Taster Event: Nature-based Personal Development
Using the natural environment for personal growth and healing
at
Chorlton's Big Green Festival
31 March 2012, 3pm-5pm

All the activities will involve interacting with, or relating to nature in some way. Activities may include sensory and awareness exercises, guided meditation, solo reflection time, and group discussion. These will be used as tools for raising your level of self awareness by drawing your attention to how you relate to yourself, others and the natural environment.

If you would like to attend the taster session, please bear in mind that we
will be going off the main paths on the meadows, so sensible footwear and outdoor clothing are recommended.

"Many people feel relaxed and good when they are out in nature. But not many of us know that there is also scientific evidence about the healing effects of nature."

says Dr. Eeva Karjalainen, of the Finnish Forest Research Institute, Metla

Just some of the benefits others have gained by attending nature-based personal development...

• Reduced anxiety and stress
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Lifted mood and reduced depression
• Gained a new perspective on problems, so that it became easy to find solutions
• Enhanced motivation
• Connected to a sense of wonder
• Built a deeper sense of trust both in themselves and others
• Dealt with anger
• Promoted working as a team, building relationship skills
• Promoted respect for oneself, others and nature
• Improved communication skills
• Improved psychological and spiritual health and well-being
• Learned to be more in the here and now
• Developed greater responsibility for their own actions
• Put their life in perspective
• Developed independence and creativity
• Improved problem solving and life skills
• Learned that you can achieve things you never thought possible

What benefits could you imagine yourself gaining?

Time to reconnect, relax and reflect

Our work together

Nature-based personal development is focused primarily on experiential learning. Why? In our western society our thinking style has become unbalanced and biased towards a more cognitive thinking style, but a more somatic intelligence exists within each of us. Anyone who has ever had a creative moment, or 'gut feeling' or just knew something was right because they felt it 'in their heart' will be aware of it. This conflict between cognitive and somatic thinking creates and maintains many of our day to day problematic thinking patterns. During the workshop you will be expanding your awareness and learning to think with both your heart and your head. You will learn through immersing yourself in the nurturing natural environment and activities, as well as by personal reflection and sharing your insights and experiences during the activities.

• challenge your perceived limitations and unhelpful thought patterns, and develop greater awareness of your own strengths, through the use of the natural environment and challenging nature-based activities.
• develop a deeper understanding of how you relate to others, yourself, and your life by reflecting on any symbolic or metaphorical relationships between the nature based activities and your own life
• process your new understandings and learnings by sharing thoughts and reflections in a relaxed, safe, constructive, supportive, non-judgemental and respectful environment
• integrate your new learnings and positive resources so they become available in your everyday life

"Sometimes a tree can tell you more than can be read in a book."
C.G. Jung

Would nature-based personal development be suitable for me?

If you ...

• enjoy camping / walking / biking / climbing / other outdoor activities
• are interested in bushcraft, survival skills or wild camping
• have an interest in nature / plants / wildlife
• Love the outdoors
• want to learn to feel more relaxed, balanced and centred
• have perhaps heard of the benefits of ecotherapy & wilderness therapy
• feel your life is stuck or lacks direction
• want to develop a connection with the spirit of nature (in a non religious sense)
• already feel a deep connection with the spirit of nature
• have a nature-based spirituality and/or interest in shamanism
• are someone who wouldn't normally feel comfortable sitting in a counsellors room
• are someone who prefers to learn by doing and being
• want to try something different
• would like to develop your natural intuition / listen to your heart / gut instinct
• perhaps wish to develop more awareness of your thoughts and behaviours
• need to develop trust and belief in yourself or others
• would like to learn to change how you relate to nature, yourself and others
• are looking for a natural retreat with a difference

How do I book a place or find out more?

1. Call Nigel on 0161 881 4333 or .

Rekindled creativity

Just a few of the games and exercises that could take place ...

• Meet a Tree
• Team Challenge
• Drum Stalk
• Fire Stalk
• Sit-Spot
• Find a Tree Like Me
• Trancework
• Walking Meditation
• Bow Drill Fire Making
• Peripheral Vision/Tunnel Vision
• Grounding Exercises
• Fox Walk
• Herb Meditation
• Rope Walk
• Ask a Tree
• Solo Reflection Time
• Journalling
• Group Discussion & Feedback
• Be a Tree
• Shamanic Journeying
• Tracking Intentions
• Musical Challenge

• Inner Changes operates a strict no alcohol or drugs policy during events.
• This event is for over 18's only. Please do not bring children. There is a need for you to be reflective and focused, and some children may cause disruption for yourself and other attendees, especially during some of the more meditative activities.
• This taster event is for general personal development purposes only. It is not suitable for those diagnosed with moderate to severe mental-illness.
• Back to basics, back to nature. You will be outdoors in nature, therefore for obvious reasons, facilities are very limited. The terrain is uneven and has many natural obstacles and hazards which may make it unsuitable for those who have mobility or fitness issues.
• Some activities that we may do during the taster event involve the use of a blindfold. If you feel uncomfortable with this then you may want to skip them. During the blindfolded activities you will have a personal sight-guide close by for your safety. You can also remove the blindfold at anytime and end the activity but will lose out on any benefits you might have gained through participation.
• Confidentiality and ethical behaviour are extremely important if group members are to open up and share experiences. You should not repeat outside of the group anything specific of a personal nature, regarding anything another participant may have said or done without that participants permission.
• Do not bring dogs or any other pets as they can be disruptive especially during some of the more meditative activities.

Nigel Magowan
Integrative Psychotherapist,
NLP Master Practitioner, Coach, Advanced Hypnotherapist, Ecotherapist and Accredited Supervisor