Isn't it just about mucking around with arty stuff?
Yes, and No!
Whilst the activities at all GoWhereYouFlow sessions, and retreat days, are designed to be fun and playful, there is serious theory and science behind them.
Mental Health is at an all time low for many people, and many of the social structures which used to support our communities simply don't exist anymore.
The outcome of this is that many people are living in a constant state of anxiety and chronic stress. This is proven to affect not only our mental wellbeing, but our physical health too.
Current research suggests that there may even be a link between chronic stress and the increase in autoimmune conditions.
Our bodies are designed to be in a neutral state, only "activating" when there is a threat to our survival. Once the threat is passed they are designed to quickly return to a neutral state (to allow healing and processing).
Our high paced, high demand lifestyles now mean that this neutral state is often short lived, if we get it at all.
Enter Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapies (HICAT)
A rather long title for a simple concept!
To heal our bodies need to come out of the hyper-alert activation of our nervous systems. Not only are our bodies negatively impacted by chronic stress, our creative, problem solving areas of the brain are actually off line!
By creating a safe, non-judgemental space and deliberately changing our focus it is possible to help restore our bodies in to their natural calm state.
HICAT can incorporate crafting, movement, listening to or playing music, guided visualisations, journaling, or even using drama based activities.
There is NEVER any pressure to take part in activities that you are not comfortable with, and no expectation to share what you create. This is about creating, for you; not getting critical feedback to improve artistic technique.