Connecting to Nature, Connection to Self: Half-day Nature Wellness Retreat

Are you yearning for time to decompress in nature, commit to self care, experience stress reduction, and reconnect with your body and yourself?

Join us for an opportunity to do all of these alongside other individuals in the Des Moines metro area's most beautiful state park.

Devote time to self care, healing & nature connection at this half day retreat at Walnut Woods State Park on Friday, June 14, 2024.

Facilitated by Brandy Case Haub of Intertwined Nature + Forest Therapy, and Kristine Lindell of Linden Tree Healing & Therapy, this 3.5 hour experience will integrate the following practices:

• Nature-based & body awareness guided meditation
• Forest therapy invitations to help us slow down, awaken our senses
• Guided sound invitation & engagement
• Reiki exercises
• Quiet, solo time in nature
• Group connection & reflection
• A forest-based tea ceremony with locally foraged tea & light snacks

Guided forest therapy is a stress-reductive and relational practice that is inspired the Japanese philsophy of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Shinrin-yoku is the belief that time spent in nature and among trees is beneficial to human physiological and mental health, and is backed by decades of research about the connection between human health and nature.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress-reduction and healing. It is based on the concept that all things are energy, encourages overall energy awareness, and working with the life energy of living things encourages healing and the possibility of intentionally connecting with everything and everyone around us.

Brandy and Kristine are excited to integrate two Japanese practices into this healing retreat to help support you in reconnecting to nature and yourself!

About Your Guides

Kristine Lindell, MS, LMHC (She/Her)

Kristine is a licensed mental health counselor and brings a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Drake University, a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Luther College. She is also a Master-level Holy Fire III attuned Reiki Practitioner.

She owns a private counseling practice called Linden Tree Healing & Therapy , where she partners with individuals of all ages to tackle mental health and family struggles.

Kristine has utilized Reiki energy healing on both a private and professional level for over a decade. She believes that people of all ages benefit from movement, nature, play, music, creation & expression. Embracing what brings joy helps us connect to self, and build safety within the healing process!

Brandy Case Haub, PhD, Certified Forest Therapy Guide (She/Her)

Brandy received her graduate degrees in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Iowa in 2011. She completed her Master Conservationist certification through Iowa State Extension in 2014, and her training and practicum as a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide in 2019 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Through her business, Intertwined Nature + Forest Therapy, she has been guiding individuals of all ages on nature therapy walks and experiences in Central Iowa for over 4 years.

The practice of forest therapy boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure and stress hormones, prevents and relieves stress and anxiety, and increases cognitive functioning. Brandy's passion is bringing nature into culture by supporting individuals in rediscovering the restorative and curative effects of time spent in the natural world.

• The intended age group for this event is 16+.
• Foam sit pads will be provided for the duration of the event for participants to use for sitting or lying down. Participants are welcome to bring blankets, yoga mats or camp chairs if they prefer.
• This healing retreat is intended to be accessible to indiviuals of all abilities. Please feel free to contact the organizers with accommodations requests, questions, or to notify us of dietary or other allergies.
• Vegan + Gluten-free snacks will be available!

**In the event of severe weather, we'll notify participants of a postponement and your ticket will automatically transfer to the alternate date. The alternate date for this event is the following Friday, June 21 at the same time and location. **