OFFSITE: County Farm Park, Medford Parking Lot.
The Country Farm parking lot and pedestrian entrance on Medford Road is located near 2201 Medford Road, Ann Arbor.
This secondary entrance is situated just south of Manchester Road and provides direct, convenient access to the Medford Pavillion and Britton Woods
This tour is limited to 15 attendees. A waitlist will be available.
Please let the Elderwise office know if, after registering, you are unable to attend this class.
This gives students on the waitlist an opportunity to join. It also helps the onsite class assistant have an accurate roster.
The therapeutic benefits of immersing oneself in nature are too numerous to name, but relaxation, connection, and refueling are three of the most powerful. The art of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the art of steeping yourself in the atmosphere of the forest, focusing on each of the five senses one at a time. Join naturalist Elle Bogle and mindfulness instructor Julie Woodward for a mindfulness hike through County Farm Park. This will be a slow, quiet walk focusing on communing with nature, and will include pauses for group reflection. Along the way, we will gather beautiful, found objects and experiences which we will then use to create a nature craft. This hike will last approximately 90 minutes, with 30 minutes at the end for creating our nature project. Elle Bogle is a passionate outdoor educator and adventurer who takes pride in connecting people with the beauty of nature. She worked as a naturalist with WCPARC for seven years, and is currently an environmental specialist with the Ann Arbor Public Schools where she has been teaching for nine years, an educator with the Ecology Center, and offers freelance naturalist services through her Wild Wander business. Her specialties include amphibians, reptiles, dragonflies, and mindfulness in nature. Julie Woodward, MA, MSW, RYT-200, is a wellness coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and facilitator of The Work That Reconnects. Through mindfulness hikes and resilience-based programs, she helps people cultivate well-being and deepen their connection with nature. Additional important information will be emailed to class registrants a few days before the hike. IMPORTANT NOTE: This tour is not recommended for people with canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and those who have mobility limitations.
