With Holli Richey and the Georgia Herbalist Guild; all are welcome; Elsie Holmes Nature Park, Ringgold, GA; FREE
Sunday, April 17th, 10:30 am
Experience the life-changing practice of mindfulness in nature. Be present with the body and senses. Simply rest in natural awareness, grounded, and discover the intimate engagement of life within life. Within this sacred context, gain skills in how to work with difficult thoughts and feelings to reduce stress and anxiety. Forest Bathing, also called Shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese concept of immersing oneself in the rich sensory experience of the forest with open awareness and no expectations. The body and mind “bathes” in the smells, sounds, light, movement, taste and feel of the forest. Research in Japan is providing evidence of what nature-lovers have intuitively known for years: that reconnecting to the forest will heal us. Studies show, specifically, that intentional forest walking elevates the mood, reduces stress hormones such as cortisol, boosts the immune system, and reduces the heart rate. Experience it for yourself.
The Plan:
We will meet at the Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park in Ringgold, GA of Catoosa County. 88 Ben Holmes Road, Ringgold, GA 30736 http://www.catoosarec.com/elsie-a-holmes-nature-park.html Elsie Holmes Park is along the South Chickamauga Creek and is home to trillium, bloodroot, Jacob’s ladder, Solomon’s seal, enormous green dragons and the endemic Mountain Skullcap.
Bring your lunch and something light and portable to sit on (plastic bag will do) to eat by the banks of the South Chickamauga Creek. Wear shoes with good tread and if you have a hiking stick or pole, it could be useful on the last, short segment, which is a fairly steep incline.
After the walk, we will be in the screened pavilion for the lecture on herbs for stress reduction. There are restrooms located near the pavilion.
10:30 am Arrival, followed by meditation in the pavilion
11:00-12:00 Forest Bathing
12:00-12:30 Lunch by the banks of the S. Chick Creek
12:30-1:30 Forest Bathing
1:30-2:30 Lecture on Herbs for Stress Reduction
About Holli Richey:
Holli Richey RH(AHG), LCSW is a registered herbalist and mindfulness-oriented psychotherapist practicing mind-body-spirit care at the Erlanger Community Health Centers in Chattanooga, TN. Holli has studied plant medicine for 20 years and has led plant walks for 15 years. Holli facilitates nature-based therapy, herb walks and Forest Bathing (shinrin-yoku) retreats in the mountains of southeastern Tennessee. Holli graduated from Maryland University of Integrative Health with a MS in Herbal Medicine and the University of Georgia, School of Social Work. Visit her blog at hollirichey.com.
I wanna come!!! 😃😩
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Looking forward to attending.