The practice of origami is known to aid fine motor skills development, and supporting mental concentration among kids as well. Photo/iStock
Mumbai-based Himanshu Agrawal has been an origami practitioner for over 30 years, and creates bespoke sculptures, art installations, and conducts workshops under his studio Orukami. When asked to define the appeal of this art form, he shares, "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". Photo/Himanshu Agrawal/orukami.com
In addition to being beneficial for kids, origami continues to be practiced by adults for myriad reasons. Some are hobbyists who wish to perfect their folds, while many wish to improve their spatial and creative skills. Photo/iStock
Mental health took a dip during the pandemic, as a rise in anxiety and stress levels was reported across the globe. While several people found solace in cultivating hobbies such as gardening, and baking, many also turned to origami to de-stress. Photo/Himanshu Agrawal/orukami.com
Many practitioners find origami to be meditative, and the art-form has been associated with feelings of calmness for long. "I find my practice to be extremely peaceful. 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,” says Agrawal. Geetika Arora, a certified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy life coach says that origami can be an excellent way to cultivate mindfulness. "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,” she explains. Photo/iStock
Adults can cultivate the skill of focussed attention through regular practice, according to Arora. She adds, " 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- 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. " Photo/Himanshu Agrawal/orukami.com
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 (c) orukami_d.jpg "Mental health took a dip during the pandemic, as a rise in anxiety and stress levels was reported across the globe. While several people found solace in cultivating hobbies such as gardening, and baking, many also turned to origami to de-stress. Photo/Himanshu Agrawal/orukami.com")
