UUFP to have a New Year's Day Labyrinth Walk

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown will be hosting a New Year's Day Labyrinth Walk on January 1, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public, though donations are welcome.A Labyrinth Walk is a non-denominational spiritual exercise where people walk along the path of a labyrinth either built into the landscaping or imprinted on a floor covering. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown (UUFP) labyrinth is made of canvas, and the design was inspired from a labyrinth in France’s Chartres Cathedral. The event will be held indoors.The Labyrinth was designed and crafted as a part of Master's Thesis by an Ursinus College student Laurie Barilotti DiRosa who was conducting a study in 1998. She collected data on about 200 walkers on the 28-turn labyrinth. Following Barilotti’s study, Professors Laura Borsdorf (Exercise and Sports Science) and Catherine Chambliss (Psychology) collaborated on research to support the use of labyrinths as effective wellness tools. CJ Rhoads, a healthcare researcher and professor at Kutztown University (and Reading Eagle columnist) concurs. "There is plenty of research that mind-body activities like walking the labyrinth, tai chi, qigong, Pilates, and yoga are very effective wellness tools that raise the quality of life and are essential to staying healthy. I personally find that it is a great activity to start off the new year."DiRosa, now teaching health science at Immaculata University, commented. “I think it is an excellent way to relieve some stress, and also an amazing piece of artwork." Sally Martin, the labyrinth facilitator, notes; "Walking the labyrinth is a great activity to calm and rejuvenate your mind and body."Miranda Van Horn, the President of UUFP is a strong Labyrinth supporter. "We’re pleased that we can bring this activity to the area and are grateful for Sally Martin and Ursinus College for this wonderful gift."For information contact Sally Martin at 610 323-3067 or sallyvm@verizon.net.ABOUT UUFP: UUFP was established in 1967, and is a liberal faith community located in North Coventry Township of Chester County, just south of Pottstown, PA. The building was built by the founders themselves in the 1980s. Guided by their faith in the worth and dignity of all persons, UUFP provides a spiritual home for people from a variety of religious traditions, racial and cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and identities.