Slow Trails - Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy Walks

🌿 Have you heard about Friluftsliv?

The Nordic Secret to a nature connected life 🌲

I’ve been diving into “The Open-Air Life” by Linda Åkeson McGurk, and it’s all about a beautiful Nordic lifestyle called Friluftsliv.
This concept, rooted in outdoor living, encourages us to connect with nature daily, no matter the weather. It’s about finding joy and peace in the simplest outdoor experiences.

How do I do it? With two kids and a busy life, I make small adjustments:

🍃Micro-Outdoor Moments: I take short breaks outside, even if it’s just stepping out for 10 minutes during lunch. I feel the fresh air, stretch, and breathe.

🪴Bring Nature Home:
I bring nature in. I open windows, add more plants to our space, and let natural light fill our home.

🥾Weekend Nature Ritual:I dedicate a part of my weekend to outdoor activities—whether it’s a hike with my dog, guiding a Forest Bathing walk, or just enjoying a walk to my local park.

☀️Morning Ritual: Between dropping off my 5th grader and my high schooler, I have about an hour. I spend it in my local park practicing forest bathing, grounding, or outdoor yoga. When I skip this, I can really feel a difference in how my day is going to unfold.

How do you embrace Friluftsliv? I would love to know!

👉🏼Please comment and share your ways of connecting with nature. 🌳✨

🌕Imagine standing under a full moon, the gentle light filtering through the trees, the sounds of the forest coming alive around you.

This isn’t just a walk in the woods – it’s a journey into the heart of nature, a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly connect with the world around you under and the magic of the moonlit night.

I’m thrilled to invite you to our Full Moon Forest Bathing session on Saturday, August 17th.

Under my guidance and within the safe environment of the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, we will explore the forest under the gentle glow of the full moon.

To end the evening, we’ll gather for a refreshing herbal tea, sharing stories and reflections.

Tickets are limited to 10 participants so secure your spot now for an unforgettable evening under the 🌝.
👉🏼 Link in Bio

🌲✨ First « solo » hike with my 11-month-old puppy was a success! 🐾 We ventured deep into nature and even enjoyed a bit of forest bathing. Feeling connected. 🌿w Happy Sunday.

So excited to share my upcoming fall retreat - 0ct 11-14 east Texas🍂
more info and registration here
🌸 https://www.slowtrails.earth/retreatsurrender2024

🌊 The Mediterranean Sea had been my playground, my gym, my therapist, my date scene, my working space, and so much more. Sitting here, I’m flooded with happy memories. This place has shaped who I am. 💙

Enjoying the view from my terrace filled with the most beautiful cacti and succulents. These green friends are a real treat for the senses. Nature truly is an art master.

Save the dates. October 11 - 14
More info coming soon 🍂

As a nature and forest therapist, everything related to nature deeply affects me and my work. With the recent floods in the Dallas area and the continuous rain, I’ve been reflecting on how to cope with these changes.

Many of us are feeling sad about the damage to our beautiful trees and the gloomy weather affecting our moods.

I wanted to share five ways I’ve been coping with the flood's effects and the rain, hoping it might help you too:

1.🌱
Repotting and Replanting:
I take walks in my neighborhood and collect pieces of branches from fallen trees. I’ve been repotting and replanting them, giving these trees a second chance to grow again.

2. 🌿 Grounding
Practicing grounding by putting my bare feet on the wet grass. The fresh feeling is invigorating and the health benefits of grounding are well worth it.

3🍃 Enjoying the Fresh Weather:
Despite the rain, I’ve been taking walks to enjoy the unusually cool and fresh weather for this time of year.

4. 💧 Listening to the Rain:
The sound of rain soothes and relaxes me. It’s a reminder of nature’s rhythms and can be quite calming.

5. 🔍 Researching Positive Impacts:
I’ve been researching the positive impacts of a lot of rain and flooding on nature. It’s fascinating to learn how floods can distribute nutrients, replenish groundwater, create wetlands, support aquatic life, and deposit fertile sediments. This knowledge helps me see the silver lining in these challenging times.

