The Impact of Skating on My Creative Process

Skating is a powerful example of how physical health and artistic performance intersect, particularly in its ability to promote physical well-being and emotional healing. It requires coordination, balance, and strength, contributing to improved physical health. Engaging in skating can enhance cardiovascular fitness, build muscle tone, and improve overall flexibility. These physical benefits are crucial for maintaining the stamina and vitality needed for artistic performance.

Artists often rely on their physical capabilities—whether it's the precision of a dancer’s movements, the endurance needed for a musician’s practice sessions, or the dexterity needed for visual arts. Good physical health supports mental clarity and emotional stability, which can be essential for managing the emotional demands of artistic expression. Additionally, focusing on physical health can greatly benefit healing from trauma; activities that promote bodily wellness, such as exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest, help regulate stress and emotional imbalances. This holistic approach not only aids in recovery but also enhances an artist’s ability to channel their experiences into their work, fostering a deeper connection to their craft.

After enduring traumatic events, skating was exactly what I needed to recover emotionally, mentally, and physically. It restored my bodily autonomy, translating into healing from trauma and advancing my artistic process. Just as skating involves balance, coordination, and strength, these physical attributes have enhanced my dexterity and control in the glass studio. Since glassblowing requires full-body coordination, staying physically healthy and present in the moment are essential skills in my career. A balanced mind and a fit body support the creativity, stamina, and skill needed for this demanding craft.

The “flow state” I developed and improved through skating—characterized by complete immersion and effortless engagement—has been pivotal in my creative work and recovery from trauma. This mental state has improved my focus and allowed for greater creativity in my glassblowing practice.

Understanding the Flow State

Skating is a powerful way to achieve the flow state—a mental “zone” of heightened focus and effortless involvement. This state enhances artistic expression and offers therapeutic benefits by relieving stress and emotional tension. For trauma recovery, it provides an immersive escape and regulates the nervous system, fostering mindfulness and resilience.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's research shows that flow states improve creativity and problem-solving. Physical activities like skating boost mood, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive function, facilitating the flow and elevating creative abilities.

The rhythm and coordination from my flow state in skating improve my precision in glassblowing, enabling me to explore new techniques. After enduring abuse, assault, and a major car accident, skating has been a profound way to regain control and express myself in a safe, enjoyable environment.

Health and Its Impact on Artistic Performance

However, regular exercise has been shown to improve brain health by increasing blood flow, promoting the growth of new neural connections, and reducing stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that physical activity enhances cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Through my experience with trauma, I have grown in my experience with skating not only as a form of exercise but also as a way of healing.

Enhancing Creativity Through Physical Activity

For your entertainment, here is an image of baby Shannon in 2005,
skating with her friends at Skate Whirl, the hometown skating rink.
Hint: Black and red hat with all-black clothes.

A Final Note

Stay tuned for updates on how my glass work and skating are coming together in innovative ways.

Follow my artist’s Instagram HERE.

Resources

Follow my skating Instagram here.

Check out my favorite skating rinks in the Seattle area:  Lynnwood Bowl and Skate | El Centro | Southgate Roller Rink

Further Reading

• Friedman, Matthew J. "Physical Exercise as a Potentially Useful Component of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment." Lifestyle Psychiatry, edited by Douglas L. Noordsy, M.D., American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2020, pp. 87-102.

• Antolasic, Emily J., Emily J. Jaehne, and Maarten van den Buuse. "Interaction of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Exercise, and Fear Extinction: Implications for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Current Neuropharmacology, vol. 22, no. 4, 2024, pp. 543-556. Bentham Science Publishers, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37491857/.