As a contribution to community well-being, Boxerwood is offering a free series of “Restorative Walks” this fall. “Everyone can benefit from time in nature,” noted Boxerwood executive director Emily Kohl, “but with this first series we really wanted to support first responders and others deeply invested in community life.” According to Kohl, each walk is customized for those in a specific field, with walks planned for healthcare providers, first responders, educators, parents and guardians.
Facilitated by two Boxerwood educators, the walks introduce participants to stress-reduction practices through sensory engagement in the natural world. “This has been a challenging couple of years for so many of us,” explained Catherine Epstein, one of the walk leaders, “and finding restorative calm in nature is not meant to be a finite experience, but a starting point. We want to share with others some ways to access calm and grounding in our everyday lives.”
Epstein co-developed the program with Boxerwood colleague, Brittany Klinger, who also holds an M.S. in counselling psychology. According to Klinger, “The hope for these walks is that they will provide an intuitive space for participants to gain a deeper understanding of their inner and outer worlds.”
Each walk will begin with a brief meditation and a breathing exercise. Later, as participants move silently through the garden, facilitators will invite them to experience the trees, flowers, plants, and wildlife through their own senses at their own pace. The walk will conclude with reflections from participants and practical ideas to bring stress relief and emotional regulation into daily lives. Describing the value of these exercises, Klinger explained, “these simple practices can truly be transformative.”
The walks will take place outdoors in Boxerwood’s woodland garden on weekday evenings, 5:30 – 7:00 pm in September and early October. There is no fee to participate, but advance registration is required, with maximum enrollment 15 people per walk. For more information, or to sign up, click HERE. Funding for this wellness event comes from the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation and the Carilion Clinic Community Grants (Roanoke).
