Tony Orrico created a series of bilateral drawings in which he explored the use of his body as a tool of measurement to inscribe geometries through movement. / Unison symmetry standing, Edition of 8, 40″ x 26” by Tony Orrico. Photo by Michael Hart.
Narrated by Lushika Preethrajh
It is a well-researched and scientifically backed principle that therapeutic art practices can aid in overall wellness, whether that be physical, mental, or emotional.
Art practices are used in treatments for Parkinson’s, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, substance use disorder, pain management, and more with great success.
While many of us do not have access to an art therapy program, there are art practices that have therapeutic benefits, require few supplies, and can be performed in the comfort of your own space.
Bilateral drawing
Therapeutic settings employ a variety of bilateral techniques to engage cross-hemisphere brain activity — to help integrate our thinking and feeling selves — aiding in self-regulation, grounding, and reducing our freeze, fight, or flight response to triggering events. Bilateral drawing simply means to make marks with both hands simultaneously. There are many ways to do this when you are in a pinch and need immediate relief from panic, racing thoughts, dissociation, or other distressing sensations. This is also something that can be used regularly to strengthen our ability to self-regulate and help us feel more grounded.
Exercises
You’ll need:
- Two pencils, crayons, or any other mark-making tool
- A piece of paper
- A timer (if you want to try the timed exercise)
Mirrored bilateral drawing
The goal of this exercise is to draw the same thing — but flipped, like a mirror image — with both hands at the same time. Start drawing with both hands simultaneously. Keep both hands moving in sync with one another, creating the same shape, line, or pattern.
You can see an example here: https://youtu.be/r1fh_WGC6E4&t=43
Opposing pattern bilateral drawing
The goal of this exercise is to challenge your coordination and fine motor skills by creating two different shapes, patterns, or directional lines in each hand at the same time. This could mean drawing a square with one hand while drawing a circle with the other, or drawing wavy lines with one hand and straight lines with the other.
Timed bilateral doodle
For this exercise, set a timer and allow both hands to doodle with no particular goal other than to continue drawing with both hands until your timer goes off.
Tips to shake up your bilateral drawing practice
- Choose a new location to draw in. How does this practice feel at home in your bed? What about a bench at the park?
- Choose different music to accompany your practice. Do lyrics, rhythms, and moods of the music impact your practice?
- Go big. Practice bilateral drawing using large body movements on the sidewalk with chalk or on a giant piece of butcher paper. How does this feel different than using wrist movement on traditional paper?
- Track the impact. Ask yourself questions before and after practicing. How does my body feel right now? How does my mind feel? What other observations do I have?
Ashleigh Rogers is an artist, art instructor, and facilitator in Tri-Cities, Washington. Her work explores the themes of connection and intergenerational stories through experimentation in painting, photography, installation, and sculpture. Ashleigh is passionately dedicated to facilitating accessible arts programming in her community.
Find her on Facebook: fb.com/AshleighRogersArt or Instagram: ashleigh.a.rogers
Sources:
- psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/201509/bilateral-drawing-self-regulation-trauma-reparation
- studiesweekly.com/bilateral-drawing-to-destress
- Magsamen, S, & Ross, I. (2023). Your brain on art: how the arts transform us.