Stay safe and remember that nature has its own ways of healing and renewing itself, just as we do.

With love,
Laurence 🌿

I felt both sadness and wonder😢

Last night's storm in North Texas was a powerful reminder of nature's incredible force. Walking through my neighborhood park (where I practice Forest bathing), I saw the evidence everywhere—fallen trees, broken branches, and scattered debris.

I was in shock, 😱I know some of these trees, I have connected with them in different ways. I was now witnessing nature’s raw power.

As a nature and forest therapy guide, I often ask my participants to share a story with a tree. Usually, people share beautiful, positive memories. But I remember one woman who shared a different kind of story. A tree had fallen through her roof, right into her bedroom, and she was deeply traumatized by it. She joined my walk to heal from this trauma and to reconnect with nature, despite her fear.

Some neighbors I had never spoken to before shared about the trees that were down and express gratitude for being safe. 🌳

I Hope you too are safe. Feel free to share a picture in the comments.

I am so honored to have been a part of this event. The experience was truly enriching, and I am eagerly looking forward to attending the next one. LINK is all about connecting and empowering women through diverse experiences and inspiring speakers. Each event is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of a supportive community.

🌎Happy earth day!!! A gift for you. 🎁

Earth Day is a special opportunity to celebrate our planet and recommit ourselves to its care.

Today, I want to share with you a profound principle that has deeply influenced my practice as a certified nature and forest therapy guide: the principle of

"Reciprocity"

💕This concept, introduced by Amos Clifford, the founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides, teaches us that our relationship with nature can and should be a mutual exchange.

🌳When we practice forest bathing, we're not just walking through a forest; we are engaging in a reciprocal relationship with the natural world. By opening our senses—touching the rugged bark, inhaling the fragrance of pine, listening to the whisper of leaves—we receive nourishing benefits and, in return, offer our attention and care.

🚶🏽‍♀️I must confess, my own relationship with nature wasn’t always this reciprocal. For years, it was a one-directional interaction. It was only when I began to practice mindfulness and later, forest bathing, that I realized this relationship could be more like opening our hearts to a loved one.

🌱 I don’t engage in eco-friendly practices out of fear for the future anymore but because of a sense of connection with nature.

🎁A Gift for You

In the spirit of reciprocity and Earth Day, I am thrilled to offer you these 12 Nature and Forest Bathing Invitation Cards.

These cards are designed to help you practice forest bathing on your own, guiding you to deepen your personal connection with nature and thereby enrich your practice of reciprocity.

I hope you will enjoy them. Please don't hesitate to let me know what you noticed!

Visit my website to download your set of cards:
https://www.slowtrails.earth/

Scooting trails for the Renew Retreat in May. So grateful for this ME time and the beauty around me. It’s gonna be sooo GOOD!!!. 😃🌸🍃

An invitation for you ☺🌿

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I Will be leading this workshop tomorrow inside Gaby Yassinskiy ‘s amazing membership. She is a holistic coach who will you to heal your relationship with anxiety. 😀
https://gyholistichealth.com/monthly-workshop/

Happy International Women's Day!

This day holds a special place in my heart for two reasons. First, it's my daughter's 14th birthday—a day that marked the beginning of my journey towards becoming a better version of myself, striving every day to learn to be a mom. Second, for those who know me, my life's work revolves around connecting women with nature, with themselves, and with each other. Through my events and retreats, I aim to create a welcoming and safe space for these connections to flourish. Organizing these retreats is a labor of love, and I'm incredibly thankful for all the wonderful women who have joined us so far.

To celebrate this day together, I'm excited to offer a
* $100 discount on every registration for our king bed accommodation until tomorrow, Saturday at 10 am.

Hurry though, as spaces are filling up fast—we only have one twin bed spot left! If you've been hesitating, now is the perfect time to take the leap and join us for a time of renewal.

Registration and more information here:https://www.slowtrails.earth/retreat-renew

👉🏼 ticket link in bio