In this occasional series on TanglePatterns, readers describe in their own words how Zentangle® has changed their lives. For more accounts in this series, click on the “STORIES” link in the pink alphabetic tangle index above.
Visit this post for the stories that inspired this series.
< : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : >
Recently I was introduced to the tangle Azteka by Cyndi Knapp. In her description she tells us, “And so I would not forget the step-out by morning, I found myself air-tangling in the dark to embed it in my mind.” Commenting on the post, Sharyn also mentioned her “air-tangling” practice.
Here is my story on the subject that I sometimes share with my Zentangle® students who are in need of a calming influence.
Some time ago, I had early stage breast cancer. The main surgery required a pre-op procedure before a general anesthesia was administered. Let’s just say the pre-op procedure was invasive and required using a local anesthetic.
While preparing for the pre-op, I was introduced to a doctor who reviewed my severe allergies to several common local anesthetics. She was concerned that I might also be allergic to several others on hand, except that I’d never been exposed to them yet. She gave me the choice of 1) rescheduling all the day’s events to have the pre-op done under general anesthesia or 2) having the pre-op done with no anesthesia at all. I choose the latter. So, I was given a muscle relaxer and told to make myself comfortable.
What can be more comforting than tangling — but if that is not possible, air-tangling? I focused on a light switch and air-tangled it with soothing S and C strokes. I must have closed my eyes and nodded off because the next thing I remember is someone in the OR saying “Is she still with us?” meaning “Has she passed out?”
The surgeon asked me a few questions like “What’s your name?” and “Where are you?” I answered her questions and the doctor announced, “She’s fine.” Then the doctor told me, “I don’t know what you’re doing but keep doing it.”
For the remainder of the pre-op procedure, I air-tangled a fire sprinkler head on the ceiling. I felt no pain. As I was wheeled to another room, I heard someone say, “Her blood pressure didn’t even change.” Then the plan proceeded and I was given a general anesthetic to remove the cancer.
So, to all of you who air-tangle when the real thing is impossible, keep it up. Your body will thank you.”
~ Linda Dochter, CZT
< : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : > : < : >
If you would like to share your own experience for this series, please email me (linda [at] tanglepatterns [dot] com). You can make your story as long as or short as you like and if you wish your personal details to remain private, I will certainly honor that.
By publishing your “testimonials”, I’m hoping it will help spread the word about Zentangle to many others who can REALLY benefit from it. As the Zentangle founders say, “Anything is possible, one stroke at a time.”™
|
.oOo. |
|
Enhance your Zentangle experience while supporting TanglePatterns: |
|
CURRENT EDITION! TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, 2024 Edition |
|
 |
The 13th Edition of the TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE is an instant-download 109-page interactive digital eBook/PDF containing approximately 2,000 tangles on the site from May 2010 through December 31, 2023. It's a great resource and a must-have digital tool for using the site. Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page and help keep TanglePatterns.com going by getting your copy now! |
|
"Linda, Thank you! I was relying on too few and getting stuck after 3 years of daily working with Zentangle. This has inspired me to ‘begin again’ with renewed excitement." ~ Barbara R. |
|
| See the BOOK REVIEWS page for more details on its features and view a sample page. Note: this is a digital product you download immediately when you place your order, nothing will be physically mailed to you. | |
| GIFT ORDERS FOR ANOTHER PERSON: To give the TANGLE GUIDE as a gift, visit this page to place your gift order. | |
| If you're new to Zentangle® and tangling, my TanglePatterns.com BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ZENTANGLE is just what you need to get started. Also available en Français and en Español. | |
|
|
|
 |
This is the only Zentangle book you'll ever need: the fabulous Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1. It's your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle®. Visit the STORE tab on the top menu bar or click on the image. For more about the content and to read the rave reviews, visit the BOOK REVIEWS tab. |
| NEW! Now available in KINDLE format for $9.99. Spanish Edition here. Japanese Edition here. | |
| "Absolutely the best Zentangle Book yet! As an accomplished artist I used to think I did not need instruction on this art form. How wrong I was! My tangling improved by leaps and bounds after reading this book. If you think you have Zentangle down then you need this book more than ever!" ~ Kris H | |
|
|
|
|
.oOo. |
|
April 14, 2019 | 
More like this: 
There’s a book titled “Your Body Believes Every Word You Say” (Barbara Hoberman Levine, October, 2000, available on Amazon at many different price points), and in it, the author states that our bodies will and do respond to whatever we think toward it, knowingly or unknowingly. I’m sure the process of air-tangling has to be very relaxing to the mind, so the body follows suit and relaxes. I have a severely damaged, therefore always painful dominant shoulder/arm/hand, and while I have often tried to convince myself that everything is now healed, one cannot lie about their condition, and that’s not what Ms. Levine is telling the readers.
It’s an excellent book, but I would get much too wordy, so will leave it for those interested to read it for themselves.
Thank you for your insight, Joyce.
Linda