Nature Immersion  Walk with Elena Rios

Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve

Nervous System Reset! Join Elena Rios for a slow, relaxing, restorative guided Nature Immersion. All you have to do is come and be yourself!

Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve - Appointment Only, Mira Monte, CA, USA

<h3> Nature &amp; Forest Therapy Honoring Ancestral Knowledge</h3><h3> </h3><h4> With Elena Rios-Certified Nature &amp; Forest Therapy Guide, Cultural Practitioner,</h4><h4> Interdisciplinary Artist</h4> <h3> Guided Nature Immersion Gathering and Greeting circle with Copaltemaliztl</h3><h3> </h3>Slow down, relax, and experience the physical and psycho-spiritual benefits:<ul><li>Lower stress hormone production</li><li>Elevate mood states</li><li>Lower blood pressure</li><li> Influence immune defense</li><li>Feel more connected</li></ul>The importance of our relationship to land and place, within the context of our overallpersonal and community health, is rooted in ancestral Indigenous Knowledge all overthe world. It takes shape in many ways, often following the rhythm of the seasons. It isanother way of knowing the trees, plants, yourself, and the world around you. Anintegrative mindfulness practice that can help us to let all of the miscellaneous fall away.It is more about being “here” in the present moment, then it is about being “there”. Akind of nervous system “reset” that has the potential to remind us of the Interconnectionof All Things and our relationship to the Earth. You will be given directions in the form ofan invitation. All you have to do is come and be yourself! <blockquote>“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” – Chief Seattle,1854</blockquote>This Nature Immersion Event and Copaltemaliztl will take place within the almost 200 acres of California open space, past the cultivated gardens and grounds. We will walk up from the parking lot to our starting point. This will be a slow walk with a moderate incline on rocky uneven terrain. The entire walk is less than two miles. There will not be any benches or chairs. Some people like to bring a “sit upon”, yoga mat, or “light weight camping stool” that is easy to carry for those times that you will be invited to stop and “observe with all of your senses.” And some people just sit directly down upon the Earth. It is up to you. This area is protected by a Conservation Easement with the Wildlife Land Trust. This easement provides connectivity and safe passage for wildlife who live among the surrounding protected lands and prohibits agricultural uses that would add pollution to the watershed. Slow down, relax, and connect with nature while connecting with interesting like-minded people. Please refer to the “walk checklist”. <blockquote>“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein</blockquote>Integrative holistic wellness practice. The Eco-antidote for tech boom burnout, Corporate Wellbeing, Specialized Teams, Students, Nature Enthusiasts, Celebrations, Recovery Groups, Artists &amp; Activists. For those who spend a lot of time in nature, to those who may have spent very little time in nature, there is something in it for everyone.FIRST RESPONDERS AND RISK MANAGEMENT: Offers the opportunity to intentionally drop into your para-sympathetic nervous system. This helps to allow your own body to engage its own restorative processes to do the healing work it needs for better mental focus, and improved overall health between operational assignments to assist you in bringing the highest version of yourself to the team and your family while on or off assignments. Can be explored as a Team Building or Situational Awareness exercise. elenadosrios@gmail.com <h2>Elena Rios</h2>GUIDE:Elena Rios is an ever-evolving ANFT Certified Nature &amp; Forest Therapy Guide, Inter- disciplinary Artist, and Cultural Practitioner. She draws inspiration from the stories of her late grandmother, a “curandera” and a “huesera”, who applied her plant medicine knowledge by offering holistic healing services. Her journey toward deepening relationship with the healing power of trees, herbs and flowers has continued throughout her life within the context of their use in traditional indigenous ceremony, dance, and song, including Danza Azteca Mexica. She continues to participate with traditional inter-tribal circles of learning, and ways of being, that are rooted in Indigenous Knowledge.As a young adult, Elena worked on such specialized wildland fire crews as southern California USFS Interagency Hotshots. There, she experienced the kind of camaraderie found among operators who work on highly trained teams. As an employee of the Chumash Fire Department (Santa Ynez Band), she has received training as a Cultural Specialist, which has enhanced her perspective in relationship to land and place. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute.Elena was born on the ancestral lands of the Tongva and Acjachemen peoples, in Fullerton, CA. She spent many of her formative years on Tübatulabul/Yokut territory in the foothills of Sequoia NF. She is a descendant of Indigenous Azteca Chichimeca/Chumash/Spanish Gypsy/Scot-Irish multi-ethnic ancestors. Currently she makes her home on Chumash territory in Awha’y’ (Ojai) CAelenadosrios@gmail.com<h2> </h2>NATURE IMMERSION EVENT CHECKLIST:“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful. “ – Alice WalkerPlease -<ul><li>Plan to arrive on time, otherwise you may find we have already left</li><li>Avoid strong perfumes, as they can affect sensory perception of smells in nature</li><li>Leave your dog at home</li></ul>What to bring:<ul><li>Water</li><li>Important medications (bring EpiPen if you are allergic to wasp, hornet, or bee stings)</li><li>Comfortable closed toe walking shoes. (Boots that cover up the ankle are recommended during rattlesnake season in early spring and summer.)</li><li>Comfortable layered clothing so you may adjust to weather and/or temperature as needed.</li><li>A day pack, back pack, fanny pack, OR “easy to carry” bag in which to keep your things.</li></ul>Optional considerations:<ul><li>You will be invited to sit on the ground at times. There may (or may not) be chairs or benches. It may (or may not) be damp in certain places. Some people like to bring something to sit on like a “lightweight folding camping stool”, a “sit-upon”, a yoga mat, or a towel that is easy to carry. Some people don’t bring anything at all. It is up to you.</li></ul><ul><li>Insect repellent (seasons change, and opinions vary.)</li><li>A walking stick if you find it helpful. Terrain may vary and be rocky or uneven.</li><li>Sun hat</li><li>A journal for writing or sketching</li><li>sunscreen</li></ul>THANK YOU

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Nature Immersion Walk with Elena Rios

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