Forest Bathing and Nature Journaling experience (Brisbane)

This special 3-hour experience blends forest bathing and mindful nature journalling/art.

No prior experience is needed - and you don't have to be 'good' at art!

Led by ANFT certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide Monique Ross, this experience can help you unwind and recharge, renew a childlike sense of wonder about the world, make you feel more grounded and present, and deepen your relationship with yourself and those around you.

Let's wander, together, to a place of calm, clarity and connection.

Where?

This small group experience takes place at the beautiful Mount Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens in Brisbane/Meanjin, on Turrbal and Yuggera country.

Ample parking is available on site.

Details of where to meet on the day will be provided via email 48 hours prior to the event. Please ensure you use the correct email when registering.

What to expect?

This event has a maximum of 10 participants, and is suitable for people 10 years and over.

It runs for 3 hours and begins with forest bathing.

Your certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Monique Ross, will lead you through a mindfulness meditation to help you to switch off and slow down.

In partnership with the land, Monique will then offer a series of simple and open ‘invitations’, carefully crafted to help you explore and engage in any way that feels right to you. You might be guided, for example, to explore using your sense of touch, or notice the breeze, or listen to birdsong. Everything is optional and open to your interpretation and imagination

From there, we will flow into nature journaling.

Nature journaling is the practice of drawing or writing in response to nature.It calms your mind and increases your ability to notice details and appreciate things. Importantly, you don't need any experience in drawing or writing to do it, and you don't need to be 'good' at art. Monique will offer you simple exercises and prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Note: Some art materials and sketchbooks will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own if you have favourite materials to work with. You may keep your sketchbook at the end of the day!

This is a very gentle experience that is intentionally slow; you can expect to travel no further than 2kms over the entire course of the walk.

The path should be manageable for all fitness levels, as well as assisted wheelchair users.

If you have any accessibility or mobility concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Your Guide

Monique Ross is an experienced certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, who trained with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. She is the founder of Heartwood Nature Bathing. 

She also teaches regular basket weaving workshops.

Monique has up-to-date certifications in Remote and Wilderness Area First Aid, and full public liability insurance. All of the appropriate permits have been secured.

What to bring

• A bottle of water, sunscreen and a hat (or a raincoat or umbrella if rainy!)
• To be wearing clothes you feel comfortable in (it does not have to be hiking gear!)
• A small cushion to sit on if you do not want to sit directly on the ground. (A pillowcase works really well, too!)
• A bag or backpack to store your keys and personal items
• An open heart

Art and journaling materials are provided for you, however if you have a preferred medium to work in, you are very welcome to bring your own.

Any questions?

Get in touch - hello@heartwoodnaturebathing or find me on Instagram and Facebook.

Heartwood looks forward to sharing moments of connection in nature together with you.

You are welcome, exactly as you are.