Organizers of an upcoming event from Journey to Hope are hopeful that attendees will walk away feeling a connection with both the venue and the new labyrinth project in the works.
Journey to Hope is inviting the public to join them at Ponderosa Connection, a local equine therapy centre just outside Moose Jaw, for an informational workshop that will help create a meditation labyrinth.
“It really is an opportunity to talk about energy, the value of a labyrinth and the work in an internal journey,” said representative Della Ferguson. “And we’re coupling it with an informational opportunity to be with the teachers — the horses. It’s just this beautiful opportunity to connect with nature, face-to-face.”
The event will take place on May 15, with two available sessions at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Ferguson said that due to public health restrictions, each session can only take ten people, and attendees will need to wear face masks for everyone’s safety.
For the workshop, attendees are asked to bring one or several stones with them to the event, where they will paint the rocks and learn more about the benefits of positive internal meditation.
“The idea of having a labyrinth encourages a positive mindset, and it can be inspirational for people,” said Ferguson. “And our whole desire is that we hope to offer options to people, especially during these days of COVID that have been long and hard.”
The stones they create will then be used in the creation of a meditation labyrinth, meaning these individuals will be creating a very real connection to the installation as well as experiencing the healing connection of therapy horses.
“It really is an opportunity to talk about energy, the value of a labyrinth and the work in an internal journey,” said Ferguson. “And we’re coupling it with an informational opportunity to be with the teachers — the horses. It’s just this beautiful opportunity to connect with nature, face-to-face.”
The secondary aspect of the workshop is to share with attendees the experience of equine therapy, and the ways in which making a connection with horses can offer a sense of respect and understanding.
Journey to Hope has partnered with Ponderosa Connection for the event because the centre offers a unique but beneficial experience, said Ferguson, and owner Chrystal Fatteicher also reached out to offer space for the labyrinth installation.
“She thought a labyrinth could really be a powerful tool,” said Ferguson. “And [the event] is just to give people the opportunity to experience [working with therapy horses] because it may plant a seed that it might be something they’d enjoy.”
The labyrinth workshop is free to attend, but Ferguson encourages those interested to consider making a donation to Ponderosa Connection when they register, as the funds will help with the care of the therapy animals, who are all rescues.
Registration for the event is due by May 13 and can be done by contacting Angelena by text or phonecall at 1 (306) 681-5159.
