Remember making art collages in elementary school — the ones where you ripped out a slew of old National Geographic pictures and carefully placed them in some order to create a collage on a the topic being studied in school? Those were the days eh?
Well, creating collages can also be a great way to give a fresh burst of new energy and direction to your fitness and training as well. I’d like to invite you to revisit collage-making days and this time it’ll be with a twist: Let’s create a collage of YOUR Inner Athlete. Let’s discover what your Inner Athlete means to you?
1. To get started you’ll need the following:
- One large piece of paper. You can use poster paper, newspaper, the inside of a brown paper bag or tape a few standard pieces of 8 x 11 together.
- A pile of magazines and catalogs. (Athleta catalogs work wonderfully for this!)
- A pair of scissors and glue stick.
2. Now, with the idea of your Inner Athlete as your intention, start to pore through your magazines. Don’t think too much, just move fast and tear the images out. Let the mystery guide your hands and try not to judge the images you feel attracted to pulling, just because some may feel different. Trust the process, and simply stay curious. Spend 5-10 minutes on this.
3. When you’re ready, start to sort through your images and glue them down. AGAIN, DON’T PLAN. Glue and move. Let your instinct guide you. What wants to go where? Glue them down. While you’re doing this, notice your thoughts, your body, and your energy. You’ll know when you’re done. If you’re unsure, ask yourself “Am I done?” and you will most likely know the answer. Again, trust the process all the way through to the end.
4. Next, communicate with your new Inner Athlete collage through writing. You can do this on a piece of paper or in a journal. Without judging. Be curious… almost as if you are looking at the collage of someone else. Start each sentence with “It appears that …”Again, allow yourself to simply write. Don’t judge. Just keep writing non-stop for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Next, identify any NEXT STEPS that came forward from your collage and write them down.
6. Hang your vision board in a place where you can gain daily inspiration. Use your collage as a pillar of strength and guidance.
As a runner, triathlete and coach, I create an Inner Athlete Vision Board every spring and winter to rejuvenate and refocus my energy. Below is an examples of my Vision Board.
Here is my journal thoughts using the starter “It appears that…”
It appears that you love to move. You love to move your arms and body. It makes you feel really good. It makes you feel really happy, full of life. Relieved. You want to shoot for the stars, reach the mountain tops, go for it all. It appears that you love the light, you want to feel the light, feel the raw emotion behind your body. It appears you want to fuel your body with right food from the earth. You want greens and goodies that the earth provides. It appears the center of your inner athlete is in your toes, your feet.. It appears you have wishes, you want your wishes to be a reality in your feet and body. It appears you have helpers that move your feet to perform their best. You want to feel the earth through your feet. You want to go far. It appears you want to use technology. It appears there is a lot of power in your legs. In your thighs, in your face, in your calves. It appears you want to feel your hair move with you. You love movement. It appears you want to feel more RAW movement. That it is the center and gold to you.
My next Steps from this are:
- Bring in some trail runs in my training.
- Look for a 5 or 10 trail run.
- Get good veggies at a Farmer’s Market.
- Make a wish before each run, and have that as my intention.
Now, I have an invitation for you: I’d love to see YOUR Inner Athlete Boards! We’ve created a Vision Board Gallery to share your visions, share your creativity and gain added inspiration from fellow female athletes. There are no right/wrong ways to create this board. It’s YOUR vision and makes it unique.
Click Here to Upload Your Vision Board »
This creative exercise was taken from the work of Intuitive Consultant and Artist Heather Bleasdell. You can learn more about Heather’s amazing creativity, intuitive consulting services and art through her website BuildAltars.com.
Vision Board Gallery
ANNE MARIE SEBASTIANI is an athlete, fitness writer, and creative life coach living in the Bay Area, where she also works for Athleta as a “try on” model during the design & development process. She helps individuals, buddies, and groups discover their inner athlete and limitless life potential through her coaching. You can learn more about Anne Marie through her blog GoalsForTheWeek.com and coaching site GFTWCoaching.blogspot.com.
At this moment I am more than 200 pounds overweight. I have been looking for something that would get me going to lose the weight and realize my goals toward a more active and athletic lifestyle. I am a photographer so this idea of putting together a visual tool that would help me move toward my goals is so amazing. I am planning on working on it this weekend. No time to waste. Thanks so much!!!
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I usually don’t go for these kinds of things but I’m actually moved by the writing portion and how well the writing and visuals go together…I’m intrigued enough to try it. Thanks Anne Marie!
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This is a wonderful tooll and one that I have not used before. I love the idea of making the “it appears” statements. You have incorporated so many things into your vision board and have motivated me to do the same.
And thanks for reminding me that my local farmer’s market is today!!
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This is great. I’m going to do this with my 6 year old. I’ll make one for me and let her make her own..maybe she’ll be an athlete or a fairing, we’ll let her choose her own path. I’ll get to focus on myself while she stays busy having fun cutting and pasting with mom…I love the journal part too, can’t wait to see what comes out of me and where the little goes with her intentions.
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Hi Everyone!
I love seeing the Inner Athlete Vision Boards showing up. I’m so inspired by your work! Thank YOU for sharing!
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Just so cool! I will definitely be giving this a try… and I think I’ll get the kids in on it by doing their own, too!
Can’t wait to see what we all come up with :)
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I love this…and I have a giant one on the back of my closet door. But now I want to make another one…a more fitness and sport oriented one. Where can I get Athleta catalouges….I can`t find a place for it.
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Sounds a lot like what I talk about here:
http://runninghood-amanda.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-do-we-do-it-and-athleta-inspiration.html
and here
http://runninghood-amanda.blogspot.com/2010/10/vision-collages-and-this-runners.html
and in many of my other posts. I’ll have to find one of my many vision collages or boards to share when I get a chance. I’ve done this for years and found it very helpful in focusing on my goals in life. Probably one of my most powerful tools I use in meditating, reflecting motivating, and reminding myself about what is important to me and why I mention them so often on my blog.
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I did my vision board at the start of the year with friends. We took over a dining room table for a few days and I did 3 boards on my wellness, professional life, and relationships as three areas to focus on. My wellness one is going solid almost 7 months into the year as I build up to returning to more strenuous yoga poses and decent race times as my infant gets older. Here was my start of the year post with a vlog on vision boarding and the board. http://bodhibear.net/2011/01/3-january-2011/
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I made one of these when I started my weight loss journey. It contained pictures of myself at the weight/size I wanted to be at and things I wanted to wear when I got there.
Now that I’m just about to the goal weight and can currently wear the items on my board, I love the idea of doing one that is fitness focused. I never thought to journal along with the board, so I’ll definitely give it a try!
Thanks for the great idea!
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I’m visiting from the Great Fitness Experiment blog…love this article. I’ve been working to lose weight post-baby and this would be just the thing to motivate me! Thanks!
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Hi!
Just checking in to say it’s great to hear of all your vision board ideas. Would LOVE to see you post your boards!
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This is functional AND inspires happiness! My way of thinking and living. What a great idea! I’m going to do it with my kids with Sports Illustrated KIDS and my Athleta Catalog!
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This is terrific – although my athletic endeavors are a bit more sedate, mainly exercise walking and walking/playing golf, your creative focus is very appealing. It reminds me how fulfilling I find both the outdoors and writing, and inspires me to do all the above. Thanks for the push, I was in the doldrums and needed a fresh, new idea to keep me going instead of the same old ineffective motivation!
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A vision board will be perfect for my 2012 goals!! Big Thanks!
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I finally had something to do with all those running and cycling magazines I’ve been “saving” for a rainy day!
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I teared up when I read this. I will make a wish before I run this morning. God bless you.
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