What is Nature Therapy?
Nature therapy is the practice of coming into presence by igniting your senses through the natural world. There are 4 pillars of Nature therapy. Which are:
Earth Ancestry Skills
Animal Connection
Nature Immersion
Somatic Practice
Let’s dive deeper into each of these!
Earth Ancestry Skills is simple in concept, it’s making anything you need from natural materials. These are skills like building a fire, making food from scratch, basket weaving, making bowls from clay, building a shelter, and so much more!
Animal Connection involves taking care of animals. Whether that be your pets you have at home, or wild animals you may encounter. It also includes getting to know animals and forming a relationship with them.
Nature Immersion includes spending quality time in nature. Doing things like gardening, sit spot, barefoot walking, taking care of plants, and pretty much anything you can do outside.
Somatic Practice is the movement of our bodies. When we connect to our body we are connected to our natural self and we are nature too! We accomplish this by yin like slow movements such as Tai Chi, meditation, dance, walking, and many other practices.
There are some things that cover more than one pillar! For instance, a Forest Therapy Walk would be both Nature Immersion and Somatic Practice. Homesteading would include Earth Ancestry Skills and Animal Connection. We are capable of accomplishing all 4 every day. Nature Therapy is a practice but can easily become a lifestyle if you dedicate yourself to it, which isn’t hard or too time consuming! But why would someone do this? Nature Therapy has many benefits like regulating your nervous system, improving your immune system, reducing anxiety and depression, plus so much more. Practicing Nature Therapy is simple and can be done on your own, but for those who would like guidance, you’ve found the right place! You can take a look at my upcoming classes here.
May you have sunshine over your head and earth beneath your feet, always.
