LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The fifth annual World Labyrinth Day will be held on Saturday, May 4.

World Labyrinth Day is an annual global event celebrated each year on the first Saturday in May, sponsored by The Labyrinth Society, an international organization founded in 1998.
 
Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity, and uses include problem solving, conflict resolution, walking meditation, modern day pilgrimage, and stress management.

The American Cancer Society states that labyrinths "may be helpful as a complementary method to decrease stress and create a state of relaxation."

Research studies conducted in a variety of settings consistently have shown that walking a labyrinth reduces stress. In fact, over the past few years, this has been the most commonly reported finding related to the so-called “labyrinth effect,” according to John W. Rhodes, Ph.D., president of the Labyrinth Society and former chair of The Labyrinth Society Research Committee.
 
In southern Lake County, currently two events are highlighted.

A seven circuit outdoor labyrinth, specially created by Holly Hand beneath towering fir trees in downtown Middletown, at the corner of Calistoga Street (Highway 29) and Armstrong will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on World Labyrinth Day.

An asphalted area, for ease of walking, was chosen by Hand next to a meadow of lupines to be transformed to a 32-foot labyrinth and also available will be tables of finger labyrinths, for those with limited mobility, courtesy of 2 Women Traders.

Thanks to Sutter Lakeside Hospital staff who approved the use of the area across from Grinder’s Steep at the request of Middletown Community United Methodist Church to highlight World Labyrinth Day.

The Rev. Peggy Thompson will direct people in a dance to "warm up the labyrinth" just before it opens to the public for walking at 10 am. Refreshments will be served. For questions or additional information call 707-295-7174.
 
Also on May 4, in southern Lake County at the Positive Living Center-Labyrinth Peace Garden at 19568 Spruce Grove Ext., Hidden Valley Lake, Hand will facilitate walkers who can gather in the parking lot near the labyrinth at 12:50 p.m.

This site is Just off Hwy 29, opposite the members only gate into Hidden Valley Lake north of Hartman Road. For questions or additional information call 707-987-6610.

 
The Labyrinth Society invites the world to “Walk As One at 1” in an attempt to create a wave of peaceful energy moving around the planet.

To participate, people are invited to walk a labyrinth at 1 p.m. in their local time zone. Many large group events are planned, but no event is too small. Individuals who wish to participate may use a finger labyrinth in the comfort of their home.
 
While the origin of the labyrinth is unknown, labyrinths have been found all over the world dating from earliest antiquity.

Once popular in the Middle Ages, labyrinths have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity.It has become increasingly common to find labyrinths in schools, prisons, parks, hospitals, spas, churches, prisons and retreat centers.

The World Wide Labyrinth Locator, www.labyrinthlocator.com , an online database, lists more than 3,400 labyrinths around the world.
 
Day information and resources are available on The Labyrinth Society’s Web site at http://labyrinthsociety.org/world-labyrinth-day .