The Spiritual Corners of Groningen

Being a spiritual person has very little to do with how large your crystal collection is or whether you have a full moon ritual. It is not the yoga poses that you practice, but rather the mindset and awareness that comes with it. Spirituality is not necessarily the same as religion,  however they are similar in the sense that they influence your way of living. 

Integrating spirituality into your daily life simply indicates you are trying to live with more awareness. By living consciously, and thus spiritually, we are trying to create a life in which we are able to focus our attention, bring mindfulness to our decisions and give purpose to the things we do. It is a way of existing that allows us to feel more connected to ourselves, the world and others. Often spirituality goes hand in hand with self-development and the desire for personal growth and healing. 

Then what is all the other stuff about? The yoga, crystals, books, tarot cards; these can be used as tools for learning how to connect more to yourself, your life and others. They can aid you in slowing down, enhancing awareness of your surroundings and create space for your thoughts and emotions. 

There are many little corners in Groningen, sometimes a bit hidden, where you can be introduced to many different spiritual tools and practices. 

A way to create awareness for and in your body is by practicing yoga. Not only does yoga help you connect to yourself on a physical level, it has also been proven to stimulate your mental health as well. One of the places where you will be able to get introduced to this practice is at Open Yoga, located at the Nieuwe Kerk. They also provide workshops on other practices, such as breathwork.If you are looking for crystals, tarot cards, incense or perhaps a journal, Yantra is the place to go to. At the Vismarkt an orange cat called Nemo will await you and welcome you to immerse in the unique atmosphere of LiAtelier. Here you can find crystals, interesting stories, soft scarfs and many jewellery pieces.Another, perhaps more controversial, way of practicing spirituality is energy work. Energy work is seen as alternative medicine that relies on the idea that a body is filled and surrounded by fields of energy. Reiki is a form of energy work. It is believed to be able to help you heal on a physical and emotional level. Getting a reiki treatment could help you to restore your personal balance. A little bit outside of the centre of Groningen there is a place called ´Lotus voor Reiki´. Want to experience energy work for yourself? Then go and pay Saskia, the lovely owner of Lotus voor Reiki, a visit.

All in all, you do not need any of these things to consider yourself a spiritual person. You can simply read a book on spirituality or self-development to create more awareness in and for your own life. In the Vandervelde stores you will find plenty of great options. Our favourite? The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Because as he said:“If you were conscious, that is to say totally present in the now, all negativity would dissolve almost instantly. It could not survive in your presence. It can only survive in your absence.”