Labyrinths: Ancient Aid for Modern Stresses More than a relaxing pastime, walking a labyrinth can be good for your health, too. (continued) Labyrinth Walking Benefits Strolling through a labyrinth can help you feel the relaxation response, which is the opposite of the stress fight or flight state, says Herbert Benson, MD, founder of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of Relaxation Revolution. More than 30 years of research shows that the relaxation response brings slower breathing, a slower heart rate, and lower blood pressure, among other things, Benson says. Lorelei King, RN, former director of surgery at Mercy Hospital in Grayling, MI, says shes seen firsthand the impact on patients who walk the hospitals labyrinth. You can visually see them relax. Afterward, when I take their pulse, its often slowed down dramatically. Ive also had many patients tell me that their pain has decreased after walking the labyrinth. How to Use a Labyrinth Curious whether walking a labyrinth might ease your stress? King suggests these tips to get started. Before entering. Consider a contemplative question, prayer, or favorite image to hold in your mind before you step into the labyrinth and begin walking. While walking. Just follow the path. As you concentrate on your steps, everything else can melt away. Upon reaching the center. Sit or stand with your eyes closed or looking downward. Take three deep breaths, and in silence ask yourself: What am I feeling right now How to Use a Labyrinth continued... Walking back. Bring to mind again the contemplative question, prayer, or favorite image you began with. After walking. Try journaling about your labyrinth experience. What did you discover? What changed from the time you entered to the time you exited the labyrinth? Here are a few images of different types of Labyrinths and how they are used
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 23:45:00 +0000
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