What is Bilateral Drawing?
A Client’s bilateral drawing of her inhales and exhales.
Bilateral drawing is a therapeutic technique that involves using both hands at the same time to create marks, shapes, or patterns on a surface. It may sound simple, but the impact of this practice can be profound. By engaging both hands in the drawing process, we activate and integrate both hemispheres of the brain—each of which serves different functions and processes different types of information. This simultaneous activation promotes a sense of balance and harmony within the brain, making it an effective tool for a range of therapeutic applications.
The practice of bilateral drawing is often characterized by the rhythmic and repetitive motion of using both hands. This motion can have a calming effect on your nervous system, similar to other repetitive activities like walking or knitting. As you create with both hands, the movements naturally encourage a deeper sense of relaxation and mindfulness, allowing you to become more present and centered in the moment.
When the left hand is used, it activates the right side of the brain, which is responsible for creative and emotional processing. Conversely, when the right hand is used, it engages the left side, which manages logical and analytical thinking. By working with both hands simultaneously, bilateral drawing promotes a seamless dialogue between these two hemispheres, encouraging brain integration and balance.
Bilateral stimulation is one of the main focuses of the popular EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy. Drawing with both hands would be considered under this same principle of bilateral stimulation.
In the example above, my client focused on her inhales/exhales and how it felt in her body. She chose paint stick colors that resonated with her and drew with both hands. To her, it became a moving meditation, really being present with her breath and sensations. After the exercise, she felt more calm and more grounded in her anxious body. She felt it was a very soothing activity to draw with both hands.
