Art Therapy and Yoga techniques have many benefits to the human body and mind. In conjunction with one another, they can work together to heal the mind, body and soul. Art Therapy is the practice and integration between art and therapy. Art Therapy is used to reduce conflicts and distress, foster self-esteem and build emotional resilience and enhance social skills. There are many different types of ways to practice Art Therapy; whether it be art as therapy or the analysis of artwork which both founders Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer had differing opinions. Naumburg believes in the psychoanalysis behind the art and Kramer believes that just creating the artwork is substantial enough. Yoga is an old ancient practice created by Maharshi Patanjali created between 400 and 500 CE. Yoga acts in a similar way but is the integration between the mind, body and soul and helps foster physical strength as well as give the mind clarity and calmness.
It has been proven that both Art Therapy and yoga have been very beneficial to the majority and differing populations such as substance users, geriatrics, young adults with a general psychiatric diagnosis during virtual Art Therapy/Yoga sessions, adults in a psychiatric setting and varying other populations such as the developmentally disabled. Improved physical strength was noticed with the geriatric population during chair yoga sessions. Meditation music was streamed on Youtube with a large flat screen, fake candles were placed out to improve the atmosphere and ambiance of the room and chair yoga was administered. Additionally, memories were sparked by those clients that participated in Art Therapy sessions, whether they participated in the art as therapy or the psychoanalysis through the art. Other populations that improved with yoga and meditation were those of the virtual psychiatric world and those in a psychiatric population. Those that could participate in yoga were able to reach a calmer state of mind and those that were able to draw out their emotions were psychoanalyzed improving their mood and insight into their own
conditions.
Other populations mentioned can benefit from Art Therapy and yoga as well as the typical or average individual. Overall, the goals behind yoga and Art Therapy are very similar. They have a similar goal to heal the mind as well as the soul. Yoga introduces a new method of enhancing the physical well-being of the individual. Both are extraordinary fields and should be used in conjunction with each other to improve the mind, body and soul!