While mindful walking has no single definition, the goal is clear: to be consciously aware while moving through the landscape. The journey becomes less about the destination and more about an awareness of our relationship between the inner and outer realms of being.

Walking is something that many able-bodied folks have the privilege of experiencing every single day. It is a gift to be able to walk freely and to explore a landscape without much limitation or thought. This is an opportunity to  slow down, awaken your senses, connect to your body and breath, and receive the healing benefits of nature. 

It's also an opportunity to cultivate gratitude for simple things that are also paradoxically profound, to contemplate the privilege of walking that many of us take for granted, to consider how we can help make outdoor spaces more accessible so that people with physical disabilities or limitations have the same opportunities for nature connection.

When we combine the benefits of walking, mindfulness, gratitude AND nature connection the improvements to overall wellbeing are enormous!

Here are only SOME of the health benefits: 

MOVEMENT: 

For our mental health, physical exercise reduces depression & stress, lifts overall mood, and improves cognitive function. In addition, the more active we are the lower the risk of: coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colon and breast cancer, and more.

MINDFULNESS:

Mindfulness techniques help improve physical health in a number of ways. It can help relieve stress, treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, , improve sleep, and alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties.

GRATITUDE: 

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

NATURE CONNECTION:

Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.

SOCIAL CONNECTION:

The benefits of social connections and good mental health are numerous. Proven links include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

OVERVIEW:

- 10-10:30: welcome & introductions

- 10:30-11:30: slow, mindful walking in mostly silence. Facilitated prompts/invitations will be offered either at the beginning or throughout.

- 11:30-12: harvest & closing

WHAT TO WEAR / BRING:

- Please wear whatever you will feel most comfortable in. If you want to prevent bug bites, wear long clothing and close toed shoes.

- Drinking water

- Chair for sitting

- Walking stick if necessary

- Bug repellant

- Sun screen

ACCESSIBILITY / LOCATION NOTES:

- Gravel roads and mowed grassy area for parking

- Meeting in the grass under the Grandmother Oak Tree

- Trails: natural surface trails include mowed grass trails along the fields and narrow foot paths through the forests

- Rest rooms: outdoor privy / not wheelchair accessible

A NOTE ON COVID-19

Out of respect for one another, we ask that all attendees come prepared to honor social distancing guidelines with masks as optional.

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We strive to be diverse, intergenerational and accessible people of all walks of life. Please contact us when you'll be attending with children or when accessibility is a concern so that we can be as accommodating as possible.