WalkingWomen has some remarkable guides who often notice extraordinary changes happening when women walk together.
WalkingWomen holidays blend three things that create a ‘Magnetic Triad’ of well-being.
There is plenty of evidence that walking is physically and emotionally good for you, we also know that women often thrive in the company of other women and feel safe to both be themselves and risk new challenges. ‘Bathing’ in nature regulates our nervous system, keeping us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy. Put these three things together – women – walking – and nature – and then the magic really happens.
Our guide in La Gomera, René Van Der Walt talks here about what she observes as women walk and grow together:
“As a WalkingWomen guide I often see a woman arrive thinking about what she can’t do anymore, and then gradually rediscover what she can do. For example,
- “I didn’t think I could do that anymore.” You see women nervous about distance, hills, uneven paths or their fitness. At the end of the day, the pride is often much bigger than simply completing a walk. They have proved something to themselves.
- Confidence comes back quietly. It may start with someone asking, “How much further?” or worrying about a climb. A few hours later, she is walking more confidently, chatting, laughing and sometimes encouraging somebody else.
- Women supporting women. Walking in a group can remove some of the pressure. It isn’t about being the fastest or strongest. Someone waits, someone offers a hand, somebody makes a joke when things get difficult. The achievement becomes shared.
- Age stops being the main story. Women may arrive saying, “At my age…” or talking about their knees, fitness or things they used to do. Then suddenly they’re simply walkers again — enjoying the landscape and the challenge rather than thinking about their age.
- The transformation isn’t always physical. As a guide, you can sometimes see women becoming more open and relaxed over several days. Conversations change. People who were quiet on day one become part of the group. There is a sense of independence and freedom.
- Rediscovering adventure. It can be tackling a steep descent, walking through cloud forest, reaching a viewpoint or simply spending a whole day outdoors. Something that seems quite ordinary to a guide can be a major personal moment for someone else.
- The moment at the top. Watching someone reach the top of a challenging climb, turn around, look at where she has come from and smile. As a guide, you know the view is beautiful — but sometimes you’re watching something more important than the view.
On La Gomera you also have a wonderful setting for this because the island can look intimidating: mountains, deep valleys, steep paths and changing terrain. The landscape itself can become part of the story — women look across a valley thinking, “We’re going THERE?”, and a few hours later they’re standing on the other side looking back at where they started – beguiled by the experience.
For me guiding is less about leading women along a path and more about witnessing them find a part of themselves along the way. What I love about guiding is seeing that moment when someone realises the adventurous woman she remembers hasn’t disappeared.
She’s still there — perhaps she just needed an opportunity to come out again.”
Jay, of Juicy Crones and our WalkingWomen story gatherer was in conversation with Rene, our guide on La Gomera. THANK YOU BOTH
