The Red Shoes shows paths to the divine

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By Travis Leeper

It's a little coral-red building off Government Street, decorated subtly and identified by a modest sign. It doesn't particularly look like the place in Baton Rouge to explore your spirituality, read poetry, or meditate peacefully, but behind the pale-red walls, something great happens in this city.

Founded over ten years ago by Roberta Guillory, The Red Shoes has grown to inhabit its own building, harbor a board of directors, and produce multiple programs daily. Initially started as a women's center for spiritual growth, the non-profit organization now accommodates both men and women for a variety of metaphysical and interpersonal studies.

"I think everything we do here empowers people to find their authentic self and hopefully interact with the universe in a different and less aggressive way," said Wendy Herschman, executive director of The Red Shoes. "It brings people together rather than divides people, and I think that's kind of the essence we hope people are getting from their experience here."

The Red Shoes hosts a vast range of classes, including everything from yoga to meditation to film studies, knitting groups, and spirituality workshops. Though the center discusses religious topics, The Red Shoes aims only to help guide in matters of spiritual and personal growth, not particular religious doctrines.

"There's no religious background here; it's all spiritual," said Hirschman. "So when we have any of our classes, it's an extremely open and supportive environment that allows people to explore spiritually and mentality. The people we encourage all have the same ideals of valuing each person. There's a certain energy that grows here between people, and a lot of tears are shed."

Starting November 5th at 7 PM, The Red Shoes will be hosting a three-week introduction to meditation, aimed at helping people who are curious or unsure to find health and hope in various forms of the practice.

"It's hard for some people to differentiate between meditation and sleeping," said Hirschman. "So we thought we would have this class that would explore different types of meditation. The idea is: meditation is good for everyone. It's good for people who have decisions to make, or are trying to figure out their life... it relaxes the body like nothing else does, it's something everyone can do but people have trouble accessing."

"There might be centering prayer, guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, Zen meditation, all of those things and probably more."

The three-week study will be headed by spiritual director Joan McCaskill and will feature guests such as Frances Vanderwall and Thich Dao Quang. To learn more about the center or check out some of the other events going on at The Red Shoes, visit theredshoes.org or stop by the pale-red building on 2303 Government Street.

"So many people tell me: "I didn't know there were other people here who felt this way!' What we've really lost is community. Today we can do it all without ever seeing each other, so having a place that cherishes face to face, heart to heart communication is something people value. Since the economy downturned, we've actually flourished. People realize this is what is really important."

Originally Published: Issue 822 - November 4, 2009

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