Art for Cancer Wellness: Mindful Meditations Young Adult Patients Group with Lacy, Summer 2024
Workshop Title: Mindful Meditations
Facilitator: Lacy Mucklow, MA, ATR-BC, LPAT-S, LCPAT, ATCS, CCTP, CIMHP
Dates: Saturdays, 3 PM to 4:30 PM ET/2 PM to 3:30 PM CT
- June 1
- June 8
- June 15
- June 22
Workshop Overview: In this weekly four-session workshop series, facilitated by art therapist Lacy Mucklow, participants will be invited to take part in an art therapy group for survivors of cancer. Each week, participants will be guided to explore a theme designed to explore feelings, increase self-expression, foster hope and strengths, identify coping skills, and engage in mindfulness and grounding.
Week-by-Week Overview: Each workshop will be structured as follows: check-in, opening meditation, art-making response, and discussion.
Workshop Materials: Sketchbook, colored/watercolor pencils, oil pastels, other media of choice. Recommend all-inclusive starter kit.
Week 1: Beach Meditation
After introductions and KTH overview, open group with a Soothing Beach meditation. Participants then create response artwork to the visualization and write a written reflection about their artwork, process, and/or experience. End group with discussion about mindfulness practices and how they may be helpful for grounding, healing, and reducing stress.
Week 2: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Meditation
Open group with a check-in and begin with a Progressive Muscle Relaxation meditation (this meditation is more interactive, so participants are encouraged to only engage in what feels comfortable for them). Participants then create response artwork to the visualization and write a written reflection about their artwork, process, and/or experience. Discuss how progressive muscle relaxation can help people relax physically from pent-up tension and assist with mood and sleep. End group with discussion about mindfulness practices and how they may be helpful for grounding, healing, and reducing stress.
Week 3: Mandala Meditation
Open group with a check-in and lead into the Mandala meditation. After the meditation, group members create an original mandala with their materials and share about their artwork at the end of the group during discussion. Discuss experiences making their mandala and positive effects creating mandalas can have (as shown in research) to see if they found similar benefits. End group with discussion about mandala journaling as a coping tool.
Week 4: Inner Sanctuary Meditation
Open group with a check-in and begin with an Inner Sanctuary meditation. Participants then create response artwork to the visualization and write a written reflection about their artwork, process, and/or experience. Discuss how the sanctuary concept can provide an imaginative, safe space for grounding and recentering. End group with discussion about mindfulness practices and how they may be helpful for grounding, healing, and reducing stress.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to art@kitstoheart.org.
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