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1 day Re-wilds for frazzled humans
IS IT FOR ME?
You already know that a simple thing like a walk on the beach can help you see things differently, relax and recharge. Now, more and more research is revealing how time in nature can help improve your mental and physical wellbeing, manage stress, increase focus and bring joy. These fun and gently challenging micro-adventures will give you new techniques and insights into the power of nature connection. You will find how slowing down in nature reveals new things about the world and about yourself. You do not have to be an outdoor person at all, but you may find that something is calling you to put that device down and come and just be for a while. You will come away refreshed and with a whole new repertoire of ways to “be in the bush”.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
Each day will be different depending on the delights of the area, the weather and the needs of who turns up. You will be gently guided through activities to open up your senses to nature and to reflect on your own nature; including walking, relaxation, tracking, eating and talking together, a mini solo time to yourself and lots of wandering, making, mooching and general mucking about. A delicious lunch and hot drinks are provided. Come on one or both.
WHO RUNS IT?
Your guide is Liana Stupples. She will help you feel relaxed and open to new experiences, and stick beside you as you challenge yourself. She is a person who can find the playful side of most things and she commits to bringing an engaging energy as well as sensitive facilitation skills to every event she runs. She has a deep love and appreciation of the natural world. Liana runs a smart and safe programme; she has a MSc in Natural Resource Management, has a strength in eco-psychology theory and practice, holds a Diploma in Outdoor Adventure and is current in advanced first aid.
WHERE IS IT AND HOW DO I GET THERE?
Sun 23 October, Kapiti Coast. Meeting Point: Waikanae train station. Start 10.15 am. Finish 5.00 pm
Sun 06 November, Rimutuka Park. Meeting Point: Petone Train Station. Start 10 am Finish 5.00 pm
Drive or take public transport to the meeting point from where we will ride share to the location.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
There are limited places so book now. Contact Re-wild Yourself by phone 021 154 6034 or email liana.stupples@gmail.com with your name, email and phone contact details and any information about your diet, mobility or health needs. Further details on location and what to bring are provided after you have booked.
Cost: $50pp. If you book more than one day: $45pp. Early Bird $40pp before Sept 18th.
WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS SAID:
“It was the best fun I have had in a long time. It felt like a treat for the body and for the soul. Now I have a whole new repertoire of ways to nourish and be nourished by nature.”
“Liana was an enchanting leader … It was an invigorating afternoon, with everyone leaving with smiles and wild sparkles in their eyes“.
“Some time out, and a chance to lose time, think and explore. Luxury.”
Ten Reasons to Re-wild Yourself
People ask me “So what is re-wilding and why would you do it to yourself?”
To help answer that question I have put together an infographic with 10 reasons to Re-wild Yourself and some fantastic quotes. As a start re-wilding is just spending more time aware and part of nature. There are some great references on the web documenting all the benefits for our health and wellbeing this can bring (e.g. compiled by the BBC and The Centre for Confidence and Wellbeing). And there is more. Re-wilding can bring about profound changes in you and in the culture around you. The more you tune into the patterns of nature the more you will discover about yourself and find new approaches and paths for your life. Your Re-wild journey will be unique for you but there are techniques and activities that can help you on the way and guides that can support you.
Rewilding is not going back in time to cave “man” days nor cutting yourself off from society; it is tapping into a great source of joy and inspiration, hard lessons and comfort and so much more. It is about living fully today and being part of making a saner world that means more of us can flourish.
You can download the full infographic here: re-wild 10 reasons
If you want to explore what re-wilding could mean for you get in touch with me, Liana.
Liana
Youth and Loving Nature
I spend a lot of time taking young people out into nature, mostly the local kids and scouts. It could be a full weekend camp or just a night picnic in a local forest. I do this because I really believe that helping kids know in their bodies the pleasure of being outside will be something that can be with them for the rest of their lives. Oh and because its an excuse for me to get out too!
Kids and Teens need unstructured, off-line “play” for healthy mental and physical development. More and more research is emerging about this; as explained for example, in The Washington Post‘s recent article “Ten ways to help kids fall in love with being outside”.
