Attend this interesting art therapy session to unwind in Mumbai this week

A view from a previous session. pics courtesy/art & therapy loft

For those seeking a space to reconnect with themselves, platform Art & Therapy Loft in Mumbai, offers art therapy sessions four days a week. It consists of a steady process, helping participants discover a new side to themselves. For more insights, we reached out to art therapist and co-founder, Natasha Singh. "A session has 10 to 12 participants, usually aged between 30 and 50, and often more women. They are guided by me or fellow therapist and co-founder, Reena Ramakrishnan, with close attention given to everyone," Singh tells us.

She provides context about the process, "I take a heart-centred approach to induce a peaceful state of mind for participants. Prior artistic expertise is not required. We often use colour to showcase one's present mood, especially feelings that are not easily expressible." The key word here is ‘abstract', Singh adds, describing the session as an emotional space for self-development: "The goal is to make participants aware of personal tendencies, provide therapeutic support, and allow them to customise their styles of art." Unlike traditional talk therapy, art therapy, she points out, takes an anthroposophic approach. She explains, "We concentrate on how the individual functions, and interacts with the self and others, and determine if participants have an imbalance between thinking, feeling, and acting, followed by attempts to balance these out. This is particularly useful to those who either overthink or dive headfirst into things, causing misplaced action."

Participants engage in watercolour painting during a therapy session

A usual session includes exercises with the art mediums provided, from watercolour to clay. "We typically use watercolour on wet paper, allowing the paint to remain unfixed, like a parallel to stepping out of a stagnant position and into the unknown, outside one's comfort zone," says Singh. "We work backwards, putting sentiments, from boredom to frustration, on paper. I've seen individuals who've consistently participated over time, develop a unique art style, embrace themselves, and relate to the struggles of others in the same silent space."

Natasha Singh

Ultimately, art therapy concerns itself with the process, not the outcome. "I share timely feedback, and guide individuals on aspects they should try and focus on in their art. It becomes an active meditation, you could say," Singh signs off.

On Tuesday (11 am to 1 pm), Wednesday (10.30 am to 12.30 pm), Thursday (5.30 pm to 8 pm), and Saturday (11 am to 1 pm)
At Art & Therapy Loft, Leo Kohinoor, Khar West.
Call 9619108002 (to book)
Entry Rs 1000 (trial session)