… creating space for the development of an ecological being’ness

A nature practice involves making space in our lives for an intentional and relational engagement with and amongst nature. It can be a deeply nourishing practice that supports the development of an embodied nature-relatedness which can evolve how we feel, cultivate the way in which we think, and inspire our attachment to the web of life. As we acclimatise to being amongst the living world our capacity to attune grows: we notice more, become more mindful, and over time our relationship with the more-than-human is profoundly deepened. Attuning in this way fosters an embodied state of being, offers up wisdom, and invites a shift in our perspective of who we are (as humans) within the ecological web.

Into The Heartwood delivers a series of immersive, outdoor, seasonal sessions, supporting the development of a nature-relatedness through the facilitation of embodied mindfulness exercises, environmental expressive arts, and practices in participant’s local land between sessions. Working with the processes involved in Rites (such as thresholds between severance, liminal space and incorporation), sensing into the reciprocity of your relationship with the living earth, and allowing your own unique creative voice to express and respond is the bedrock of the nature practice offered here. Approaches that underpin this work include eco-psychology, eco-philosophy, environmental expressive arts, rites of passage and somatic mindfulness.

This process begins during winter (when applications open) and, entering into the growthful arc of spring, summer and autumn, offers an intentional and emergent ecological practice that holds at its centre the query, who am I in nature? By getting curious about this focus - amongst others - through process focused exercises, ritual and ecological arts (such as environmental arts, movement, sound, the written word), we open ourselves to a rich experience that can also support a personal and professional development. Working together, amongst the more-than-human-world, leads to an expansion of relationship and awareness that is inclusive and supports an ecological and embodied intelligence. Working creatively offers an opportunity to process through this ecological mindset, garnering greater understanding, expression and communication. Entering into a reciprocal relationship with the living world we offer back our gratitude, understanding and creativity.

Through engaging in Into The Heartwood process, we can cultivate..

·         a somatic mindfulness

·         a vital aliveness

·         an embodied state

·         our animate selves

·         a deepened sensory awareness

·         an engagement with creative expression that is free of value-judgement

·         an intentional engagement with the more than human world

·         an altered pace

·         a reciprocal relationship with the natural world

·         working in alignment with the seasonal turning of the earth

·         our appreciation, respect and care for other species and living organisms

·         a deep love

·         a sense of a shared self

 
OPEN NOW FOR APPLICATIONS

Registration closes 1st February 2025

Into The Heartwood is for human relations practitioners who take their work outdoors, or are wanting to develop an ecological practice to support their work.

Sessions are offered individually or in a group and run as a series of nine sessions, attended on a monthly basis from March through to November, held in ancient woodland in Ambervalley, Derbyshire, UK.

Application process

The application process will involve a free informal chat via zoom for up to half an hour and a short questionnaire to consider whether ITH is the right fit for you. Once registered, we begin with giving time during the winter months to allow intentions for the year to gently emerge. Upon the start of spring, you will receive a welcome email with information and an accompanying pre-recorded audio exercise that will support you to begin your nature relatedness practice.

Between sessions, there is an invitation to engage in a personal nature practice on a regular basis with your own local landscape. There will be prompts and exercises to support this.

Fees

Group dates

(Fridays 10am - 4pm)

7th March        

4th April          

9th May            

13th June        

11th July           

8th August      

11th Sept          

3rd Oct             

7th Nov

Please get in touch to find out more and to arrange an informal chat if you are interested to apply.

It is urgently understood that our species’ separation from nature is having very serious consequences on many levels. Restoring our relational position within the living earth feels like an appropriate response to our world in these times, providing the opportunity to develop a healthier affiliation with the natural world, as well as our own beings.