Alive Outside…
**Our winter group has concluded— please email shell@earthheartcounseling.com or anna@resilientnaturetherapy.com to be on our announcement list for upcoming groups. Thank you for your interest!
Imagine yourself with a small group of people getting to understand themselves better in the context of the more than human world in nature- from which we are not separate. We will explore what it is like to be with the last days of Autumn and enter with care and intention to the new season of Winter. We will offer invitations to wild knowing as we pause and appreciate the rhythms in this moment of seasonal transition. Each group meeting will build and deepen the connection with the natural landscape, each other, and the relationship with ourselves. While this group works well in a series, we invite you to register for all the Saturdays you can attend.
In this cohort of Alive Outside, we will be introducing nature based “Council Practice” as a way to support individual reflection in the context of supportive community. We will create opportunities for sharing and mirroring of your experience and offer deep listening to what themes or experiences are alive for you this coming Winter season.
We recognize that we as individuals may orient to the season of Winter differently. For some, months of cold can feel invigorating, to others, it feels restrictive or difficult. We offer our group as a safe way to gather together welcoming all of our varied relationships to Winter and all that may come with this time of year. Alive Outside seeks to affirm the wisdom each of us carry while offering shared curiosity in what we may learn from the natural world and each other to support continued growth and healing
Who is this group for?
This group is for adults ages eighteen and over and for all genders. These mornings out in nature are for anyone looking to explore the wisdom of slowing down and inviting the Earth to share about offering the gift of attention for individual and collective healing. Maybe you are a caregiver who needs some nourishment, someone who is looking for support reflecting on the transition from Autumn to Winter or someone who wants to slow down during the holidays and transition to a new year.
What might we be doing?
We will wander the paths of the natural area with various invitations to receive and reflect what the natural world is mirroring back to us in our internal landscape. There will be opportunities to take notice of points of ease in the body and breath. Trauma informed mindfulness, movement, sensory and body awareness practices will be offered and shared group reflection will be facilitated to learn about ourselves from others’ awareness, insights and relationship with the land. There will be space to name impacts of climate change on our individual and collective wellbeing. Nature connection practices can support greater access to your inner resources and build capacity to meet the challenges in life with care, curiosity and compassion.
We will also be introducing a way of individual and group check-in and connection via Council Practice. Council is an ancient and modern tradition whose roots are in the natural world and many wisdom traditions. It is a way of group conversation that fosters deep listening, awareness and experiences of interdependence. In its simplest form, we will gather for part of our time seated in a circle inviting deep listening skills and authentic sharing. Facilitated by Shell and Anna, we may offer prompts or guided questions for our collective to consider and give voice to as a way to have our emerging experiences in this seasonal transition witnessed with non judgment and care.
Do I need to register?
*registration is now closed for this group
This group welcomes participants to participate in all four sessions as a series and encourages those who can not attend all four, to join for the session(s) that they are able. Ongoing registration after our start date may be possible, please inquire for more information. See email addresses below.
There will be a brief phone conversation with everyone to see if the group is a good fit, to answer any questions and to complete the registration process with payment instructions.
Is there a fee?
Yes, we invite you to consider your ability to pay with our sliding scale fee of $100-$200 which covers facilitation for four group sessions, includes support in setting up a sit spot to engage in before and during the group and weekly emails to integrate the practices from the land between groups.
We deeply value your interest and curiosity in learning more about yourself in nature and community. If the above sliding scale is a barrier to your ability to join Alive Outside Embracing Winter, know that no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please indicate your needs on your registration form.
What about the weather?
Part of this experience is to find greater ease with being in the variations of weather in late Autumn and into winter in Central Virginia. Please dress accordingly and pack yourself some water or a warm beverage. Wear/bring layers as needed. There will be times of movement and times of stillness in our time together. We will still hold group with light rain or snow. Heavy precipitation may result in cancellation or rescheduling.
Do I need to be “in shape”?
Our walks will primarily be on the uneven, earthen paths of the Ivy Creek Natural area where there are some inclines in places. We are mindful of varying abilities in movement but know we will not be hiking for distance or speed.
Questions?
Email Shell@earthheartcounseling.com or anna@resilientnaturetherapy.com
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