How fit do I need to be?

A low level of fitness and some mobility is required to fully participate. Nature based yoga is suitable for beginners and every body. Forest bathing is a gentle, slow experience rather than a paced bushwalk. There is a full flight of stairs into the hall and the ground may be uneven.

What do I need to bring?

All participants are invited to bring a simple vegetarian and low gluten offering for lunch or morning tea.You might like to bring your own:Water bottle Yoga matShawl/blanket for outdoor rests and maybe a cushionJournal & writing/drawing equipment These can also be provided if you make a note in the booking form.

The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a less humanised area. There may be spiders, snakes, ticks and leeches.It will also be colder than you think, and we'll be outside a lot. You'll want to wear or bring: Warm, comfortable clothes for being outside Sturdy enclosed shoesYour choice of sun & insect repelling clothes, lotions or spraysRain gear - jacket or umbrella

Is there phone signal?

You can stay offline the whole time if you want to! Otherwise, please be aware that there may be limited phone signal

Nature Connection Day Retreat - 21 June

Name: Nature Connection Day Retreat - 21 June
Start: 2026-06-21T09:45:00+1000
End: 2026-06-21T16:00:00+1000
Location: The Old Witta School Community Centre Inc.

Sun, 21 Jun, 9:45am - 4pm AEST

The Old Witta School Community Centre Inc.

Witta QLD, Australia

Held Outside

173 followers · Contact host

Lineup

Grounding circles
Forest bathing
Nature yoga and sound meditation
Introduction to weaving natural fibres
Shared meals

Description

A down-to-Earth day dedicated to relaxing into, and connecting with nature.

Come and slow down in a beautiful setting, with other nature-lovers, deepening your connection with nature and giving your nervous system what it needs.

What to expect

A gentle day of relaxing and connecting activities of forest bathing, nature-based yoga and sound meditation, weaving workshop and shared meals with 9 - 18 nature lovers
Held in the picturesque Sunshine Coast Hinterland, at the Old Witta School community centre and grounds. (Witta is the next locality westward after you drive through Maleny. The soaring views along the way make it a scenic drive)
Group activities are of an invitational nature, facilitated by experienced guides
We invite each participant to contribute a small plate of simple vegetarian, low gluten food for our shared meals.
Arrive 9:45am for a 10:00am start.

Payment

About the land and your guides

Old Witta School is on Jinibara Country, the traditional lands of the people of the 'Jini' or the lawyer cane vine, across valleys of forest. We recognise the tens of thousands of years of ways of being and relating which uphold nature connection and the rights of nature in Jinibara and across First Nations cultures.

This day retreat is coordinated by Jay Ridgewell and supported by Monique Ross and Sara Aiken. We three women friends share a love for the more-than-human-world and being immersed in nature.


Jay is a nature connection guide and advocate with a background in science education and a love of napping under trees. Learn more about Jay. Jay is the owner/founder of Held Outside Nature Connection Experiences Connect with Jay at Held Outside Nature Connection	Monique Ross is a Forest Therapy Guide and basket weaving teacher who believes nature offers each of us a path home. Learn more about Monique. Monique is the owner/found of Heartwood Nature Bathing Connect with Monique at Heartwood_with_Mon	Sara Aiken is inspired by the wild and sacred rhythms of nature ... of soft ferns, lush mosses, and dappled sunlight. She guides forest bathing yoga flows and immersive sound meditation baths. Connect with Sara at Essential Nature Connection

Jay is a nature connection guide and advocate with a background in science education and a love of napping under trees.

Learn more about Jay.
Jay is the owner/founder of Held Outside Nature Connection Experiences
Connect with Jay at Held Outside Nature Connection

Monique Ross is a Forest Therapy Guide and basket weaving teacher who believes nature offers each of us a path home.

Learn more about Monique.
Monique is the owner/found of Heartwood Nature Bathing
Connect with Monique at Heartwood_with_Mon

Sara Aiken is inspired by the wild and sacred rhythms of nature ... of soft ferns, lush mosses, and dappled sunlight. She guides forest bathing yoga flows and immersive sound meditation baths.

Connect with Sara at Essential Nature Connection

Learn more about our 4 day summer retreat (and this insiprations for this day) at: https://www.heldoutside.com.au/nature-connection-retreat

"It was a gift to myself."

"It was a gift to myself. … A gift of time and space and opportunity to unwind, clear out the noise of busy life/traffic/wifi … etc, so that the only buzz you hear is organic sounds - bees, crickets,"

Participant, Summer Retreat
"The facilitators were brilliant"

"The facilitators were brilliant - gentle, subtle and effective. The invitations were welcoming and expansive."

Participant, Summer Retreat
"find our own depth and adventure"

"The facilitation allowed each of us to find our own depth and adventure and then share it in an environment of welcome and acceptance."

Participant, Summer Retreat

FAQs

How fit do I need to be?
A low level of fitness and some mobility is required to fully participate.
- Nature based yoga is suitable for beginners and every body.
- Forest bathing is a gentle, slow experience rather than a paced bushwalk.
- There is a full flight of stairs into the hall and the ground may be uneven.
What do I need to bring?
All participants are invited to bring a simple vegetarian and low gluten offering for lunch or morning tea.
You might like to bring your own:
- Water bottle
- Yoga mat
- Shawl/blanket for outdoor rests and maybe a cushion
- Journal & writing/drawing equipment
These can also be provided if you make a note in the booking form.
What should I wear?
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a less humanised area.
There may be spiders, snakes, ticks and leeches.
It will also be colder than you think, and we'll be outside a lot.
You'll want to wear or bring:
- Warm, comfortable clothes for being outside
- Sturdy enclosed shoes
- Your choice of sun & insect repelling clothes, lotions or sprays
- Rain gear - jacket or umbrella
Is there phone signal?

You can stay offline the whole time if you want to!
Otherwise, please be aware that there may be limited phone signal

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

Host information

Held Outside

173 followers

Contact host

View profile

Held Outside nature connection experiences

How does being outside feel?

Calmer, refreshed, inspired, more perspective, wishing you could stay longer?

Jay from Held Outside nature connection experiences helps folks make the most of their time outside, truly connecting with nature.

This boosts your physical and mental wellbeing and can support you to deepen your relationship with nature.

These evidence-informed experiences include nature and forest therapy (also known as forest bathing and Shinrin Yoku), simple nature journaling, wild tending, events and rituals. A stronger relationship with nature supports personal wellbeing, pro-social and pro-environmental behaviours and gives back to the land.

Held Outside is based on Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi land (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia) and offers programs to adults, families and children.

I am an ANFT certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide who offers nature connection practices that are structured, relational and Earth-centered. Nature and forest therapy is an intentional practice that helps relax the body and connects humans with nature, reminding us that we are nature and can develop our senses and skills for being Earthlings.

In a guided nature therapy session, you will join a small group of people and be guided through an awakening of your senses that increases mindfulness and connection with the other-than-human world. Every session is different.

For more information about me and the practice, visit the Held Outside website or social media links.

Follow this page to get notifications when new events are listed.