Nature-Wellness Days

Nature-Wellness Days are opportunities for Red Oaks members to explore the connections between your health and your environment. This program series will introduce you to different forms of health and wellness practices (such as shinrin yoku, yoga, tai chi, art and forest therapies, sound healing, meditation, etc.) mixed with guided activities and immersive encounters with the natural world. This series of four events will take place outdoors, at multiple locations and timed to coincide with four auspicious dates in our solar year (the winter solstice, spring equinox, summer solstice and fall equinox). As a reflection of our values for community and well-being, we are offering this event series for free to Red Oaks members. We want to share the methods, ideas and experiences that nourish a healthy and nature-connected community. We also invite anyone to join in! If you are not a member yet, it is a great time to sign up. While no fee is required, donations are greatly appreciated from non-members to help support the practitioners.

Space will be limited for some events to preserve their restorative nature, but there will be several opportunities to participate with weekend-long offerings.

Red Oaks aims to provide support to anyone in need to reduce barriers to nature-based programming and the healing benefits of time spent in nature. Please do not hesitate to participate in any of our programming due to financial constraints.

dates and locations

January 27 - Winter Solstice Celebration* -Richmond
February 24 - Meditation in Nature* - Winchester
March 23 - Spring Equinox Celebration - Stanton
April 27 - Yoga in Nature* - Richmond
May 25 - Holiday, no offering
June 22 - Summer Solstice Celebration - Location TBD
July 27 - Yoga in Nature - Richmond
August 24 - Meditation in Nature* - Richmond
September 28 - Fall Equinox Celebration - Richmond
October 26 - Yoga in Nature* - Richmond
November and December - Holiday time, no offerings.

*Adult-only offerings

Stay tuned for our monthly Community Connections News for updates on times and schedules. Sign up here for CC News right to your inbox. Nature and Wellness programs are free to members. Donations are appreciated.

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing is the Japanese-coined term for immersing oneself in the atmosphere of the trees. Simply put, this practice blends mindfulness and nature immersion with things like sit spots, intentional slow walks, and short meditations. This is a great opportunity to give back to yourself and find some balance and peace in our chaotic world. Mindfulness is also a great way to decompress or reduce stress, which is so timely in today’s world.

Join one of our teachers as they lead you through a mindfulness session that engages all your senses during this practice. This class is for adults only. It's a great way to connect with Red Oaks and add a bit of stillness to your life.

winter/spring dates and times

By appointment only at this time. Please inquire for options and private sessions.

cost

$30/members
$40/non-members

What people are saying…

“My favorite program at Red Oaks! A chance to be present in nature is so healing and I look forward to every session. I love to be able to enjoy this space without my children too. It takes on a totally different feel.”

“I have loved the concept of forest bathing since I first learned about it, and I would always know that’s what I was doing when I’d go hiking or kayaking. But from your wonderful forest bathing session, I learned how to enjoy nature by just pausing and being still. Sitting by the creek at Red Oaks, seeing the fall colors against the blue sky and listening to the creek and feeling the warm sun and smelling the freshness of nature, were the best 20 minutes I’ve had in years. It is an experience I will treasure always, and I will look forward to repeating the sit spot experience again and again and again”

“Self care. Reflection. Meditation. Nature immersion. Grounding. Energetically threading your soul to every living thing. This was by far one of the most incredible experiences.”

“It was such a peaceful and perspective-shifting experience.”

“Bathing in nature’s tranquility was such an enriching and calming experience. Thank you Russ and Red Oaks.”

Members get priority registration, among other benefits. If you aren’t a member yet, sign up today! Join us here.