Events & Workshops
Below are details of some previous events I have facilitated, co-presented or at which I have been a guest speaker. If you are interested in holding a labyrinth event or workshop for your own organisation, group or community, please get in touch to discuss what might work for you.
Past Events
To view photos from some of these events, visit the Events Photo Gallery page.
The Labyrinth: Breathing space for heart and mind, February 15, 2020
St. Benet’s Chaplaincy, Queen Mary University, London
This one-day workshop provides an introduction to labyrinth walking as a pathway to quietness in today’s hectic world. This is an independent event, kindly hosted by St. Benet’s Chaplaincy with an opportunity to walk a canvas labyrinth laid out in their beautiful, grade 2 listed chapel.
Drawing a Labyrinth – Residential Course, August 2 to 4, 2019
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
Labyrinths are creative resources for spiritual practice, and offer space for prayer, play and discovery. Starting with paper and pencil, we’ll create labyrinth patterns from around the world, from simple to more complex designs. We’ll make labyrinths small enough for postcards – and big enough to walk, using natural and temporary materials. By the end of the course, everyone will know how to create a temporary labyrinth indoors or outdoors.
Labyrinths in Britain Regional Event:
Walking Tour of London Labyrinths, July 27, 2019
A Gathering with a difference for 2019: a winding pilgrimage on foot and by London Underground, led by Jan Sellers. Visit a very varied collection of London’s labyrinths, including specially arranged access for our group. We will start with the smallest and oldest labyrinth – on paper – and end up walking a glorious 21st century art installation.
A Quiet Day with the Labyrinth, July 13, 2019
Royal Foundation of St. Katharine’s, Limehouse, London.
A Labyrinth is not a maze. With no dead ends, its single path to the centre invites us to explore – a pilgrim path, a path of prayer or contemplation, a path that draws us into the present moment. This day offers a peaceful labyrinth walk and time to reflect on the experience. Take time in St Katharine’s extraordinary urban oasis, a chance to step aside from the City but not leave it.
Creating Labyrinths on Campus with Lars Howlett and Jan Sellers.
A free Veriditas webinar, April 25, 2019.
At colleges and universities around the world, labyrinths offer time and space for students, faculty and staff to reflect, relieve stress, and build community. Discover the opportunities and considerations for creating labyrinths on campus in this webinar, part of an ongoing series exploring labyrinths in higher education.
Labyrinths in Britain Gathering, June 9, 2018
Wanstead Quaker Meeting House, Bush Road, Wanstead E11 3AU.
An informal, enjoyable day for labyrinth enthusiasts to get together and share labyrinth news and interests, with some great speakers.
Retreat Association Training Day, July 14, 2018
Swarthmoor Hall, Cumbria.
A day at this wonderful historic house, as we deepen our knowledge of labyrinths and explore how to use them in our own group or community contexts.
A Quiet Day with the Labyrinth, July 21, 2018
Royal Foundation of St. Katharine’s, London.
A peaceful, restorative day with the labyrinth, including a labyrinth walk in the beautiful chapel at this East End retreat centre.
Ancient Paths: A Retreat with the Labyrinth. August 17-19, 2018
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
Time to rest; time to be; time to walk the labyrinth and explore labyrinths through reading, music, images and silence.
The Hilton Labyrinth Gathering. June 10, 2017
A glorious day of labyrinths, discussion, presentations and networking, at the home of one of England’s ancient turf labyrinths.
Retreat with the Labyrinth: Patterns, Paths and Spirals, May 23-25, 2017
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
During this peaceful, restorative retreat we will walk Woodbrooke’s labyrinths and explore the labyrinth as a spiritual path, a space for contemplation and self-discovery.
Harlaxton College, Lincolnshire. May 2017.
A seminar on arts, wellbeing and the labyrinth, for American university students at their Summer School. If you are interested in similar events please contact Jan.
Labyrinth Walk and talk, April 10-12, 2017
St. Giles Cripplegate, the Barbican, London.
This historic church in the Barbican, London, holds labyrinth walks again in the week before Easter.
Play and Creativity in Higher Education. April 7, 2017
University of Winchester, England.
Jan hosted a labyrinth walk as part of the University’s Play and Creativity Festival. For more about this kind of event, please contact Jan.
The Labyrinth Society Annual Gathering, November 10-12, 2016
Houston, Texas, USA.
Jan presented at this wonderful, informal conference. “A time when labyrinth enthusiasts and experts gather from around the world to learn, share and explore labyrinths.”
Exploring the Labyrinth: Retreat Association Training Day, September 17, 2016
The Kairos Centre, Roehampton, London SW16.
A Retreat Association Training Course with Jan Sellers. Learn about the labyrinth’s ancient history and contemporary uses; explore ways of working with the labyrinth in your own organisation or community.
