Introduction to Guided Drawing

Guided Drawing is a sensorimotor art therapy practice developed and taught by Cornelia Elbrecht that helps us to reconnect with our emotions through movement and sensation. Our emotions live in the body and when we practice listening inward, we can feel more grounded and regulated. This approach gently supports parts of our life experiences that may be difficult to access through talking alone, especially memories and feelings beneath conscious awareness.

The session begins with a short introduction and gentle warm-up. With your eyes closed, you will use both hands to map out sensations within your body and to draw out any movements that your body might need, allowing your embodied self to guide the process. I will demonstrate the activity while also offering suggested shapes and interventions during the process.

Testimonial from previous participants who have generously given me permission to share:

"I am so very grateful for the session we had today. The explanation of what to do, how to connect with my body and examples of how to express myself and tap into my own feelings, made the session feel so aligned to exactly what I needed. I felt very safe and secure in your presence to look inwards and pull the processing of my feelings into my hands, wrists, arms and shoulders as my emotions ran through them and into the pastels you supplied. I felt safe to cry as I searched inwards to feel how my body was storing stress and pain, and pull it out onto the page, to self sooth with the sound of the pastels scraping along the page, my hands alchemising my wounded self into reassurance and calmness. The space you held for me, your gentle encouragement and your kind guidance are so truly special and I literally feel unloaded after our session. I feel like I can breathe easier. Thank you for showing me this strategy to connecting and soothing myself, I'll be using this process again and again." - Trish

"Xeia's guided drawing workshop is an invitation to see yourself from an alternative perspective. Through the exploration Xeia facilitated, I was able to shine light on the connection between my body and my emotional reality. At times, the process felt like an opening - giving me permission to access profound truths about myself. It was both grounding and exciting, and I left with a deeper awareness that I know will continue to shape both my personal life and my artistic practice." - Jack

“Before starting, I was hesitant; I didn’t think it would “work” for me especially because I don’t draw much. Then, the experience began, and I felt tension in my throat, as I often hold back tears. So, I let them flow onto the paper. I found a certain sensuality in the touch of the paper, as if I were caressing soft skin. I loved the surprise of discovering my drawings after keeping my eyes closed. By the end, both my body and mind were relaxed, free from the weight of the day. I have no idea how long it lasted; I completely lost track of time.” - Agathe

Note:
Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time so we can start promptly. Doors 10 minutes after the start time :)

Please type in CONCESSION if you are facing financial hardship for a discounted $25 ticket. Please email me at greenhouse.arttherapy@gmail.com if that is still difficult- no one will be turned away.