In collaboration with Animenta Bologna.
When Expressive Arts and Yoga Nidra meets to give voice and shape to the Hearth.
In the realm of healing and recovery, stories hold immense power. They forge connections, build empathy, and offer inspiration to those navigating similar challenges. This belief is at the core of Animenta, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and fostering dialogue around eating disorders (EDs). Their mission resonated deeply as I embarked on creating and presenting the HeartH workshop at their Bologna headquarters on October 26th.
This blog post dives into the essence of the HeartH project, and the profound impact it aims to achieve through Yoga Nidra and expressive arts practices.
The importance of stories in healing.
As Animenta beautifully articulates: “The importance and power of stories lie in the empathetic connection created when someone listens to another who has lived the same experience.” This connection forms a bridge—a space where individuals can feel understood, validated, and inspired to embark on their journey of healing.
While these external connections are transformative, the HeartH workshop invites participants to take this one step further: to cultivate an empathetic and non-judgmental connection with themselves.
What if we treated our hearts as “the other”—a trusted companion worthy of our attention, kindness, and understanding?
The workshop: exploring Connection Through Yoga Nidra and Expressive Arts.
HeartH is designed to nurture this internal relationship, guiding participants to connect deeply with their hearts and inner worlds. The workshop leverages two key practices:
- Yoga Nidra: A unique meditation and deep relaxation technique.
- Expressive Arts: Creative exercises that transform emotions into tangible expressions.
Why Yoga Nidra?
Yoga Nidra stands out for its accessibility and efficacy. Unlike other forms of meditation, it does not require prior experience. Its systematic approach engages the nervous system, inducing profound relaxation and a state of introspection. This allows participants to bypass the analytical mind—often a barrier to self-awareness—and access their heart’s voice with clarity and presence.
The practice begins with physical, emotional, and mental relaxation techniques, which quiet the mind and pave the way for deep inner listening. In this state of openness, participants can explore their inner landscapes without judgment, creating space for authentic self-expression.
Expressive Arts: Giving Voice to the Heart.
Once this connection is established, the heart’s voice is translated into tangible forms through expressive arts. Using imagery, colors, and other creative mediums, participants channel their emotions and inner narratives into physical expressions. These exercises help to:
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Externalize and process complex emotions.
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Reduce the reliance on words, which can often feel insufficient or overwhelming.
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Foster a sense of empowerment by transforming pain into creativity.
My Journey with HeartH.
The HeartH workshop is deeply personal to me. My own experiences and studies in these practices have illuminated their profound potential for healing. They have helped me – along my journey for recovery – and others reconnect with our inner selves in ways that feel safe, nurturing, and empowering.
Eating disorders often thrive on unexpressed emotions and unspoken pain. By creating a space for these emotions to surface—through movement, color, and stillness—we can gently guide individuals toward a healthier relationship with themselves and, in turn, with food.
Gratitude and Future Directions.
HeartH is part of a broader, itinerant project aimed at promoting social sustainability and mindfulness. By integrating meditative practices, awareness techniques, and expressive arts, the project seeks to foster healing in a holistic and inclusive way.
Collaborations with mental health professionals and organizations like Animenta strengthen this mission.
I am deeply grateful to Animenta for their trust and for creating accessible, inclusive spaces for dialogue and healing. Their work inspires and underscores the importance of community in addressing eating disorders on a national scale.
A Gentle Invitation.
If you are navigating your journey with an eating disorder or supporting someone who is, consider exploring practices that reconnect you with your inner world. Whether it’s through meditation, drawing, writing, or movement, these tools can complement therapeutic work and help bring light to emotions that often feel hidden.
Together, we can create spaces where our stories—and our hearts—are seen, heard, and celebrated.
Would you like to host the Workshop?
Are you part of an association, holistic center, or cultural organization interested in hosting the HeartH workshop? I would love to collaborate and bring this transformative experience to your community.
Feel free to reach out to me at spaziocalma.hello@gmail.com to discuss opportunities and details.
