Mindful Punching

May 15, 2020

Mindfulness, how often have we heard this term used over the last few years as a tool to ground ourselves and stay in the present moment.  It has become so common that it almost feels like we need to be mindful in order to be mindful, if that makes sense.  Mindfulness is defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as ”paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” 

So, how does this relate to punch needle rug hooking?  If you have ever taken an 8-week course in mindfulness, you are taught different ways of being mindful, such as mindful walking, mindful eating, mindful yoga, mindful listening and so on.  It is with this in mind that we can begin to understand how to link a mindful practice to punch needle rug hooking.   As we create a space for ourselves to punch, we also create a space for ourselves to become aware of the present moment, the colours and textures, the punch needle in our hands, the rhythm of the punch needle going in and out of the fabric, and transferring the picture in our mind to the fabric.

Through the craft of punch needle we learn how to be in the moment with what we are doing, and we begin to experience things in a new way that perhaps we had been taking for granted.  Mindfulness also helps us to become aware of the stream of thoughts that come and go, and the feelings that often result from these thoughts.  We become better able to then separate what we know to be true and not true in the moment, decreasing anxiety we may be feeling and thus improving our mental wellbeing.

I would encourage you to create a space for yourself and try a little mindful punching!  Let me know how it goes and how you feel.

Please stay tuned for further updates about mindfulness, craft and mental wellbeing.