All good things must come to an end, and in May we had the final weekend of of my RYT 300 yoga teacher training. As a yearly intensive it’s been a wild ride with a small group of women that I have come to think of as sisters. My yoga family. We’ve shared so much this year. From health issues, to changing careers, marriages ending, relationships blooming, independence gained and confidence discovered. So many changes, and so much growth I am truly honored to call these ladies friends. They inspire me more than they could know. I told them as much when we were building a labyrinth at the beach.
What is a labyrinth?
As part of our final weekend, it aptly ended with a day at the beach building a labyrinth, as part of our philosophy module. For those not in the know, labyrinths are used for meditation. They are also a metaphor for life struggles as just when you think you’re near the goal, you are actually the furthest away! We started our day bright and early on Sunday morning at the yoga studio and set up a carpool arriving at the beach in Ventura 45 minute drive later.
Building a labyrinth
We all came prepared with shovels, and Jeni had a marker for the circles. She set about making the circles and us students dug out the walkways and created the “walls”. Once the concentric circles were made directional lines were drawn for north, south, east and west.
While Michelle and Jeni took the lead with this, I went off in search of things to photograph. Seriously I could photograph things all day. One of my new goals moving forward is a “photography trip” each month. From the beautiful and ever changing ocean, to the birds and wildlife on the beach there is so much to see and appreciate. Once the four directions are done it’s time to follow the plan and add/remove walls to create the maze like structure of the labyrinth. Then we chose to decorate! Building a labyrinth is fun.
Walking the labyrinth
After a well earned lunch break we then gathered to walk the labyrinth. While I don’t have photos of this, it was such a great meditative experience. We all walked through the labyrinth to the center and then held hands creating a circle. In that circle we shared our thoughts about the year. Sentiments of support and love were expressed, we cried, we laughed, we hugged and we finally parted ways back through the labyrinth. Another metaphor of how we now part ways from each other, not just in yoga, but in life. And now I find myself crying again writing this. It was an emotional day!
Friends Forever
Having had this bunch of ladies to lean on and learn from this year was amazing. While we will ALWAYS be friends we won’t be meeting multiple times a week to study anymore. We won’t be taking trips together, going to the beach, or the Indian film festival, temples, or museums. It honestly feels like part of me is ending as we bring the years training to a close. We have just a couple of weeks until our final exam and case study presentations and then we’re done. We’re on our own.
I’m determined to keep us connected. So… Sarah, Vanessa, Diana, Hilary, Michelle and Mariana…. get ready for the bimonthly RYT300 reunion! We WILL be seeing each other again soon. I love you all too much to let you go.
QUESTIONS
Have you walked a labyrinth before?
What’s your favorite thing to do at the beach?
How do you stay in touch with close friends?
Gardein Teriyaki Chick’n & Vegetable Kebabs
Tiffany D
Such a beautiful experience to share with girlfriends! I haven’t actually walked a labyrinth before and I wasn’t aware of it until right now, but I love the concept! I’m a certified beach bum so I’m usually floating in the ocean or laying down with my eyes closed just taking in the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves. It’s so calming.
Di Hickman
I agree I love the ocean too!
David Allen Elliott
I have seen gardens that were labyrinths but I have never seen one done at a beach before. I know my daughter and I love digging, but I would love to try this out. It looks like so much fun. We will have to try it the next time at the beach.
Di Hickman
Definitely something fun to do, rather than just laying out on the beach
Prajakta Sharma
Wow thats such a cool thing to make…lovd your idea. How long did it take to make it?
Di Hickman
There were 7 of us, and it took about 90 minutes
Hieu Le
That’s so large a labyrinth! I have tried before but not this large! How long did it take you to finish?
Di Hickman
There were 7 of us, and it took about 90 minutes
Angela Tolsma
I have never done a walking labyrinth. But it sounds like a fantastic way to meditate! Photo trips are so awesome and you should totally do it monthly!
Di Hickman
I already planned my next photo day! June 15th – hold me to it!
Wendy
Cool! That must have been fun! We have plenty of beautiful beaches here but never thought of making labyrinth. Might try it next time
Di Hickman
Definitely more interesting than laying around on the beach.
Jack
You really a good photographer. This is new to me and I never heard of it. Thanks you for the mini walkthrough and pictures of it.
Di Hickman
Thanks! I actually lost all of the photos I took but had thankfully already uploaded these to our facebook group.
Lois Alter Mark
We love labyrinths, and have walked around a number of them at different wellness retreats. I can’t imagine having the patience to make one myself, though!
Di Hickman
Part of the lesson was definitely patience!
Kim
Awe this looks like so much fun! I need to do this one day 🙂
Di Hickman
Definitely something interesting for the summer at the beach!
Joline
What a fun activity! I must say I haven’t walked through a labyrinth, I think that 1980s movie still freaks me out a little lol! But yeah, my girlfriends and I can totally get into this.
Di Hickman
Heck yeah that was a weird movie!
Tonya Michelle
Wow this looks like alot of work but very rewarding. Great job
Di Hickman
It was hard work but there was enough of us to spread the labor!
Marjie Mare
This is a really cool and unique idea to build a labyrinth in the beach. I am having so many great ideas, that I am confident, my summer will be marvelous.
Di Hickman
Definitely more interesting than just laying around on a beach towel for sure!
Stephanie T.
I’ve never walked a labyrinth before but I love the pictures. It looks so cool. And its nice that you had support and people to lean on. Reunions can’t come soon enough for everyone to get together 🙂
Di Hickman
It was definitely fun, and yes reunion can’t come quick enough!