A Taster of The Nature Mind Programme

If you are unsure if The Nature Mind Programme is for you we offer a 7 day free trial. However, we thought we would give you a bit of a taste of the activities included in the programme here. This activity is a great way to start to reawaken your connection to nature and explore your relationship with the natural world.

Internalising Nature

Take your journal or a piece of paper and walk to an area outdoors where you can collect lots of natural materials. For example, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, moss, acorns or conkers.

• Make yourself comfortable, perhaps sitting cross-legged or lying flat on your back.

• Close your eyes and start focusing on your breath. Notice the changes in your body as you breathe in and out and if your mind wanders bring it gently back to your breath.

• Once your breath has settled into a gentle rhythm, bring your attention to your body.

• Starting with your feet explore any sensations you have; heat, cold, a breeze on your skin.

• Slowly move your awareness up through your body, from your feet up to your knees, hips, belly, fingertips, arms, shoulders, back, neck, head, continuing to breathe in a gentle rhythm.

• Remain in this position for as long as you wish then slowly bring your attention back to your surroundings and open your eyes when you are ready.

Now you are feeling relaxed and ready to start the exercise.

· Slowly walk around the area you have selected and pick out some materials which you find yourself drawn to.

· Find a clear space on the ground and start to arrange the materials as a representation of yourself. This may physically resemble your body or may be more abstract.

· Collect extra materials if you need to.

· Once you have finished take some time to contemplate your representation.

· Using your journal explore the following questions.

1. How does your representation make you feel?

2. What do each of the different elements represent?

3. Why were you drawn to each of the elements you chose?

4. How does the representation relate to you?

5. What have you learnt about yourself?

6. Are there any aspects of your representation which you would want to change or let go of?