Walking is all in the mind for Cork group

It’s never too late to stop and smell the roses — and Ireland’s first Mindful Walk and Talk Group is teaching residents of a Cork city suburb how to do it.

Launched by a coaching psychologist, author and former army officer, the Bishopstown Mindful Walk and Talk Group is to hold monthly get-togethers.

Its founder Hugh O’Donovan plans to establish a network of Mindful Walk and Talk groups across the Cork region and probably in other parts of the country.

The first walk took place last week after a group of people ranging in age from 20-somethings to people in their late 60s, met at a pre- arranged venue in Bishopstown for the launch of the group.

“We had 16 participants for the first outing — they basically signed up to show up and slow down,” quipped Mr O Donovan, 59, whose book, Mindful Walking; Walk Your Way to Physical and Mental Well-Being was published recently.

“Lots of walking groups are about physical activity and getting fit — this walking group is different because we’re inviting people to bring a mindful approach to walking.

“We spend a lot of our lives rushing around, and when people walk they still bring this rush to that activity.

“We’re asking people to slow down and become aware of what’s going on around them.

“It’s free, you don’t have to become a member of the group; all you have to do is show up and take responsibility for how long and how far you go, and who you walk with.”

Following the launch of the group during which Mr O’Donovan gave an explanation about what constituted mindful walking, participants set off around the suburb.

“Some people went off by themselves, others in small groups,” he said. Returned participants later reported noticing things they would normally never see, such as “the colours in gardens, smells in the area”.

“They came back with a different outlook on things and seemed more energised,” he said, adding that walkers also reported a noticeable lifting of their mood.

“The concept is about developing a different approach to your daily experiences.

“It’s about bringing a curiosity beyond the normal judging mind of ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ We can deliberately choose to focus on the positive and engage with that.”

Mr O’Donovan recently completed a three week mindful walk from Mizen Head to Malin Head, raising €2,000 for MyMind.org group.

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