"This time I picked up more specifically on feeling how I was walking than in previous sessions. I am very analytical so mindfulness is a really good discipline for me to practice, but it has taken several sessions for me to be able to step back from overthinking what I am doing! It was lovely to have the opportunity to step out of my busy life and try just 'being' in a place where one can see and feel nature all around. Sitting watching the sea forever moving and feeling the wind blowing on my face while focusing on my breathing made me appreciate the way my body is forever managing the process of inhaling air, extracting what's required and then exhaling what's not wanted without me being conscious of it. How amazing is nature! Altogether a very worthwhile experience and I look forward to more sessions next year."
"The walk along the beach made me appreciate what I have on my doorstep, and nature at its best. Appreciating the small trickles of water flowing back down the sand, glimmering and twinkling in the sun, accompanied by some audio classical music playing in my ears, just perfect - I was most definitely in the moment! I enjoyed the audio relayed by Linda too, she has a nice smoothing voice, and I liked the way there was pauses and suggestions when walking, standing and even laying on the sand! An overall calming experience. Would like to do this more often. I also appreciated the extra care Linda and Ann took to make sure my mum enjoyed the experience too, thank you."
"I really enjoyed the experience and found that I was able to slowly breathe and focus on me by listening and following the suggestions on the tape. The walk reconfirmed that I need to consciously make more time for me. It is important. I look forward to the next Mindful Walking day."
"Loved the third walk as much as the first two! Was really able to appreciate the beach anew ,especially the sandy patterns and the perfect weather. The terns diving were a delightful added bonus and began to really notice the pebbles etc. On the beach I found it much easier to get ' in the zone' and totally relax..."
"Really enjoyed Saturday afternoon, very relaxing, thank you."
“I really liked the part on the tape where you said about the breathing and walking…”
“At one point we all looked like Anthony Gormley statues; it was really calming just to watch people standing…”
“I was surprised at how different the experience was because I walk a couple of times a day on the beach sometimes and it was a very different experience…I mean, I thought I walked calmly but I obviously don’t… I’m like, 'oh what’s this… and what’s this…', very different...”
“I was ignoring things that would ordinarily distract me, I’d always be kicking around the seaweed and so it was just focusing on one or two things like my breath, or the waves or sound…”
“Having the headphones and being talked through it all because if you were walking on your own your mind wanders off to the shopping and that (the audio guide) just concentrates you on the here and now...”