Body Mapping and Embodied Reflexivity in creative inquiry

Body mapping is an arts-based qualitative research method where participants trace life-sized body outlines on paper or canvas and fill them with colours, drawings, and symbols. Participants are encouraged to visually represent their lived physical, emotional, and social experiences in such activities.

Core characteristics of body mapping are 1) embodied storytelling to connect physical sensations, mental states, and social conditions; 2) non-verbal expression to help people share negative, complex, or sensitive topics that are hard to describe with words alone; 3) participant-led: as participants are in control of their own narrative and artistic choices.

In a current workshop on Mapping Well-being Through Creative Movement Inquiry at the University of Auckland, we explore two ways of relating to the body. The activity includes a large collective body where participants contribute their experiences to a life-size body outline on the floor and to a smaller version on paper. Participants has the opportunity to explore inside and outside spaces, within and without boundaries of their own personal experiences and the group experience.

We continued the series with emotions. This collective work reminded me that emotions are not just felt; they can be explored, understood, and expressed through movement. Every gesture, pause, and interaction became part of a journey of self-discovery, connection, and reflection. Well-being can be nurtured through self-expression, mindful movement, and reconnecting with our bodies. Moving freely without judgment created space for reflection, emotional awareness, and creativity. It was inspiring to experience how simple movements can foster a sense of balance, joy, and connection, not only with ourselves but also with those around us.

It's interesting to explore another way of mapping our bodies without relying on outlines, to consider how we can "un-shape" the body and mind through the creative process. Facilitating a community workshop requires a careful balance. We often feel the need to provide as many instructions as possible because we worry that participants won't know what to do. Yet this is often where creativity begins to diminish. Instead of initiating their own creative process, participants may follow our guidance. By leaving room for uncertainty and exploration, we create space for participants to make their own discoveries and develop their own creative responses.

References:

Gastaldo D, Magalhaes L, Carrasco C, Davy C. Body-map storytelling as research: Methodological considerations for telling the stories of undocumented workers through body mapping. Toronto. 2012. Available at: http://www.migrationhealth.ca/sites/default/files/Body-map_storytelling_as_reseach_HQ.pdf.

Murray, A., Steffen, M., Keiller, E., Turri, M. G., & Lau, J. Y. F. (2023). Body mapping for arts-based inquiry in mental health research: a scoping review. The Lancet. Psychiatry, 10(11), 896–908. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00224-9

A participant explores the inner and outer experience of their body map.

@TheNightOwl - 22/08/2026