DO NOT engage in a Firewalk until you have read this!
Yes! you heard it right! I walked on hot coals to raise funds for Black Country Women's Aid Charity.
Every year, I try to take an off-beaten path and give back to the world that's given me so much!
In the last few years, I have:
• Volunteered to serve as Coventry City of Culture 2021 City Host
• Took part in a 22 km trek in Epping Forest (Strong Women Trek) for Stylist Magazine
• Coached many people to help them heal and live their dream lives
This was my first time trying something like this - overcoming my fear of actually burning my feet!
What is Fire Walk?
A fire walk is where participants walk barefoot across a bed of hot embers, typically as part of a motivational, spiritual, or team-building event. It is often used to symbolize overcoming fears, achieving personal growth, or demonstrating the power of the mind over physical challenges.
Why do people participate in a Firewalk - Walking Barefoot on Hot Coals
Personal Empowerment - Walking on fire is a metaphor for overcoming life's challenges and fears.
Team Building - Shared experiences like fire walking foster camaraderie and trust within groups. Although I did my firewalk alone, I would love to incorporate this experience into my future workshops and retreats.
Spiritual Practice:
Some cultures and traditions view fire walking as a spiritual ritual that connects participants to nature or a higher power.
The Science - Physics Behind Firewalking
Is the Coal Hot? Can it burn your skin?
Yes, the coal is hot! Time and time again the coal is kept hot by adding fire to it!
No, it will not burn the skin if done properly - following all the safety procedures demonstrated by the firewalk facilitators.
Firewalking is based on the principles of physics:
Low Thermal Conductivity: Wood embers are poor conductors of heat, so the heat does not transfer quickly to the feet. Our feet are also poor conductors. Our skin has a low thermal conductivity, similar to coals.
Brief Contact: Each step is brief, limiting the time the foot is in contact with the hot embers.
Moisture on Skin: Sweat or moisture on the skin can create a protective barrier, known as the Leidenfrost effect.
Blast from the Past - Firewalking Cultural and Historical Context
Fire walking is not a new practice. It has been practiced for centuries in various cultures around the world, including:
Hindu ceremonies in India and Sri Lanka. I have witnessed people and cattle firewalking on hot coals back in India. But I never dared to try it myself before.
Shinto rituals in Japan
Polynesian traditions in Fiji
African tribal rites
As a Reiki and Pranic healer, here is my understanding of the Fire - the good energy in the Firewalking experience
Fire as an element within us
Fire is one of the essential elements that exists both in the universe and within us. The human body and the universe are believed to be composed of five fundamental elements. These elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space)—symbolize different aspects of existence and contribute to the balance of physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Fire within us manifests in physical, emotional, and spiritual forms, influencing digestion, metabolism, vitality, and our inner drive.
Fire - Energy Forms
Fire energy is present in various forms: sacrificial fire, lightning, the sun, and digestive fire (jatharagni) within the human body.
Fires as frequencies
Fire has frequencies, just like everything around us has a frequency.
When you think about our ancestors, they spent a lot of time in the dark.
You would have created emotions such as fear and worry. But they didn’t. But they used the energy of fire to wade away the dark.
The orange colour in the fire helps you overcome fear and the yellow color helps you overcome the worry. also when fires burn, they actually spin and create a Fibonacci pattern which is therapeutic to look at.
When you hear the crackle of fire, it is actually producing a beat frequency of 0.13 HZ, which resonates with delta waves in the brain. The Delta waves are low, calming waves that you need for sleep. so when you use fire set night it not only overcomes the emotions of Fear and worry, but it also helps you sleep.
Fire Energy in Chakras
Fire is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura), which governs personal power, confidence, and motivation. Working with fire energy can strengthen one's will and sense of purpose. Balancing fire energy is considered crucial for maintaining harmony within oneself and the environment.
Fire Energy in Hinduism
I am a Hindu. Fire holds a sacred and central place in Hinduism, symbolizing divine power, transformation, and spiritual energy. It is not merely a physical element but is deeply revered as a bridge between humans and the divine. Fire is considered a purifier, a medium for offerings, and a symbol of energy and vitality.
Fire Energy in Reiki:
In Reiki, fire energy is often associated with transformation, purification, and the activation of life force energy. Fire is symbolically present in Reiki teachings and practices as a source of warmth, vitality, and cleansing.
In conclusion, fire symbolises:
Purification: Fire is seen as a cleanser, burning away impurities and negativities.
Transformation: It transforms physical offerings into spiritual energy, symbolizing change and renewal.
Illumination: Fire represents knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment.
I have embraced the energy of fire in previous workshops and retreats. I hosted full moon circles with all of us gathered around the fire - singing, dancing (movement meditation), writing journals, visualising and saying out affirmations out loud.
Safety considerations - what not to do in a firewalk?
While firewalking can be safe when done under proper guidance, it does carry inherent risks, such as burns or injuries, especially if participants rush or do not follow instructions. Proper supervision and preparation are essential.
Some of the instructions we were given are:
Always remember to treat fire as a good energy. You will be in contact with this to connect. Do not fear, be excited about this experience.
