Finding Inner Ground
Nature Therapy Days on the Land
Slow down, breathe deep, and connect to the earth around you
How can tending a fire teach you about your inner vision? How might moving across a rugged landscape reflect back to you your own edges? What opens up when you invite nature in to support the questions you hold about your life?
Nature Therapy:
The research has been done, and the results are in: spending time in nature is healing! (but did we really need science to convince us?) Time outdoors regulates the nervous system, reduces stress, and eases symptoms of anxiety and depression. It’s proven to help with ADHD, AND it even enhances creativity. But there’s something more: we are part of the natural world, whether we acknowledge it or not. When we spend intentional time connecting with nature, it will reflect back to us who we are: our strength, cycles, stillness, wildness, messiness, hunger, and beauty. Nature reminds us of our belonging and can return us to our Inner Ground. See below for details:
Next Event:
May 12-13, 2024 - Wilder Connections Camp out. To register contact: carly.joynt.counselling@gmail.com
Finding Inner Ground
Nature Therapy Days on the Land
This program is a soulful exploration of connection: to nature, to self, and to a like-minded group of fellow wild hearts! It weaves practices of nature connection, mindfulness, somatic work, ritual, and the good old-fashioned magic of sharing in a group. Although each day will be different, you can expect a solid dose of the following:
Connecting to your senses/ getting into your body
A radically accepting environment for you to explore what’s on your heart
The whole day spent outdoors, breathing fresh air and getting some dirt under your nails!
Mindfulness practices
A fully guided experience with solo time and group sharing
Both playful and reflective exercises
Practices of nature connection
Intentional and loving reflection from your guide
Touching, smelling, tasting (yes that’s right), diving, basking, rolling in—filling your whole heart and senses with nature!
Each Finding Inner Ground program will also have a theme, based on what's happening in nature (see below for details and dates).
Dates/ Themes:
April: Melting into Spring—-New Beginnings—-Wild Plants
April 16, 2022
June: Summer Solstice—-Fireflies—-Community Fire.
June 18, 2022September: Harvesting Gifts—-Equinox—-Balance
September 17, 2022October: Letting Go—-Tending Roots
October 19, 2022
Depending on interest, extra dates may be added
Logistics
Where: Claremont, Ontario—-Traditional Territories of
When: Various Dates
Time: 11am-4pm
What to Bring?:
Weather-appropriate clothing
Backpack (to carry your stuff)
Water (at least 1.5L)
Medications (if applicable)
Journal and pen
Lunch/ snacks/ whatever you need to keep you going for a day outdoors
Seasonal items, which may be addressed in the welcome email for each program
Cost: The cost of this event is $65 plus HST
Group Size: Group is limited to 12 people/ event
To Register: contact Carly at carly.joynt.counselling@gmail.com to arrange registration and e-transfer.
About your guide
Carly has spent the last 15 years in a long-term relationship with nature. From her ecological studies at Fleming College, to her time teaching survival skills to kids, all the way through to her stint running back-country camps for teen girls, nature has housed her work and her heart. After all, they say if you want to learn about secure attachment—-go to nature! Carly has studied nature-based community building and rites of passage through the Art of Mentoring, and brings this influence to her current work as an Integrative Counsellor and Somatic Group Facilitator. Whatever the work she is doing, Carly strives to bring a radical acceptance to those participating. When not running programs, Carly can be found taking dips in wild bodies of water, writing emo poetry, and going on road trips!
Commonly Asked Questions:
Who is this program for?
Anyone 18 or older. Hint: if you’re still reading, this program is likely for you! NO YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A NATURE NERD TO COME TO THIS PROGRAM*** Nor do you need to be a camper, avid outdoors person, or have any type of formal experience to be welcome here. Nature is healing because we are nature- it’s a mirror and it’s home base.
What kinds of issues can Nature Therapy address?:
The beauty of nature connection is that it works to meet you right where you are. This is why all folks are welcome. You might find yourself in the midst of a drastic upheaval or moving through a life stage transition. Maybe you’re asking some big questions about your life, or tending a loss or a new beginning. You could be struggling with some emotional content or past wounds, OR you could just be looking to ground and de-stress. Wherever the starting point, nature therapy can support you.
“The land knows you, even when you are lost”
Robin Wall Kimmerer