Autumn Equinox Forest Bathing Experience

Alban Elfed, "the light of the water", the equinox marks the beginning of lengthening nights as we reflect upon the year so far and take stock of our personal harvests.

Join me on this forest bathing walk focused on the theme of the autumn equinox.

Forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) is a scientifically proven method of helping reduce tension, ease symptoms of common mental health difficulties, and help people feel more connected with nature in a relaxed, mindful, and imaginative way.

The walk will begin outside of Rockfish on Exeter Quay at 13:00 (please arrive 10 minutes before to allow a relaxed start) with an introduction from myself and then we will walk quietly to the start location approximately 10 minutes away quietly observing what is around us and turning into our senses. Once at the location you will be guided for the next 2-3 hours through various forest bathing activities. These activities will be themed around the woodland, the equinox, its associations, traditions and folklore.

We will end back where we started. The whole experience should finish by 16:00 at the latest.

Adults (18+) only and no pets.

"Land, roots, and story" Awen Outdoors is a holistic project based in Exeter, Devon, UK, which incorporates bushcraft, forest bathing, story telling, foraging, walks, talks, spirituality, creativity, play, and folklore. It is a project based on the values of authenticity, growth and development, personal freedom, non-judgemental understanding, humility, kindness, wildness, community, and gratitude. The aim of Awen Outdoors is to help people express themselves honestly and without judgement, and to help them connect with nature, spirit and/or God, connect with themselves, their present and past, history, and others in a time when formal mental health services and society at large seem determined to divide, cause fear, insecurity, and poor wellbeing.

Contact [email protected] to request a refund and to provide emergency contact details and any details of allergies.

https://www.youtube.com/@AwenOutdoors

Terms and conditions

The “fine print”

The terms “walk” and “event” are used interchangeably and refer to the same thing: an event led by the walk leader with up to 10 participants.

The term “session” refers to 1 to 1 sessions.

The terms “leader” or “walk leader” or “event leader” or “session leader” are used interchangeably and refer to the same person who is the one leading events and 1 to 1 sessions.

The terms “participant”, “walk participant”, and “event participant” are used interchangeably and refer to the same person who is a participant in group events or in 1 to 1 sessions.

-Risk, hazards and safety

The walk leader is outdoor first trained, will carry a basic first aid kit, has completed a thorough risk assessment of the walk area, and is insured.

However, by participating in walks you do so at your own risk acknowledging that you will be in nature and contains hazards including but not limited to slips, falls, trips, weather extremes, bites, stings, cuts, bruises, burns, dehydration, sunburn, allergic reactions.

We will be in public places, so encounters with other members of the public, animals including dogs both on and off the lead, birds, cats, insects, snakes, are all a possibility. Those with phobias and allergies should be mindful of this before considering signing up to the event.

Participants with allergies to anything potentially encountered during the walk, and health conditions including but not limited to asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, will be required to inform the walk leader prior to the walk starting and to bring along any necessary rescue Medic*tion and inform the walk leader how to use it if they would be the one to administer it. If a participant has a health condition and has not informed the walk leader or has informed the walk leader but has not brought rescue Medic*tion with them, then the walk leader reserves the right to refuse the participant on the walk. In these circumstances the participant will not be refunded seeing as it was their responsibility to have read these terms and informed the walk leader of their condition and brought rescue Medic*tion.

All participants will be required to provide emergency contact details before the walk. The walk leader reserves the right to decline to have the participant on the walk should the participant decline to provide emergency contact details. In these circumstances the participant will not be refunded seeing as it was their responsibility to have read these terms and know that they would be required to provide emergency details.

-Refunds and cancellations

Participants are required to give 72 hours’ notice of any and all cancellations. Should they cancel before 72 hours they will receive a full refund. Cancellations after 72 hours made by the participant will not be refunded other than in exceptional circumstances including but not limited to sudden onset of illness unknown prior to the 72 hours, family emergency.

The event may be cancelled due to poor or extreme weather conditions by the walk leader. The event may be cancelled due to the walk leader suddenly being unwell or having an unexpected emergency requiring their full attention. In these circumstances the walk leader will inform all participants ASAP and provide a full refund.

-Group sessions

Group sessions will be for adults over 18 years of age and will consist of up to 10 participants.

Participants will not be allowed to bring pets or children.

Group sessions will be on various terrain and settings such as tarmac, grass, mud, fields, meadows, and woodland. The event will consist of walking, sitting, bending down to look at various things, potentially being led blindfold around a small area of woodland for up to 10 minutes, so anyone signing up to the event agrees that they are in full awareness of this and they have the confidence and levels of fitness to undertake the event.

-GDPR Data protection

To provide a safe and personalised experience, minimal personal information such as your name, email, and emergency contact details will be collected.

Your data will never be shared with third parties.

Emergency contact details will be securely destroyed within 7 days after the group event or 7 days after 1 to 1 sessions come to an end.

You can request to have your contact details removed at any time.

Information will be stored securely using encrypted storage or password-protected systems