
into a drawing.

31 Impulsive Careful “As I become Svadhisthana Forward Bend SEW A PILLOW:

comfortable with at Wall Use two pieces
myself, I cultivate of felt and sew
care.” the edges with
embroidery floss.
Stuff with fluff
before sewing the
final stitches.

32 Passivity Activity “I embrace life’s Vittam Dancer Pose Make a BIG

vital energy.” DRAWING: Tape
6 feet of butcher
paper to the
wall and make a
picture using the
whole paper!