By Patty Kohler-Evans EdD, Deanna Kay Rice, PhD, and Stephanie R. Sorbet, EdD
A labyrinth is an ancient archetype with a singular meandering path that leads from an outer edge to a center. Unlike a maze, which is designed to puzzle or confuse, a labyrinth has one path in and one path out. For 4,000 years or more, the labyrinth has been used as a practice that incorporates walking, silence, and meditation among other things. Labyrinths are found in every culture and on nearly every continent. Increasingly, labyrinths can be found on university campuses and can be built from a variety of materials. Labyrinths can also be permanent or portable.
Because labyrinths can foster a sense of well-being and inner calmness, they serve as wonderful tools in assisting students to find quiet, foster peace, and to reduce stress. During the last two decades, research in the use of the labyrinth supports its effectiveness as a way to establish calmness, reduce anxiety, and heighten creativity (Danielson, 2004; Rhodes, 2011; Devito & Dunlap, 2012), as well as bring mindful practices to students and faculty (Bright & Pokorny, 2012). Students who were recently introduced to the labyrinth for the first time on our campus had this to say:
"I want to start out by saying I loved the labyrinth experience. It was the peace I needed after this tough semester. Though I’m not much of a spiritual person, I felt at peace with the prolonged moment of silence. It’s hard to find moments like that nowadays." Mariah
"My experience with the labyrinth allowed me to take a moment to escape from my reality. It was a great way to get the day started!" Jazmine
This Magna Online Seminar is $39 for individual, on-demand, one-week access.
In this seminar, see how practicing mindfulness in the classroom can restore focus and attention. The seminar demonstrates several strategies for promoting mindfulness that are simple, easy-to-adopt, and effective. Educators can teach these practices to help their students focus on the present in the present, with improved learning as the outcome.
After viewing this Magna Online Seminar, you'll learn:
Several concrete, creative, and nuanced ideas that can be easily and immediately applied
How to make use of the…pregnant…pause…to focus…attention
How you can be present in the moment during time away from the classroom
How to promote a pleasant climate of focused attention to improve the learning process
How
seating arrangements can affect energy flow and feelings of inclusion or exclusion
How mindfulness can lead to greater kindness and compassion toward others
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