Family A.W.E.ctober - Attuned With Earth

Forest Bathing & Mindful Photography session

This unique collaboration merges the quiet, healing practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) with the creative exploration of Mindful Photography — offering a rich opportunity to slow down, appreciate nature’s peace and view yourself and your surroundings with fresh eyes.

The sessions, led by Dorota Kiedrowska (founder of Nature Minds) in collaboration with Kelly McIntyre (founder of Present Focus), aim to foster health, wellbeing and a deep connection with nature in our community. Participants will enjoy gentle, guided walk, creative nature art and photography, wild tea ceremony, relaxation in hammocks and more — all designed to bring respite from daily demands, boost wellbeing and help families appreciate their local woodlands in all seasons.

This the fifth session in a series. The 10-month programme concludes with a pocket guide and photo exhibition, featuring images taken by participants — a lasting legacy of their experience.

The free pocket Forest Bathing guide will be translated into Polish and Ukrainian, designed in collaboration with Strathmore Design.

Who is it for

• If you are needing to get away from it all and disconnect for a couple of hours from all the overwhelming demands of work, family and your own expectations - "the forest has your back" ("Your guide to Forest Bathing", Clifford, A., p. XII).
• If you're in need of some TLC - this may be a useful tool in your self-care box to aid a process of emotional healing.
• If you are mulling over some important questions and trying to find answers - you'll get some quiet time to work things out with a fresh perspective.
• If you are a creative who's looking for inspirations and the energy of flow - there's plenty of it in the forest.
• If you want to ease yourself back into fitness or need to take things slowly while recovering from an injury - this is a very gentle physical activity that will tick that box of being outdoors for the day without straining yourself.
• If you are feeling a little bit lost, lonely and longing for a meaningful connection - this may be a chance to meet other like-minded people. Besides, you're never alone amongst the trees.
• If you intend to spend more time outside but you're not sure where to go or are not feeling safe to go on your own - you can relax knowing that you'll be in a risk-assessed public area, yet in a quiet spot where you can be yourself.
• If you struggle to sleep because your mind can't switch off and keeps going over things - this might help to relax the mind and rest better at night.
• If your memory seems a bit scattered and you keep forgetting things - scientific research provides evidence for attention restoration after spending time in Nature.
• If you enjoy trying new things and are looking for something different to do in your area - this might take your fancy.
• If you'd like to bring a bit of playfulness into your relationship with a family member, a friend or a colleague - neutral and non-judgemental support of the natural environment may help with that.
• If you'd like to get to know someone on a deeper level - bring them along to this session.
• If you are a Nature lover - you don't need any proof or excuse to come. You already know how good it feels to be in the woods... And you might be surprised how different this experience is with a guide.

What to expect

Forest Bathing is a Japanese tradition of spending time in a woodland environment for physical, mental and social wellbeing. Nature Minds forest bathing walks are designed as an intentional process of connecting with more-than-human world through senses, breathing, reflection and visualisation. Mindful photography Elements of mindfulness meditation are interwoven into the practices. It is a guided outdoor wellbeing practice including group work and mindful connection with Nature.

Participants will be invited to follow guided activities in silence with opportunities to share their observations afterwards with the rest of the group should they wish to.

No knowledge of trees and wildlife is required, it is not an information-based session, please do not expect to be taught how to forage or ID species etc. We’ll be working with body and mind through activating our senses and using mindfulness, compassion and gratitude to connect with Nature and ourselves. It’s a rather relaxed way of being with an open, beginner’s mind, tapping into our inner child’s playful curiosity about the surroundings.

Please note: there will be no actual bathing in water, just being surrounded by trees and green space.

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is a Japanese practice of immersing oneself in the rich, healing atmosphere of the forest. Guided by a skilled facilitator, participants slow down and connect their senses — sights, smells, sounds, textures — to nature's peace and renewal.

Evidence shows this practice can ease stress, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and promote overall wellbeing. Please note, it’s not literal “bathing”—but letting nature nourish you, offering peace, renewal and a deep feeling of connection.

Mindful Photography aspect is to focus on "Learning to See". This means really encouraging everyone to slow down, be present and consciously observe their surroundings. Participants will be guided to think about: perspective, framing, elements. The aim is to make the act of seeing itself a mindful practice, deeply connected to the sensory experience of forest bathing. There won't be any pressure to take "perfect" photos, just to engage with nature through a new lens.

Fitness level

Please note, this is not a workout or destination oriented walk. We won’t go very far, maybe half a mile or less. It is a slow-paced, leisurely, non-strenuous, suitable for most people low-level activity stroll, allowing curiosity and mindful connection with a more-than-human world. It is not so much about walking as it is about noticing and wondering, following guided open-ended invitations. It does not matter whether you’re in shape or not, however this walk is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you are a wheelchair user and would like to participate in a Forest Bathing session, please get in touch at dorota@natureminds.co.uk and I may be able to adapt future routes and practices and organise an event in a more suitable area.

Trail

Short, accessible and reasonably easy to walk on (not suitable for wheelchairs).

Essential equipment

Suitable outdoor clothing (lots of layers) and footwear. Bring your own snack and tea. It may be a good idea to bring something to sit on (lightweight camping chair/blanket/mat, if you’d rather not be sitting on the ground), although we will have spares. Use your own insect repellent prior to the session.

Group size

For the quality of experience group size for this session is limited to 16 people maximum (including children age 10+). Minimum of 4 bookings are required for the walk to go ahead.

Safety

We will try to avoid busy areas and move from the meeting place to a more secluded spot to make everyone feel comfortable and not worry about being watched or disturbed. The site will be risk assessed prior to the event, however the outdoor environment may change and requires ongoing dynamic risk-assessment, which participants will be made aware of. In addition, for your piece of mind, I also have up-to-date outdoor first aid training and will be carrying a first aid kit. Insect repellent is advisable to apply before the start of the walk (use your own). Details about the meeting place will be sent out in an email after confirmation of your booking.

Tickets

The A.W.E. project is funded by Scottish Forestry and Alyth Development Trust, therefore entry is free, however, donations are welcome. Majority of spaces will be reserved for referrals from community groups, health practitioners or social prescribers — please get in touch if you'd like to refer someone by emailing dorota@natureminds.co.uk.

Weather

The walk will go ahead in most weathers, it is therefore essential to wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear, bearing in mind that a slow walk will not keep you as warm as usual brisk walking. Some invitations may include sitting or lying down on the ground, walking barefoot or dipping your toes in a river (you can always opt out from any particular practice or choose an alternative). Please note that in case of severe weather conditions, the walk will be rescheduled and you will receive an email from the organiser with a new date.

Testimonials

You’re welcome to visit natureminds.co.uk to read about other people’s experiences of the guided forest bathing and nature-connection walks, as well as Present Focus to find out more about the mindful photography workshops. We hope you have a positive and insightful experience yourself, which you may wish to share on our websites post-event. You can send your testimonial to dorota@natureminds.co.uk or kelstarmac@me.com and we will be most obliged for it as it will encourage more people to connect with Nature mindfully.

STAND OUTSIDE - BE OUTSTANDING!

Above images are from the Den of Alyth.