Once you take the leap of faith and start walking on hot coals, never stop walking. Walk till the end.
Walk straight. do not look down. Focus on the goal/finish line
Do not run. If you fall, you will get hurt or burns.
Once the firewalk is over, do not look at your feet to see what's happened. You will always find what you are looking for!
The orientation before Firewalking - Setting your Mindset before the Firewalk
This is the most important aspect of a Firewalk!
With any extreme activity, it is very important to have the right mindset beforehand. Without it, you will either fail or not enjoy the moment.
I always ask - what's your story? The story that you would like to tell your children and grand-children. Your story can be of great adventures or of great miseries. We always have the power to choose and change the outcomes of our stories with our mindset and our attitudes towards them. - Pallavi
We had about 30-40 mins of orientation before the actual Firewalk. This was hosted by Chirag Lukha - 16 X Martial Arts World Champion and 20 X Guinness World Record Holder!
He spoke my language - the language of fire being a form of energy! Being a reiki and pranic Healer myself, I truly understand the mindset and energy aspect of performing extreme activities such as the fire walk.
With fire being an energy form with a certain high vibration, we need to raise our own vibration to match the energy - with excitement, joy, and gratitude.
When we fear fire or this experience; or if we have previous notions of what damage it can do to our feet or if something could go wrong during the experience or stories of something that had gone wrong with someone else - we live in fear, and this is a very low vibrational energy.
Chirag Lukha demonstrated a few mind-bending skills such as glass walk (Yes, you heard it right! Chirag walked on broken glass pieces!), pushing through an arrow from the neck, and whatnot!
This is to demonstrate that anything is possible if you look beyond your fear and let go of your resistance. This not only filled confidence in all of the participants of the Firewalk but also got us all excited about what we were capable of and what we were about to experience!
When asked about the Mindset of a fire walk, cirag says, "There are levels of firewalking. The first, purely as a physical ‘stunt’ of science, the skill of firewalking. There’s no real benefit in that. The skillset without the mindset will often leave you upset."
"The second where the skillset is combined with the mindset. Firewalking is less about physical ability and more about mental strength, focus, and belief in your own potential. The firewalking mindset is important because it’s not just about walking across hot coals; it’s about transforming how you see yourself and the challenges in your life. By shifting your perspective, you unlock the courage, focus, and resilience needed to thrive in all areas of life."
"I often talk about 'taking step one'. Most people fail to start. Step one is where the magic is. That’s another important lesson the firewalk teaches us."
I volunteered to break a piece of wood with my bare fist and I succeeded! Of course, with encouragement/cheers from the Chirag and the audience. I brought the broken pieces of wood home to remember the strength within me.
My emotion during the firewalk
Was I scared? Yes, I was!
Although the orientation was inspiring and I was excited to experience the new; as soon as I witnessed fire guns spraying fire on the hot coals just before the walk, there were butterflies in my stomach. Gosh! I was gonna do it!
As I saw everyone ahead of me walk in confidence, I knew I had one chance to fully experience this, and I wanted to enjoy it - not in fear but embracing the energy of fire in its full glory. Indeed I had fun!
How did my feet feel after a Firewalk? - Walking on Hot Coals
Firewalking - Does it hurt? Does it Pain? Does it burn?
I have a very sensitive skin. All of those I knew me, advised me to be careful and plan an after-care.
I am surprised to say this, but I did not burn my skin! Not even a bit!
It did feel like a tight slap on my feet - muscle ache, rather than a burning sensation.
As per the facilitator Chirag Lukha's instruction, I did not look at my feet after the firewalk. I put on my shoes, went back home, took off my shoes, and slept away. The next morning I couldn't resist - I was curious to see how my skin reacted. So I did. There was absolutely nothing! no burn, boils, not even a scratch! I thought to myself that this is all to do with belief, faith, and of course, science!
Can FireWalk be used as a Motivational or Team-building Experience?
Yes! I truly believe that it can be quite an empowering experience - both for individuals as well as a team-building activity where people can encourage and uplift each other to push beyond their beliefs and limitations.
Firewalking is adapted as a part of self-improvement seminars and corporate training programs to inspire confidence, resilience, and a sense of achievement. It has gained popularity as a powerful symbol of mind-body connection and personal transformation.
"The firewalk is one such powerful metaphor which can be used to give someone a profound experience that they can take into all areas of their life. It had such a profound impact on me and I want to share that impact with as many people as possible." says Chirag.
Would I walk on Hot Coals again? Would I recommend Firewalking?
Of course, I would! There are more positive outcomes in this experience than the chance of a mishap. In fact, I would love to incorporate this experience into my future workshops and retreats.
About me:
I am Pallavi Prasad - an award-winning Law of Attraction Manifestation, Mindset, and Mindfulness coach. I am also the author of Bedtime Prompts; Reiki and Pranic Healer.
With over 15 years of experience in manifesting miracles in my own life, I have been helping others live their life to full potential with the help of the universal laws of nature - Law of Attraction, Law of Vibration, and Elements of Energy.
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