Clay Squeeze and Smash
Materials Needed:
To Support Feeling:
Resentful
How to Do It
Take a piece of clay or playdough and spend a few minutes squeezing, twisting, and shaping it as a way to express your resentment. Once you’ve shaped the clay into something that represents your feelings, smash it with your hands or a mallet, imagining the resentment being broken down and dissipated with each blow.
Why It Works
The tactile sensation of working with clay, followed by the act of smashing it, provides a satisfying physical outlet for anger and resentment. This exercise allows you to destroy the negative energy in a controlled, symbolic way.
Guided Practice
Holding a piece of clay in your hands, take a few moments to breathe deeply and feel the weight and texture of the clay. Notice its coolness, its malleability, and how it responds to your touch squeezing the clay tightly, feeling it press against your fingers and palms. As you squeeze, notice any tension in your body and let the clay absorb it. Feel the resistance of the clay, the way it pushes back against your grip. Allow yourself to squeeze harder, noticing any sensations that arise in your hands, arms, or chest. When you feel ready, smash the clay onto a hard surface. Observe the sound, the sudden release, and the way the clay flattens and spreads. Stay with the experience, feeling the echo of the smash resonate through your body. Take a few moments to pause, noticing any changes in your body or breath. Maybe you feel the grounding sensation in your feet, the steadiness of your stance or maybe something else. When you’re ready, gently bring your awareness back to the room, feeling grounded and present.