World Origami Day: How practising origami aids mindfulness

Tracing its origins to Japan, origami - the art of folding paper - is practised across the globe for decorative and ceremonial purposes. Its growing popularity across the globe eventually led to November 11 being observed as World Origami Day. Whether it's a paper plane or boat, many of us have tried our hand at this humble art form.

"What drew me to origami was its simplicity. You don't need special tools or paper. Just use what you have access to, and this is where the appeal lies, whether you're a master or a beginner," shares Himanshu Agrawal, a Mumbai-based origami practitioner with an experience of over 30 years. Under his studio Orukami, he creates bespoke sculptures, art installations, and conducts workshops.

Over the course of his multi-decade practice, Himanshu Agrawal experimented with large sculptures. He created this 20 feet deer in 2015. Photo credits: Himanshu Agrawal/orukami.com

When asked what fuels his drive after all these years, he says, "We can never know everything about a subject. I try to constantly challenge myself. I find my practice to be extremely peaceful, and truly believe that I didn't choose the art, but it chose me. I don't even think that I've to fold today. I have an impulse to fold even if I have a few minutes free."

Agrawal isn't the only one who finds his practice meditative. Known for aiding fine motor skills development, and supporting mental concentration among kids, the art form is also known to be a soothing and calming activity for adults. "In India, there is a perception that origami is only for kids, not grown-ups. I feel origami has a child-like wonder, but is not childish. Many people who dedicate enough time, and practice can reap the benefits of being truly mindful," shares Agrawal.

The art of origami is associated with feelings of calmness, and is often found to be therapeutic by practitoners. Yogi by Himanshu Agrawal. Photo Credits: Himanshu Agrawal/orukami.com

During the pandemic, several people turned to hobbies to occupy themselves, and cultivate mindfulness in their lives. While some turned to baking or gardening, others turned to art forms such as origami. "Mindfulness is the ability to be present with our moment to moment experience with non-judgment, compassion and awareness. We can be mindful while walking, bringing awareness to the steps or our surroundings. How mindfully we do any activity or partake in a hobby, can help us in gradually rewiring our brain to be more focused, relaxed and creative in general," explains Geetika Arora, a certified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy life coach.

Neha Kalra, a 27-year-old finance professional, works long hours at her demanding job. Arora has been setting aside a couple of hours a week to practise some basic folds, and uses that time to re-center her focus to the present. "I have ten tasks to complete on any given work day, and my mind is always racing. Simply working with my hands allows me to zone out and just focus on the paper at hand." Kalra says that not being obsessed over the final result but enjoying the process has helped her concentration levels, "The experience is different from different aspects of my result-oriented life and is liberating. I sincerely hope I keep doing it."

Practicing any activity mindfully can help us in gradually rewiring our brain to be more focused, relaxed and creative in general, says mindfulness expert Geetika Arora. Photo credits: Geetika Arora

When asked what makes origami an effective mindfulness tool, mindfulness expert Arora explains, "Origami has been studied as a tool for children for many years in the Japanese culture to develop creativity, visualisation skills and concentration. It is a great mindfulness tool that can be adapted for adults to cultivate the same skills of ‘focused attention'. Origami requires the individual to immerse into the art form with all five senses bringing a heightened moment of awareness in the present - the cornerstone skill of mindfulness. For those who struggle with resting the mind on the breath during a meditation- the movements of the hand, the visuals of the folds, the tactile sensations of the paper can be a wonderful way to train the ‘monkey mind' to rest on these sensations and the object being created. With the peaceful craft, it becomes a meditation by itself encouraging the letting go of self-judgement or perfectionism."

Tanya Saluja is a Mumbai-based media professional who struggles with anxiety. The 32-year-old was introduced to origami by a friend during the pandemic, and she hasn't looked back since. "I have struggled with anxiety for years, which got exacerbated during the pandemic. It was becoming increasingly difficult for me to practice mindfulness. When a friend suggested origami, I was sceptical. After about three years, I can safely say that I could never imagine that something as simple as folding paper would be so therapeutic for me. Sometimes I play soothing rain sounds in the background which helps me keep any other thoughts at bay," shares Saluja.

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