Saffron Walden Maze Festival, August 20-21, 2016
A labyrinth and maze extravaganza in the streets and on the Town Common – including the famous Saffron Walden Turf Labyrinth. Jan was the keynote speaker on Saturday evening at the Town Hall.
Walking the Labyrinth: Old Paths and New Directions, July 25, 2016
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
A Veriditas qualifying workshop with Jan Sellers. Discover the reflective path of the labyrinth and its contemporary uses.
Leytonstone Arts Trail, 2-3 July and 9-10 July, 2016
A wealth of creativity from many artists including installations and an outdoor labyrinth at the Quaker Meeting House, Bush Road, London E11 3AU.
Educating for Action: Friends’ Association for Higher Education, June 16-19, 2016
Annual conference for Quakers in Higher Education, held at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham. Jan will be leading a plenary session, reflecting on the labyrinth as a path for stillness and for action.
Growing Contemplative Practices in HE, 22 April 2016
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
A day organised by the Contemplative Pedagogy Network: one of the activities on offer will be an opportunity to explore a labyrinth and its many uses in Higher Education.
The University and the Labyrinth: A Reflective Journey, April 19, 2016
Online, live webinar: Jan in discussion with Lauren Artress. We’ll hear the unique story of the Canterbury Labyrinth, consider the metaphor of journey in an academic context and explore the creative potential of labyrinths in university settings.
Walking into Spring: The labyrinth as a path of renewal, March 30, 2016
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
Spring is a time of new growth and fresh ideas. As our paths draw together, we will share this peaceful day to explore the paths of the labyrinth and reflect on what Spring means to each of us. We will walk the labyrinth in Woodbrooke’s beautiful grounds as well as indoors, with time to enjoy this lovely setting and learn about the labyrinth as a path of renewal.
Reflections on the Labyrinth: Walk and Talk, March 23, 2016
St. Giles Cripplegate Church, the Barbican, London.
Join us to walk the labyrinth, indoors and outdoors: a place of light and shadow for reflection on the human journey. Speakers: artist Jim Buchanan; Jan Sellers and Christine Whaite.
Playful Learning! ANTF Symposium
(Association of National Teaching Fellows), March 21-22, 2016
MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham.
Jan will be leading a labyrinth walk and discussion on Monday 21st, open to National Teaching Fellows. Tuesday 22nd is open to all in the Higher Education sector. Event includes a playful introduction to the creative work of many National Teaching Fellows.
Ancient Paths: a retreat with the labyrinth, July 28-30, 2015
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
Time to be; time to rest; time to walk the labyrinth, to find ‘a different way of knowing.’ Learn about labyrinths as a spiritual resource and explore their patterns through reading, music, images and silence. Experience labyrinths indoors and outdoors, including a labyrinth we’ll create ourselves in the garden – a pattern to take home.
Retreat Association Conference, June 21-25, 2015
The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire.
Jan is leading a workshop at this conference which draws together people from many walks of life with a shared commitment to exploring and deepening our spiritual journey through retreats.
Labyrinth Workshop and Walks, March 30-April 2, 2015
St Giles Cripplegate Church, Barbican, London.
Two labyrinths to walk: the church’s own hand-painted labyrinth, and, after dark, artist Jim Buchanan’s exquisite labyrinth of light, projected from above – a path of light and shadow, a rare opportunity to experience and engage with this form of art. See the Events Photo Gallery for images from the 2013 event.
School of Health Studies: Teaching and Learning Away Day, December 2014
An opportunity for reflective time and space, a labyrinth to walk throughout this Away Day. This labyrinth installation and facilitated walks complement the Away Day for university staff.
Embrace Your Inner Writer, November 2014
Labyrinth Society Annual Gathering, Delray Beach, Florida, USA.
Mini-session (half-hour workshop) at the annual TLS gathering.
Art and Design Students: The Power of Labyrinths, October 2014
A labyrinth walk and introductory lecture as part of a themed week of study.
Education Team: Discover the labyrinth as a teaching resource, October 2014
A day of discussion and exploration, for staff at a Retreat and Study Centre to discover how to work with their new fabric labyrinth.
Make a Fabric Labyrinth for Woodbrooke, July 4-7, 2014
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
In four hard-working and exciting days, we’ll create a large-scale, indoor fabric labyrinth for Woodbrooke, a gift for the future. Tutors: Jeff Saward and Jan Sellers.
Exploring the Labyrinth, June 14, 2014
Wisdom Centre, Romsey, Hampshire.
A Retreat Association Training Day – all welcome. Learn about labyrinths and the many ways of working with this wonderful pattern. Includes labyrinth use in schools, churches, communities and more.
The Labyrinth, May 2014
Grantham, Lincolnshire.
An introduction to the labyrinth for a group of student nurses, as part of their summer school. If you are interested in this type of event, please get in touch.
Quiet Day, May 2014
Cardiff.
This is a quiet day for a church group in Wales. If you are interested in this type of event, please get in touch.
Labyrinth Paths, April 16, 2014
St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London.
Short talks by myself and others – find out about different ways of working with labyrinths, and take part in a labyrinth walk in this historic church in the City of London.
Happenings and Knowledge Promenades: Working Cross Discipline, December 17, 2013
Arts University at Bournemouth.
A Higher Education Academy event that draws on the work of National Teaching Fellows. Exploring creative, interactive initiatives in teaching and learning, including the labyrinth.
Saffron Walden Labyrinth and Maze Festival, August 16-19, 2013
An extravaganza for all with events for young and old – including an opportunity to walk a beautiful canvas labyrinth indoors.
In-house events: Labyrinth Workshops
2013: Sacred Space in the City – a labyrinth walk to support this Quiet Day for a church congregation in central London.
2013: Seminar and Labyrinth Walk – designed for a university’s academic development programme, this half-day event will explore how the labyrinth can be used to foster reflection and creativity.
Book Launches and Labyrinth Walks – Spring 2013
Working with the Labyrinth: Paths for Exploration (edited by Ruth Sewell, Jan Sellers and Di Williams) was published by Wild Goose, Iona. It’s packed with ideas about using labyrinths in many different contexts, including advice on creating labyrinths from scratch.
A Handful of Quietness: A retreat with the labyrinth, June 2013
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
A three-day retreat with time to rest, to explore and delight in quietness, and to consider our journeys individually and together.
Contemplative Teaching, Contemplative Learning: A SEDA Day School, June 2013
University of Westminster, London.
Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) Day School. Guest speaker, introducing the labyrinth as a contemplative resource for students and staff; event co-organiser.
The Labyrinth in Britain, Past to Present: A Labyrinth Society event, May 2013
The Quiet View, Kingston, Canterbury, Kent.
Guest speaker, discussing the growing use of labyrinths in educational settings.
MultipliCities, March & April 2013
Cass Business School, City University, London.
Guest speaker, exploring themes of walking, the city, the labyrinth and learning. This ongoing arts initiative is a collaboration between Cass Business School and MotiRoti.
Quakers Together Day, September 2012
Wanstead Meeting House, London.
Facilitated by Jan Sellers. A Quiet Day for local Quakers: exploring our spiritual journeys.
Journeys to the Centre: spiritual exploration through movement, September 2012
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, Birmingham.
Tutors: Kate Green and Jan Sellers. We will combine two proven approaches to deepening spirituality through movement: the labyrinth and the Chantraine Dance of Expression. The ancient image of the labyrinth appears across the world. Its single, convoluted path to the centre provides reflective meditation. Chantraine Dance is accessible to all: it is dance for the harmony of the whole person, uniting physical and spiritual aspects of movement. No prior experience of dance is necessary. Our theme this time will be based on spirals.
Exploring the Labyrinth, July 2012
Retreat Association Training Day, Birmingham.
Tutor: Jan Sellers. Our day will include an introduction to the beauty, diversity and use of labyrinths, with a focus on spiritual development. We will share quiet time, with a guided labyrinth walk indoors on a hand painted canvas labyrinth (and time to walk Woodbrooke’s outdoor labyrinth too, weather permitting). We will also explore practical ways of introducing, and using, labyrinths in different organisational contexts, including discussion of low cost resources. Bring your questions!
Cave of the Heart Conference, June 2012
St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham.
Labyrinth installation for conference participants, facilitated by Jan Sellers (with a great volunteer team!); short paper on labyrinth developments in Higher Education.
Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) Spring Conference, May 2012
Chester, England.
‘Supporting Student Transition: A labyrinth journey.’ Workshop with Jan Sellers including labyrinth walk. See SEDA website for details.
Labyrinth Drawing Workshop, March 2012
University of Kent, Canterbury.
Jeff Saward and Jan Sellers. Jeff presented a fascinating lecture on the history of the drawing of labyrinths, followed by opportunities to draw labyrinths small and large, with pen, pencil, string, plasticine, rope, masking tape – and paper cups!
Association for University and College Counselling: Annual Conference, June 2011
Stone, Staffordshire.
Discovering the Labyrinth: an exploratory workshop for counsellors.
The Labyrinth: A pathway for our times, April 2011
St Giles Cripplegate Church, Barbican, London.
Public lecture and labyrinth walks.
Student Lifewide Development Symposium, March 2011
Aston University, Birmingham.
Quiet Space: The labyrinth as a resource for student development. Workshop and conference labyrinth installation.
Higher Education Academy, Annual Conference, June 2010
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield.
‘The Labyrinth: A reflective journey.’ Paper and conference labyrinth installation (National Teaching Fellows’ strand).
Association for Learning Development in Higher Education, 7th Annual Conference, March 2010
Nottingham Trent University.
‘Teaching and Learning with the Labyrinth.’ Poster and conference labyrinth installation.