Therapeutic Spaces

21/09/2024

Nature as a Mirror for the self ✨🌿

Nature has a helpful way of reflecting the emotions and inner processes we often feel within us. It is more than just a landscape — it is a mirror and teacher, revealing to us aspects of our own lives. 🌳🌊

As we enter the Autumn Equinox, nature shows us the balance between light and dark. We can take this as an invitation to reflect on our own inner balance and to consider the aspects of both light and dark in our own lives.

So, as you connect with the Autumn Equinox, let nature be your mirror. Notice how nature's cycles reflect your own. Breathe deeply, and allow nature to guide you in finding balance, peace and clarity.

09/09/2024

This picture was part of my lovely walk this morning. I could really sense the transition of seasons: the change in the air, the shifting colours and the leaves starting to fall. At Wildwood Days, on Tuesday, we'll be exploring how nature can teach us about journeying with our own transitions. We will have time to slow and explore the wonderful space at wildwood days, using nature-based activities to help us reconnect back to the natural world and its offerings. 🌿

03/09/2024

I came across a his picture of the lifecycle of a blackberry today and felt amazed by the journey it goes through. From seed-to emerging-to flowering-to fruit.
I love how these berries can teach us about our own inner and outer process. For me, a reminder of how I/we are always evolving, transforming and striving for growth. As well as how nothing is permanent.
Have a walk in nature today and see what gifts of reflection or insight you can glean from connecting with what is around you.

02/09/2024

I'm so excited to be offering four more sessions at Wildwood days. The first two will run on a Tuesday evening, and then the next two on Saturdays.
Each session has a different theme. As September, in nature, is a time of transition and change, the first session will offer a chance to learn how nature can support us and teach us about these times.

29/08/2024

After our last weekend of connecting with the elements, with a group of amazing beings, we're heading to our wonderful retreat centre again, at the end of September.
Reach out to find out more.
Amber 🌿

06/08/2024

Well what a nourishing and restful morning we had at Wildwood Days yesterday morning.

With a focus on resting, and how the environment and being on the land, can help us rest (even when life is busy and hectic) we spent two meaningful hours engaged in practices and sharing spaces.

Starting with a restful mindfulness practice to help us arrive, ground and attune to the elements around us, we then spent time connecting with how our process and emotions are reflected in nature and what 'nature' can teach us about how to slow and rest.

There were some meaningful recognitions and amazing insights. From a shared noticing about what a ‘tonic' being outside and connecting with the earth is, to key insights about how we can often be on autopilot in life and the value of slowing/stopping.

Amongst all the gifts of the morning, one of the most special for me was the visit of a deer, who arrived on our path, just at the edge of our sharing circle, paused and then journeyed on.

Whilst the intention of the spaces we create are to connect with how the land or creatures speaks to you personally, the deer can be recognised as a reminder of self-compassion, gentleness and wisdom. It certainly felt like a magical and significant moment for all of us.

With gratitude to the wonderful people who shared the space, and also to the land and creatures who offered such gifts and insight.

24/06/2024

In anticipation of sharing space with some wonderful people, at Wildwood days, this Thursday, I have been reflecting more on the theme of the evening - simplicity.

Sat outside, for five minutes today, in between clients, I noticed the simplicity in watching the swallows fly, the simplicity of the blue sky, the clouds, the sunshine. If I could allow my mind not to get involved in it's habitual pattern of analysing, thinking, remembering, listing, procrastinating, imagining, catastrophising, I could rest in the simplicity of this moment.

I'm hoping the two hours we share together on Thursday will create space to connect with this simplicity and to practice ways of reminding us of how we can access this simplicity in everyday life.
The session can be booked through wildwood days: https://wildwooddays.co.uk/event/reflect-replenish-reconnect-pm/

21/06/2024

If you're looking for a restful evening which will help facilitate a sense of stillness and simplicity, then know you are welcome. 🌱☀️

12/06/2024

YOU ARE NATURE
There is a reason why walking amongst nature is most people’s best advice when depression strikes.
Because walking in nature is a return to ‘home’.
You are not a lover of nature, or a fan of nature, you ARE nature.
You are as much nature as the trees in your garden and the bees on your picnic.
You were designed to live your days out in the wild with your fellow creatures and plants but progress, humanity, had different plans for us all.
And so we exist day-to-day, in our homes, but never ‘home’.
The quickest route back to self, to inner peace, is bare feet on grass, arms around trees, head in the clouds and heart in a forest.
Put your weary bones in water, whenever you can, smell each flower you see and crumble dirt between your tired-of-typing fingers.
You are nature, go home once in a while.
It will bring you much you didn’t even know you were missing.
🌿
Donna Ashworth
This poem is from her newest book ‘Wild Hope’

08/06/2024

On the weekend of June 14th-16th 2024, I'm inviting a small group of people to come to the retreat centre, near Kendal, with me. I will be offering spaces and practices which will help us connect with the land and with our inherent, interconnectedness with the earth, ourselves and each other.

On offer are:
Element based rituals and experiences (earth, air, water, fire, spirit)
Encountering ourselves through encounter with the environment
Reflective mindfulness and nature-connection practices
Guided somatic journeys
Reflective, sharing spaces
A spacious programme with time on the land, in the water and in the woods.
Delicious, vegetarian food
Accommodation in bunk barn or own tent

If any of the above intrigues or excites you, and you want to be involved, please send me a message and I can send you further information about the intention and expectations of the weekend, as well as the cost. Facilitation, food, drinks and a space on the camping field, or in the bunk barn, are included.

Amber x

03/06/2024