We were so inspired by the results of a recent study by Dr. Meredith Yuhas and her assistant, Allyson Cooper, that we want to ask you to help out with another research project of theirs. 

 

Dr. Yuhas wants to collect information that can help us further understand how people use Zentangle, including as a mindfulness activity, and gain further insights into the benefits of using the Zentangle method.

 

"Mindfulness" is that state of relaxed focus that almost immediately occurs when you create something according to the Zentangle method. With Zentangle, you can deliberately shift your attention into that beneficial inner stance without medication or doctrine.

 

Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program at UMass Medical Center, writes,

 

"Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." 

 

In other words, even if you never heard the term "mindfulness" you've probably experienced it if you've created Zentangle art.

 

This survey is anonymous and should only take about 5-10 minutes of your time. If you'd like to participate please to to this link.  

 

This survey will close on Friday, August 31, 2012.

 

Thank you so much for helping out. 

 

Here's a switch! With this new tangle we're not going to tell you how it's done. We'll do that next week. In the meantime we're challenging you to figure out its steps.

This is a versatile tangle with the possibility of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or any number of "corners." No matter how many corners, the steps are all done exactly the same way.

Can you figure out how? There are no grids, no dots, no pencil, no eraser, just pure Zentangle magic . . . one stroke at a time.

We have been having so much fun playing with this new tangle. Here's a look at some of them laid out on our kitchen table:

Here's a closer look. This isn't even half of what we've been exploring!

These nine tiles show a variety of numbers of corners or points, and some variations:

Here are a few close-ups of ones we've done. Many of these are variations and expansions of the original tangle.

Go to our blog, "New Tangle _____" and post a link to a picture of your "step-out". (By "step-out" we mean the step-by-step visual instructions like for pea-nuckle in this recent newsletter.)

We'll send a Zentangle Coaster Set to the first person to post this tangle's steps. (If we have a way of getting in touch with you.)

Hint: aura and hollibaugh!

Rick and Maria