Here are a three winners from me for all ages:
- Any version of a hide and seek game – we have an ever morphing game called Mouse and Karearea which involves being super stealthy and quiet and then intense moments of action, using all the senses and diving head first into bushes. It always ends with “can we play again?”
- A mini night solo – sitting on a track spaced about 10 m apart in silence and with your torch off just listening and looking and feeling then sharing about the experience after. It always grounds and brings more cohesion to a group of kids.
- Unstructured fossicking – encouraging young people wherever we are to look out for interesting nature things and to celebrate and ask questions about what we find; a dead jellyfish, poo!, a crayfish shell. This encourages curiosity and learning and builds confidence and wonder.
Right, off to organise a midwinter swim….
Liana
Nothing beats mucking about in the river!
What happened at the Re-wild Retreat?
The Re-wild Yourself retreat was wonderful – for me the facilitator – but more importantly, for the wildsters who came along;
“It was the best fun I have had in a long time; with a great mix of luxury and groundedness. It felt like a treat for the body and for the soul. Now I have a whole new repertoire of ways to nourish and be nourished by nature.” L
WHAT DID WE DO?
We spent three days based at a charming and comfortable off grid lodge in the foothills of the Tararua Range near Carterton, Wairarapa.
“The lodge was: peaceful and inviting, spacious yet cosy with the log burner and candles adding to the ambience. Being off-grid added to the ethos”.
Through guided outdoor and indoor activities we experienced new ways to connect with nature and to ourselves. The programme included:
- Gentle wanders and sensory walks
- 1-4 hour solo time (supported to be safely by yourself)
- Loads of yummy nourishing food, including wild food
- Exploring tracking techniques
- Soaking in an portable eco hot tub under the stars
- Trying out relaxation techniques
- Sharing stories and song around a campfire
- Enjoying a massage
- Creating environmental “art”
- Relating your wild experiences to the rest of life
- Playing in the river
“What a fabulous way to savour a few days. It was an energising yet peaceful treat. I came away feeling recharged, and more in touch with myself and nature.” T
HOW DID PARTICIPANTS FEEL?
“Here’s just some of what I liked about the retreat: Your care and crafting of the activities, including the balance of group and individual exploration. Some time out, and a chance to lose time, think and explore. Luxury.”
“I’m feeling light of spirit, delighted, ever so slightly light in the head…. with fond memories of candle light too… thanks Liana and co-wildees for a nuturing, adventurous weekend journey and treat.” T
“I really enjoyed the opportnity to strip back the layers of a challenge and the luxury of time and permiossion to expereince nature without a specific purpose or job to do”
IS IT FOR YOU?
The retreats are for anybody who is curious about what focussed time in nature can do for them. We all know that getting out into the wild world can help you to see things differently, relax and recharge. The retreat, through fun, engaging and gently challenging micro-adventures aims to give you new techniques and insights into the power of nature connection. You do not need to be a super-fit outdoor ninja to attend – but if you are, you may find that slowing down in nature reveals new things. You may not even think you are an outdoor person, but there is something calling you to put your device down and come and just “be” for a while.
“Everyone would benefit from this kind of retreat. I’m so Grateful for the opportunity to participate. I had always felt connected to nature, but now I will approach her with more humbled and awakened senses. I have been given much to reflect on. The retreat felt like a personal journey as well as a shared one.” M
WHO HOSTED IT?
The guide is me, Liana Stupples.
Liana somehow helps you feel relaxed and open to new experiences; she will stick beside you as you challenge yourself. She can find the playful side of most things and she commits to bringing an engaging energy as well as sensitive facilitation skills to every event she runs. She has a deep love and appreciation of the natural world, particularly the Aotearoa bit. After a varied international “career” she has now relented to doing what she enjoys and believes makes a difference; connecting people and nature. Liana runs a smart and safe programme; she has a MSc in Natural Resource Management, has a strength in eco-psychology theory and practice, holds a Diploma in Outdoor Adventure and is current in advanced first aid.
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