Why Creating Body Impressions Feels SO Good (and What It’s Really Doing for us)

I definitely didn’t start doing body impressions because I thought it would be calming or 'therapeutic', I was just drawn the process, that surprise element - the imprint my body left behind on the paper...

There’s something about doing them: carving out some private time, smothering yourself in paint, pressing into the paper. Being fully present, in the zone, and deeply invested. It’s creative, yes- but it also does something more.

Over time, I’ve started to understand that this process taps into the senses in a really meaningful way, and that might be why people come away from it feeling lighter, more grounded, and sometimes even emotional (in the best way).

It’s sensory - and the body,and Mind, love that!

We don’t often get to interact with our bodies in this way. The paint or oil on skin, the pressure as you press, the quiet stillness before you peel away- it’s all tactile. And your nervous system takes notice.

That pressure you feel when making an impression is known as deep pressure stimulation. It’s the same reason a weighted blanket or a long hug can be calming. It helps regulate the body and bring the mind into a more relaxed state. That grounded, clear feeling people talk about after their session, this is often where it comes from.

It’s a chance to drop out of your head and into your body.

So many of us spend our time up in our heads - just being busy, overthinking, worrying about how we look or what others might think. A friend recently popped over for a cuppa, she told me that, although her life looks great on paper (and others probably assume she’s happy) most of the time she feels out of body - like she’s detached from herself, that her life is 'just happening' around her. I felt heavy when she told me that, and it made me reflect more deeply on what I am doing, and what these sessions actually help me and others with.

What I came to realise is that this process is how I get grounded and into my body. Its why I keep coming back, and its why I feel so deeply about sharing it, because, for a little while, you get back to yourself, to move, to feel, and to create without judgement. It connects you back to who and what you are, and that is incredibly nourishing..

There’s no pressure to perform or get it right. You don’t need to 'be good at art' or to have a specific pose in mind, or even feel totally confident about the whole thing. It’s about the experience as much as the art. It's about restorative and grounding practice which produces something from you, from your body. (I think) Its beautiful.

Of course, the final piece matters. The artwork itself is bold, personal, and often surprisingly pleasing. But what stays with me and people I create this kind of art with, is how it felt to make- the change in mood and energy that continues well after the session.

PRIMAL - Orignal artwrok

It’s messy in a playful way. It’s calming in a way that catches you off guard. And it leaves you with something that isn’t just visual, it’s emotional. A moment captured in paint that reminds us: this is my body, and it deserves to be seen, to be celebrated and to be loved.

So really, It makes sense that this feels good, because we’re wired for it!

The more I’ve learned about how the senses help regulate mood, the more this process makes sense!

Whether it’s the tactile experience, the creative freedom, or simply the chance to slow down and reconnect with yourself - the benefits go far beyond the artwork.

They’re subtle, sensory, and deeply personal.

So if you’re drawn to this (even if it’s hard to explain why) follow that.

You don’t need to be artistic. You don’t need to be body confident. You just need to show up as you are. The rest happens from there.

If you want to find out more, or book a 1:1 session, Click the Link below, I would Love to hear from you ...

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Beth xx