June 10, 2011
Corporate wellness professionals looking for a unique initiative in stress management programs should consider the ancient practice of labyrinth walking. Over 3500 years old, the labyrinth is an ancient symbol representing wholeness. When this symbol is transferred to the ground and walked with purpose, labyrinth walking provides an opportunity to slow down and turn attention inward, then return to the outside world feeling renewed and rejuvenated.
Because labyrinths provide many of the same benefits as meditation -- stress reduction, relaxation, inner stillness, emotional healing -- labyrinth walking is sometimes called a walking meditation. The slow twists and turns of labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity, allowing walkers to tap into their natural intuition and creativity. The activity’s value in the workplace for building teams, raising morale, resolving conflicts, and solving problems also has become recognized. Team walks, for example, allow employees to work together in envisioning different ways to approach challenge.
The traditional labyrinth has a curving path leading to a center point (called the goal). A labyrinth is not the same as a maze, which has dead ends and trick turns, but instead has only 1 path leading to the center and back out again; there are no dead ends. Of the 3 basic designs -- 7 circuit, 11 circuit, and 12 circuit -- the most common today is the 7 circuit.
Walkers move through the labyrinth at the pace that suits their mood or goal. The trip may be slow, skipping, energetic, celebratory, and even playful. On average a labyrinth walk takes 20-30 minutes, but it really depends on the individual.
After traveling along the path, the walker comes into the center goal. After spending time there in contemplation, the walker returns -- traveling an average of about 1/3 mile.
Walking the Path
There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth, as long as everyone respects other walkers on the path. Trained facilitators can help the novice walker learn to use the labyrinth, but experienced walkers set their own pace.
Whether a personal journey or a team walk, labyrinth walking has 3 stages:
Everyone’s experience is different. For some it may be immediate or emotional. Others may find hours or days pass before the energy moves through them to a point of recognition.
University of North Dakota’s Indoor Labyrinth
In 2006, the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks put a new carpet in their Wellness Center Quiet Room, with a labyrinth woven into the pattern. Kim Ruliffson (Coordinator of Work Well, the staff and faculty worksite wellness program) says, “On the day of our center’s grand opening, a facilitator oriented people to the labyrinth and answered questions. She encouraged people to give it a try. Some did. Others were not comfortable doing the walk in front of others but came back to use it privately. Wellness Center staff provided a 1-page handout on how to use the labyrinth.”
During the planning phase, Wellness Center staff consulted with Labyrinth Enterprises (www.labyrinthproject.com). In addition to online resources, the company offers facilitator training programs and can install labyrinths onsite.
Labyrinths do not have to be an elaborate construction. When the UND Wellness Center was planning for a new carpet, the extra cost for adding the labyrinth design was nominal. A similar approach could be taken with tile floors. Organizations have even created indoor labyrinth designs with masking tape or drawing on a large piece of cloth.
Stony Brook’s Red Dragon
There are even more options available for outdoor labyrinths. Edward O’Connell, Health Physicist, was the driving force behind constructing Stony Brook University’s (NY) 54-foot outdoor circuit labyrinth called the Red Dragon. Ed emphasizes that it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money and time. He and his friend, Episcopal Franciscan Priest Clark Berge, spent just 3 days building the labyrinth. Their only resources were a sod buster and red mulch at a total price of $500. Twice a year, volunteers perform basic maintenance and replenish the mulch.
Some labyrinth patterns are simply mowed into the lawn. Other outdoor options include stone, rope, sticks, or canvas.
Mobile labyrinths get mixed reviews, but as Kim says, “If that’s your only option, it’s better than nothing. Plus you can take them to special events. However, portable labyrinths often cannot be used outside or may be too large for some rooms.”
There are even small labyrinths that provide “walkers” with a similar experience through tracing the path of a labyrinth with their finger or a computer mouse on a computer screen or piece of paper.
Kim advises wellness professionals to consider 5 factors when choosing a labyrinth:
Kim and Ed stress the necessity of a persistent marketing campaign to management; leaders must support the labyrinth concept and encourage its use. And promoting to the target audience must be sustained throughout the year. Word-of-mouth is valuable but takes time. Ed partners with the University’s EAP office to offer monthly workshops on walking their labyrinth.
Stony Brook’s Red Dragon has become a valuable employee wellness resource. Ed summarizes his experience: “When I first started labyrinth walking, it just resonated with me. As a health physicist, teacher, and father, the tranquility and flowing movement of the labyrinth allow me a few minutes just for myself. I get centered, rooted, and reconnected with Nature. It has become my passion to introduce others in the community to this transformative experience. Because we’re all on the same path, people who may not normally come in contact with each other can share a few moments of this special type of interaction.”
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