Meditative walking in the Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel

There are times in life when we just need to focus on ourselves and listen to our bodies, and there are few better ways to do this than meditative walking! Matching our breathing to our walking has proven to have various health benefits and reduces stress levels, so why not enjoy a revitalising walk with the breathtaking Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel as your backdrop?

Far from the summer crowds

Ever felt the urge to get away from it all? My husband and I were craving an off-the-grid escape, an intrepid adventure off the beaten track. The Mont-Saint-Michel was the destination we had in mind but in the middle of summer, getting away from the crowds seemed difficult. 

So it was that on a beautiful summer’s day, we arrive at the dunes of the Bec d’Andaine, the departure point for crossing this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as we wait for our guide, enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Mont-Saint-Michel floating on the horizon. I decide to have a paddle in the muddy sand, until they unexpectedly start sinking – such a strange feeling! This place has been famous for its quick sands since medieval times when pilgrims lost their lives crossing the bay. Lesson learnt, I play it safe and wait for our tour guide before venturing any further!

We meet our friendly guide Myriam in the car park for Dragey-Ronthon beach. Myriam is a sophrology therapist who teaches self-development methods and practises using body and mind to create more balance and harmony within people. In a calm and soothing voice, she briefs us on the concept of meditative walking, an unknown art to the stressed-out urban dwellers that we are. Inspired by nomadic tribes travelling huge distances in the traditional migrations to bring their livestock to fresh grazing grounds, the idea is to practise conscious walking – breathing and walking in all mindfulness to allow the body to be efficiently oxygenated to travel long distances, up to 60km a day.

A Gentle warm-up

The exercise starts with a stretching session to warm the soft tissues and increase blood flow and much-needed oxygen to all areas of the body before setting off on the walk. ‘Feel free to to yawn, sigh, shake your arms, your legs, release tension,’ advises Myriam. We are now fully ready for this new adventure!

Clear the mind and boost your energy levels

We are introduced to a breathing technique that differs from our natural breathing pattern. It feels awkward at first to have to learn such a basic skill but we are consciously preparing our bodies for over-oxygenation. After all, our goal is to master the art of conscious walking. As the walk begins, we are advised to focus on the Mont-Saint-Michel in the distance to get the hang of the pacing and breathing techniques through our noses.

We walk and breathe in for three seconds, hold our breath for one, and breathe out for three . After concentrating so much on every step we make, breathing becomes natural and we all begin to notice the calming effects, feeling the ground under our feet and appreciating the beauty of the landscape surrounding us. We understand why this exercise is considered ‘active meditation.’ We finish off by relaxing on the beach, feeling energised like never before!

end the walk WITH A WELL-DESERVED snack

Eating the right food after this exercise helps us to recover. We head off to the restaurant La Pause des Genêts for a well-deserved snack overlooking the Mont-Saint-Michel. With cows grazing in the meadows on the horizon, we indulge in dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal, local produce. What a delight!

The above information provided is subject to change

Myriam

Sophrologist

Myriam is sophrologist. She discovered meditative walking while seeking new ways for the body to reach a state of deep relaxation. All year round, she teaches this revitalising discipline to visitors while guiding them across the spectacular Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel.