Mindfulness on our minds: The business of relaxation is on the rise

At first glance, the group of people walking along Toronto's waterfront seem to be in slow-motion.

They're together, but not talking instead they're wearing wireless headphones, playing relaxing music and listening to a soothing voice.

It's all part of a mindfulness and meditation-focused experience, one of several popping up in Toronto as interest in the topic grows. This particular exercise was hosted byMindTravel, a U.S. based company made its first stop in Toronto last week through an event calledSilentHike in Trillium Park.

• Mindfulness means putting the oxygen mask on yourself first: study

Jennifer Lees decided to check it out because she says shethought it sounded like an interesting experience. In a city as busy as Toronto and at a time when many people are attached to their cell phones, it's one of the ways she's seeking out mindfulness.

"It's always something you do alone walking and listening to music,so doing it all together in a beautiful space seemed like a really fun thing," she said."Sometimes you just want to block out the world and zone into your connection."

And it's not just for fun and relaxation.

Dr. David Gratzer, a psychiatrist at Toronto'sCentre for Addiction and Mental Health, says mindfulness has also been trending in the medical realm. At CAMH, staff use elements of mindfulness on the inpatient unit, and they also run a mindfulness group.

Mindfulness is generallydescribed as being aware and present in the moment, and involves paying attention to your surroundings whilenoticing your emotions and how your body feels.

"Not that long ago mindfulness was on the fringes, not many people were interested and certainly clinically no one was interested in this," he said. "Now there are many studies that have looked at mindfulness."

The MindTravel events claim that "while traditional forms of meditation are an isolated experience, and constitute a sort of retreat, this one is an exercise in exploring and being present in the evolving world around us."

The creator of MindTravel, Murray Hidary, composes all of the music that's played during itsevents and verbally guides the participants through the walks. He says the events are a combination of his passions; music, movement and nature.

Hidary says after the hikes, he brings all participantsin a circle and asks them to sum up what their experience was like.

"The overwhelming sentiment from coast to coast has been a feeling of deep calmness, human tranquillity and connection with themselves, with others and the universe."

Fitness for the brain

In Yorkville, Jacob Charendoff manages Soul 7 a sort of gym for your brain, that he says uses guided visualizations, sound therapy and verbal coaching to help people achieve a state of deep meditation and mindfulness.

Their "neurofit studio"claims to optimizethe brain's performance for greater happiness, productivity and focus.

"That's what we are all about now,optimizing our neurofitness," Charendoff says.

In the studio's neuropods, clients lay in abed and through a tablet and headphones go through the guided visuals and coaching. The sessions last 45 minutes and Charendoff says the clients leave looking and feeling relaxed.

"As we are overexposed to all sorts of sensory experiences, we are looking for time and space to reconnect with ourselves,"Charendoff says."It's harder and harder to find."

He adds that some people are intimidated by the idea of spending time alone because they're used to being stimulated in so many ways.

"Meditation, guided visualization, yoga and exercise allows us to reconnect with ourselves. Our clients are really looking for that."

Mindfulness and mental health

CAMH psychiatrist Gratzer says while people are very connected on their cell phones, he doesn't believe there's evidence that there is more mental illnessnow than there was decades ago. Instead, he thinks it may be being talked about more, and that could be contributing to the rise of these businesses.

"Maybe we're just more aware of these things, more mindful about mindfulness."

The psychiatrist suggests that for meditation and mindfulness apps which have also grown in popularitythings to look for are endorsements from universities, mental health organizations or evidence-based studies.

"Those are some things that can flush out what is mindfulness on paper and mindfulness in reality," he said.

"Just because someone has a cool website, doesn't really mean they're doing mindfulness. Or it doesn't mean it's right for you."

He stresses that if people think they may have the symptoms of mood or anxiety disorders, it's best to see a family doctor for an assessment.But he also warns that you don't have to break the bank to relax.

"Strap on your favourite pair of runners and go for a walk."