Friends Of USFWS: Mindful Mondays Wellness Series
Where: All classes will be held at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown
When: Mondays in August and September (see dates below).
Who: These classes are for adults; however youth, ages 12 and up, are welcome.
Cost: All classes are FREE; however, pre-registration is required by calling (401) 364-9124.
Time: Each class starts at 1:30 p.m. and is 60-90 minutes long.
Prepare: Be prepared to be outside unless it is raining. Wear sunscreen, hat, bug spray, and bring water.
Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of RI presents Mindful Mondays Wellness Series
Have you noticed how good you feel when you go for a walk outside in the woods? It has been proven that experiences in nature release your body’s ‘feel good’ chemicals and improve your overall health and wellness.
Join Wendy Rappaport, USFWS volunteer, expressive artist, and naturalist for one or more of these experiences that bring nature into your life to promote well being in mind, body and spirit.
AUGUST 22 : ART IN THE GARDEN
Create a Nature journal page where you can jot down observations of the wild Rhode Island plants growing right in Kettle Pond’s backyard. We’ll begin with a silent walk through the garden to open up our senses and help us to observe. Then we’ll set up and create a journal page to use as an example for future nature observations. This class will focus on leaf shapes. All materials will be provided.
AUGUST 29: YOGA & NATURE
Have you ever wondered why so many names of Yoga poses are from nature? Have you ever done Tree Pose with a tree? Spend some time outdoors breathing, doing easy yoga poses and relaxing under the canopies of the trees. Bring a large, old towel and/or a yoga mat. Everyone is welcome to this class.
SEPTEMBER 5 (Labor Day): FOREST WALK
A walk in the forest is a beautiful thing! Relax your breath, connect to your senses and FEEL the calmness and serenity of the woods. Learn how to take this experience with you into your everyday life.
SEPTEMBER 12: MEDITATION & JOURNALING OUTDOORS
Just going for a walk in nature is meditation, however, let’s slow down first with some discussion and breathing exercises, then a silent walk on the Ocean Trail, followed by some quiet time to sit and write your reflections. Bring your journal in a lightweight backpack, or materials will be provided.
SEPTEMBER 19: OUTDOOR MANDALA ART
How often have you looked on the forest floor and admired what you saw? Perhaps an abundance of acorns, some soft pine needles or colorful rocks? Let’s collect some of the items you find and create art with them right on the forest floor. Then leave them for all to see. Examples of outdoor art and mandalas will be shown. Bring your smart phone to photograph your results!
SEPTEMBER 26: WRITING IN NATURE
It is easy to understand why nature is one of the most written about subjects. Poets especially express their feelings about experiences they have outdoors observing the beauty of the natural world. Let’s focus on observing the outdoors by going on a silent walk on the beautiful Ocean Trail followed by a guided activity that encourages you to express your experience with the written word. Bring your writing journal if you have one, otherwise materials will be provided.
Contact Wendy directly for any questions at gwamp48@gmail.com, or call (860) 881-3222.
Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island is an volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing conservation, education and outreach activities on the five National Wildlife Refuges in our state. They encourage everyone to join their membership and become a Friend to Rhode Island Wildlife. Donations are encouraged; all donations to the Friends are tax-deductible.
Banner image is a kettle pond edge at Kettle Pond Visitor Center. Photo by Dan Slattery.