NEW RIVER, AZ -- A New River woman is familiar with a new age approach to getting healthy.
As an herbalist and owner of the Peaceful Spirit Enrichment Center, Melanie Dunlap is use to making people feel better.
But lately the biggest attraction sits in her backyard.
It's a 28-foot classical labyrinth and it's where clients and friends are learning how to cope with health issues and stress just by walking.
"There's only one path in and that leads to the center," said Dunlap. "The same path is the one you walk out."
To most it might just look like a maze of rocks, but Dunlap says inside these circles there are no dead ends or wrongs turns.
One path eventually winds its way to the center and she says the only thing you have to think about is if you want to walk the labyrinth.
In the small town of New River, Dunlap's labyrinth is getting quite the draw.
"They'll say oh you’re the lady with the labyrinth in your backyard," she said.
For about a year half now, Dunlap who says she's certified in labyrinths and has been using it as a walking meditation.
She doesn't charge, just calls the money people leave 'a love donation'.
What it does for people she can't explain, but walking the six circles is having some impact.
"It touches everyone in a different way because every time you walk it, it's your personal journey."
Lisa Valle first tried out this labyrinth about a year and half ago.
Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia she found medication wasn't working and decided to give walking a shot.
"I realized that I needed to take control of that so part of doing that was doing walking mediations and taking time to be still and feel my body and letting the natural healing take place," she said.
Dunlap says stress is hard on people. "It's hard on our immune system and with this season of the cold and flu stress, it's even more important for us to calm down and find a place of stillness," she said.
For more information on the Peaceful Spirit Enrichment Center go to
http://www.peacefulspiritcenter.com/ or call 623-465-5875.
