Meditative Mandala

Meditative Mandala 

How to Cultivate a Meditative Practice for Stress Relief and Self Expression

Course Description:

This is a 90 minute group meditative practice focusing on the ‘meditative process’ of drawing mandalas and not the drawings themselves. The emphasis is on meditation not on the artwork. Throughout the course I will teach a range of breathing, stretching techniques and hand-eye coordination drawing exercises which will help us prepare for the practice. I will present a short slideshow presentation on meditative philosophy and visual inspiration from both the natural and manmade worlds highlighting geometric and organic shapes which we can incorporate into our mandalas drawings.  

Learning to draw mandalas is an invaluable creative tool to help you find stress relief and deal with any unwanted emotions leading to a sense of calmness in the body and clarity of mind. Furthermore, it sharpens your sense of concentration, helping you to focus on what you want out of life. 

Over time you’ll discover that drawing isn’t just about lines on a page, but a doorway to a deeper connection with yourself, and the world around you.   

Student Testimonial 

“The course opened up a whole new world for me. It gave me the courage to pick up a pen again and just let things flow – without judgement – a real learning point. My colleagues have noticed how relaxed I have become under pressure!” Thérèse Dunne

Course Outline:

Week 1 

• Breathing Technique – Abdominal Breathing
• Presentation: Introduction to Mandalas and Wabi Sabi Philosophy to cultivate a meditative mindset – replacing self-criticism with embracing imperfection.
• Getting familiar with the mandala building blocks

Week 2

• Breathing Technique – Abdominal Breathing
• Presentation: Zen Mind – Cultivating a Beginners Mindse.
• Hand – eye cordination drawing exercises

Week 3  

• Breathing Technique – Alternative Nostril Breathing
• Yogic principle of ‘Santosha’ to cultivate a a mindset of gratitude. 
• Hand – eye cordination drawing exercises

Week 4

• Breathing Technique – Alternative Nostril Breathing
• Presentation: The Philosophy of Intention and Colour Psychology for Meditation and how to use colour in mandalas

Week 5

• Breathing Technique – Box Breathing
• Presentation: Henry David Thoreaus Philosophies on Nature and Observing the rhythmic patterns in Nature to tap into your inner creativity
• Marking making – hatching and scumbling

Week 6

• Breathing Technique – Box Breathing
• Presentation – Unity, Rhythm and Patterns – taking inspiration from the world around you. 
• Mark making Stippling and circles

Week 7

• Breathing Technique – Box Breathing
• Presentation Japanese Scientist Dr Masaru Emoto – Water Experiment and its impact on the patterns within our own bodies.
• Guided meditation: Snowflake visualisation.                                      

Course Day & Time: Tuesday evening 7.30 – 9.00pm

Start Date: 02/02/27

Cost: €70

Course Format: In class with tutor (Maximum of 12 students)

Materials Required: The tutor will provide paper, pens and pencils for the course. I also encourage you to bring your own paper A4/ A3, pencils, coloured pens and crayons for the course. All materials can be purchased at Mr Price.

Please Note: No drawing ability is required as the focus of this course is meditation not  drawing.  

Duration: 7 weeks

Enrolment: You can enrol online through our website by clicking on the 'Enrol Here' button. Enrolment will open Tuesday the 8th of December at 10am. 

Tutor: Helen Keane

I have extensive yoga and meditative art experience with a background in yoga and meditative art training from India and America.