OVER 100 walkers put their best feet forward to celebrate World Labyrinth Day as they discovered a pathway to hope, healing and transformation.
A special pop-up labyrinth was brought to life in Bangor’s Ward Park by the Labyrinth Collective’s Victoria Croft, from Bangor, and Julia Graham, from Millisle.
Walkers used the path as a moving meditation, guiding their attention to the experience of the walk, as they connected with the earth and themselves, last Saturday afternoon.
Labyrinths are ancient meditative structures consisting of a single winding pathway that leads to the centre point and back out again. They have been used across the world for centuries as a way to quiet the mind, ease anxiety, recover life balance, enhance creativity and boost insight.
Unlike a maze, a labyrinth does not have any dead ends or choices, its purpose is to help each person find calm and clarity.
Victoria, who is an occupational therapist, and Julia, a psychotherapist, shared how labyrinths have helped them find calm, clarity and connection during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
“I got into labyrinth walking when I was going through breast cancer treatment,” said Victoria. “I was searching for meaning and hope and I couldn’t get out much to exercise so I started looking at finger labyrinths.
“It is a simple meditation where you run your finger around it slowly and calmly, noticing your breath. It helped me to find my way on the path and I thought let’s see if there is anybody with a similar interest.”
Julia explained that it was after her mum’s passing that she embarked on her labyrinth journey.
“I was living in the States and it was my first birthday after my mum’s passing and I went to find this labyrinth that I had passed on the road.
“There are quite a lot of labyrinths over there that are public. At this labyrinth there were lots of beautiful flowers and plants, my mum was into flowers and plants.
“I felt it was a really peaceful experience connecting with my mum and connecting with my grief and loss of love. I built a labyrinth in my own property in the States and it became a daily practice.”
Together the two friends set up the Labyrinth Collective, and have hosted a series of labyrinth experiences and workshops at venues such as Stormont’s Great Hall and on Millisle beach.
Victoria explained they have come a long way since their first labyrinth which was attended by 12 people. They have organised labyrinths for a wide range of groups including health workers such as midwives and occupational therapists.
She explained: “In a maze you can get lost and confused, but the labyrinth represents clarity and calm. You put one foot in front of another, you find your path, it is a metaphor for life.”
Highlighting the benefits of labyrinth walking Victoria said: “When you look at data on labyrinths globally, it has a cumulative effect, when you practise it on a regular basis it increases a sense of belonging and emotional regulation.
“There is also co-regulation, teenagers are able to observe older walkers on the labyrinth taking their time, they are sharing the path. It is low cost and high impact and you are giving people access to these tools.”
The duo are keen to see a permanent labyrinth in the borough and are currently in the early stages of exploring the possiblity of having a labyrinth at Stormont.
“Politicians could walk the labyrinth, they are all equal on the path,” said Victoria.
Julia added: “Labyrinths were used in South Africa throughout the peace and reconciliation process.”
For further information and to contact the Labyrinth Collective log on to the website: www.labyrinthcollective.co.uk.
