Nature Therapy: Walking and Tea WITH Nature
Julie Ann Gandulla is a Natural Wellness Educator and Certified Nature Therapy Guide in the Bozeman, MT area. We began at the trailhead of Drinking…
Author: Julie
Author, philosopher, natural wellness educator, and outdoor enthusiast, Julie lives in her home state of Montana with her daughter and son, and their two dogs. She lives within arms-reach of the Absarokas, Bridgers, Crazies, Gallatin, Madison, and Tobacco Root Mountain ranges. Her passion for the wilderness and nature wellness work has led her to the creation and opening of “reWild – Center for Reconnection,” where she works with individuals and groups on nature connectedness coaching, front and back country guide work, breathwork, natural wellness, Tai Chi, and more. Julie holds her BA in Philosophy, is a Certified Tai Chi instructor, Breathwork Coach, published author of The Magic, and a Certified Nature Therapy Guide. You can visit her on newly minted Facebook account at ReWild MT, her website at reWildMT.com, or email at rewildmt@gmail.com.
We began at the trailhead of Drinking Horse with introductions, description of trail, safety points, and nature walk theme (“Walking WITH Nature”). Participants were instructed that the walk theme would be highlighting different ways to interact with Nature, as one would interact with any companion in conversation, or in an activity.
The first part of the walk was dedicated to feeling/touch: where as we walk, talk, stop, observe, we take note of how we can feel Nature communicating with us, and actively contrast that experience with different individuals in our lives and how touch may or may not play out in our interactions.
I very much enjoyed this walk and felt it went over well. I can see how the individual dynamics of the person or group dictates the flow of the walk. I also could see how difficult it would be to keep the walk on target when individuals talk or play. I tried hard to strike a balance of letting everyone enjoy their walk WITH nature, which includes play, but simultaneously not derail the walk. I felt I did a good job managing practical issues (e.g., route, safety, and expectations), with free-play, and theme-work (i.e., exercises with the senses).