Reflections On Balloon Twisting
ServiceSpace
--Nivendra- Uduman
4 minute read
Sep 2, 2014

 



Reflections on Balloon Twisting

I began balloon twisting in January,2014, not so long ago after being inspired by a clown from Australia on Christmas eve. The first animal I created was a dog, and then the rest followed. A swan, a parrot, a giraffe, an elephant, sword, a flower, a honey bee, a butterfly, a cat and the list goes on. There were the occasional balloons that popped and there still are the random balloons that pop due to various reasons. However now,balloon twisting has become an art for me, to express my self, channel for my creative energy, and also provides me a great sense of well-being and self esteem. Balloons, whatever colour they maybe,they inspire me, they challenge me, they bring out the best in me,and of course above all, they make me happy.

I was reflecting recently on what balloon twisting has taught me and how it has changed me as a person.There is a great deal of growth that I have felt after I began twisting balloons into various shapes and forms, and with each balloon I model, therein lies a new sense of confidence and pride. Have something to call mine, accomplished with my own ability and creativity, and the model that finally forms after many twists is product of me practising gentleness, mindfulness, patience, respect,courage and sensitivity.


Balloon twisting has made me see that being gentle is not only limited to human beings and animals but inanimate objects also deserve gentleness. A balloon must be handled gently, with a great deal of care, to prevent it from popping, or from being damaged. A damaged balloon is of very little use. If the balloon is twisted with force, or in a rough manner, there is a high likelihood of it popping. One might complete twisting the balloon,but still, one needs to be gentle and careful in handling the balloon. It's gentleness all the way.


The ability to slow down, and be mindful of the present moment is also important to be able to twist balloons successfully. Fast and haphazard twisting would only resulting a careless finish, and most often a loud unwelcome pop. However,I've found it important to just slow down, and to focus my attention on each and every bubble, and every twist so that the balloon gets formed smoothly. This helps me complete each motion, before moving onto the next one. One twist partially done could cause the entire balloon to unravel. Breathing is also an essential part of balloon twisting and slow, deep breathing helps me relax, and therefore the balloon also appears to be easier to handle.


Respect is also another important feature in balloon twisting. You respect the balloon and the balloon respects you. You treat it with care, it treats you with care. If you press to hard, it pops, if you have long unruly nails, it pops, if you inflate it too much, it pops. Respecting the limitations of a balloon, leaves space for wonderful creations to take place, and respecting your limitations also helps. I have realized that it is important to know when to let go, when to let some air out, and when to leave a balloon be for a while and then come back to it later,after rejuvenating one's self. Respecting the balloon even after the model is completed is necessary, and if not there is a high likelihood of it popping prematurely.


There is a need for sensitivity when twisting balloons. Sensitivity to touch, to pressure, to sound and also to the way a balloon responds. Sensitivity develops with practice and time. I believe that this also transforms into one’s personal life. Courage is also something that plays an important role in my experience with balloon modelling because there is a fear that balloon may pop, or that I might get stuck halfway through the design, but courage and the will to get it right, keeps me going, and the feeling after completing the model is quite awe striking. This is like an adrenalin rush, and it motivates me to do more, and better each time.


Thank you Brett, for showing me the ropes initially, and of course SebringSage on You-tube for the continuing professional development, not forgetting family and friends for constant encouragement. I also must mention my clown partner back in India, Harish, and the memories of twisting balloons together with him in many hospital wards, and laughing at each other when they popped, will always remain special.


Balloon twisting is awesome, you should try it too.  

 

Posted by Nivendra- Uduman on Sep 2, 2014


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