I demonstrated this lesson to two classes of high school students in the Bay Area. They responded excellently. I had to be very brief 35-40 minutes including drawing time. This lesson can be expanded and used as a brainstorming session for a larger project. It can also work as a part of other lessons using the other chakras.
Manipura, 3rd Chakra Lesson
plan
· Objectives of the class. Students will be able
to:
o
Understand what their third chakra is according
to the Hindu philosophy
o
Demonstrate exercises that represent the chakra
o
Learn about artists working with memory, and
body energy
o
Create a drawing based on their experience of
the class (Draw body pose, laughter memory or image describing energy in the
body)
· Content standards (VPA California)
o
5.2
Create a work of art that communicates a cross-cultural or universal theme
taken from literature or history.
o
2.5
Use innovative visual metaphors in creating works of art.
Introduction
· I have found that a great
way to get inspiration for art-making comes from getting to know yourself and
who you are.
· Today we are going to make some art, do body
exercises, meditate and focus on one area of our bodies. As we go through
this you want to pull and images that come to mind to use for you artwork later in the class.
Introduction
meditation
· Relax. Close your eyes (optional). Focus on your
breath filling your lungs and bringing you warm or refreshing energy.
· Imagine breathing in the energy from sky and letting it
run through your body. (Alternate with pulling from the earth)
*Pass out flyers with images
Energy and the Manipura
The idea of energy flowing through your body has
been around for a long time. Many cultures understand this and represented it
in several ways. In Chinese medicine, it is known as Qi. It has been used to heal
using Qigong and acupuncture. In my own culture a Curandera, is responsible for rubbing illnesses out of people
through massage.
· The chakra system originated from India around
1500-500 BC. It represented the complex paths and intersections that the body’s
energy traveled through.
· Chakra means wheel, so if you can think of these
as places where energy gathers and swirls moving throughout your body. Each
chakra is a place where energy gathers to perform its role.
· Today we will work on the 3rd chakra.
It is the yellow one (refer to handout).
o
The Manipura is commonly known as the Solar
plexus. Like the sun its color is yellow. It deals with issues of
willpower, ambition and action and is weakened by all forms of shame,
embarrassment and self-consciousness. Physically, it supports your liver,
pancreas, gallbladder, stomach and spleen.
· How can you tell if you need to work on your chakra: Inbalance/
Balance:
o Do you see yourself as powerless or too powerful OR Peaceful strength that is not too dominant or submissive
o Do you have lots of different ways of shaming
yourself OR are you Confient even if you make mistakes
o Do you see the future as full of danger OR do you see future full of life, hope and that your
dreams can come true
o Do you are generally highly stressed and often comment to
others how stressed and busy you are as a badge of honor. Or do you work
towards growth and are future focused.
Ask students: Does anyone relate to these and want to share?
3rd Chakra Exercises
· We are going to do another meditation and some exercises to have
you feel your third chakra. These you can do with eyes open
o
Breath into your body as we did for the first
meditation. Breath into your stomach letting it expand but
still stay relaxed. Deep breath into stomach letting that whole area expand,
back sides and front
o
Imagine you just had a delicious meal and your
stomach is satisfied and full. Put your hands on your belly and rub your full
stomach. Rub it really well with both hands.
o
Now I want you to think of your family, think of a funny memory. When was the last time you laughed so hard juice
came out of your nose, or that time your friend farted in class or whatever you
can think of. *This may not get responses from strangers, only try with a more familiar group.
o Laugh out loud in any silly way you can think of. How does Santa laugh or Minnie Mouse.
Washing machine: Have students stand up, reach up up and out with their arms like a star. Have them swing their arms side to side twisting their belly area.
· Power pose, sitting or standing, what pose makes
you feel powerful (not dominating). Imagine that you are the principal or CEO of your company. (Demonstrate some poses where you are expanded)
Alex Grey
· Before we start our drawing activity I want you
to flip to the back of the hand out and take a look at the art of Alex Grey.
· He makes art that connects people to their
energy and the natural energies around them. His work is very large scale and
often life size.
· He studied anatomy and actually dissected
cadavers at Harvard Medical Center to gain a deep understanding of the body.
· In the first piece Painting, it shows how an
artist gains inspiration through a higher spiritual connection. He also created
and experiences art with his senses and his heart. As a result the artwork this
is hidden is radiant with its own energy.
· In the other painting Theologue shows how the
chakras are aligned during meditation.
Drawing
Tell students:
Under the artwork you can see some samples of art that can help balance the 3rd Chakra.
The first uses yellow, the fiery warmth represents the energy of the chakra. The woman is also standing in a clam but strong pose.
The second can be interpreted to describe the sensations of energy in the body.
The third has a large sun and positive encouraging messages.
The last one has positive words as well and images of what the artist enjoys doing.
You can use all these as ideas to create drawing to balance your third chakra. It can be a drawing of what brings you joy, what makes you feel confident, it can be abstract and you can even write on the drawing.
Have them begin their drawings. they can share with a partner and then have some share with the class.
----let me know if you want copies of the handouts, or if you have any questions. Thanks!
I have been thinking about what makes a quality transformative arts teacher. I would like to ask any viewer to comment and add to the following:
