Guided meditation at Loire Valley Lodges
To reach a state of wellbeing, there are different paths that each of us can explore, according to our curiosity, our desires and our needs. Guided meditation, because it is led by someone, is a particularly wise way to travel the paths of the mind under good guidance, whether you are a seasoned practitioner or not.
It all begins with the breath
It all begins with breathing. That ordinary act, so often taken for granted and so easily underestimated, when it is the fundamental act that keeps us alive. Breathing well can be learned, in order to achieve cardiac coherence. That is why every session opens with conscious breathing. The inner journey has already begun, because with each inhalation and exhalation you feel the air circulate and the body live.
A journey inside yourself
Once the mind is focused, the guide invites visualisation, which launches the inner exploration. You set off on a journey inside yourself, and guided meditation is a matter of going and returning. The click can happen at any moment, brought on by the body gradually letting go, or by a particularly evocative image you project yourself into at once. That state, close to hypnosis or trance, into which guided meditation takes you, is within everyone’s reach.
The five senses, allies of the journey
For a successful journey, engaging the five senses is fundamental, which is why being deep in the forest is such an invaluable advantage. Immersion in an already multisensory nature makes letting go easier. Every element is an invitation to make that journey, to reconnect with yourself, to rediscover a sense of wonder like the one you had as a child. The smells, the colours, the textures and the sounds of the forest are precious elements that actively shape the quality of the experience. Everyone immerses themselves in their own way and finds a truth of their own.
It is then the guide’s role to find the right sensory channel, the one that will allow you to let go completely, following the VAKOG principle: Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic, Olfactory, Gustatory. The idea behind it is that our relationship with the outside world necessarily passes through at least one of these five senses.
How you feel after the session
Among the immediate effects most often described: the feeling of having had a long, restorative night’s sleep, the relief that comes with complete letting go, and the discovery of the power of conscious breathing as a starting point.
Where to practise at Loire Valley Lodges
Guided meditation can be practised on your own or as a couple, indoors in the lodges, or in a group outdoors, in the garden near the vegetable patch. It sits naturally alongside the other approaches offered on the estate, from forest bathing therapy to the forest baths, and on to a relaxation and spa day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous experience to take part?
No. The session is led by a practitioner who sets the pace and gives the instructions, which makes it accessible to complete beginners and regular practitioners alike.
Where do the sessions take place at Loire Valley Lodges?
On your own or as a couple directly in your lodge, or in a group outdoors near the vegetable garden.
What is VAKOG?
It is the acronym for the five sensory channels: Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic, Olfactory and Gustatory. The guide identifies the one through which you most easily reach a state of release.
