Jean M. Beebe, M. Ed. | TreePose Explorations

Not at all. The Experience does involve walking, but it is not a vigorous hike or fast-paced movement. If you can walk around your block or with your dogs, you will be comfortable. The purpose is not athleticsm but mindfulness.

Mindfulness is about being present and aware in the given moment. You needn't have any previous meditation or mindfulness practice experience; you will receive guidance and suggestions to illuminate this path for you. During the Mindful Outdoor Experience, you will be guided through the process of accessing your sense perceptions-sight, hearing, listening, touch & taste- which will be the gateways to enhanced presence. You already use your sense pereptions. In an MOE, you will receive suggestions as to how you can enhance them to experience the natural world more directly.

This is a different sort of experience than one involving nature photography.

You are strongly encouraged to put your devices on their most reverent settings & pocket them or leave them behind as we walk the land!

A mindful outdoor experience is a time to let go of "capturing" or documenting your activities. Allow yourself to relax into just being and engaging directly with the more-than-human world using your senses.

I'll keep track of time, so you don't have to. And, I'll have a phone as well as a radio for safety. There will be time for a group photo or others when we conclude for those who are interested.

Mindfulness is about being present and aware in the given moment. You needn't have any previous meditation or mindfulness practice experience; you will receive guidance and suggestions to illuminate this path for you. During the Mindful Outdoor Experience, you will be guided through the process of accessing your sense perceptions-sight, hearing, listening, touch & taste- which will be the gateways to enhanced presence. You already use your sense pereptions. In an MOE, you will receive suggestions as to how you can enhance them to experience the natural world more directly.

Bring

• a small daypack or bag that will allow you to walk easily and carry any layers you bring or shed
• water-a liter or 2 is probably fine. On very cold days, fill your bottles with hot or warm water to keep them from freezing- or bring a thermos of your favorite hot beverage.
• snacks
• sunglasses
• sunscreen
• bug repellent
• Bring your hiking poles or sticks if you are used to walking with them. We can show you how to stash them out of the way on your pack if need be.
• something to sit on the ground with. This can be as simple as a garbage bag, a seat made expressly for this purpose or anything in between.

Layer your clothing according to the weather. You can always take layers of clothing off, but if you don't have them, you can't put them on when you need them. Also, you can be burned by our sister sun even when it is overcast, so dress and apply suncreen accordingly.

A basic clothing list for winter/cold weather:

[You want to remain warm and dry, inside & out. If available, synthetic materials like polyester or natural materials like wool or down are preferable over cotton.]

• footwear suitable for walking off the pavement-boots or warm walking shoes. Either one should have a tread that will work on trail conditions that might include uneven surfaces, roots, snowy patches, or perhaps icy bits. Whatever shoes you choose should be broken-in😎. MOEs are typically under 2 miles.
• warm socks
• layer next to the skin ("underwear" -a sports bra, synthetic or silk camisole or tank is a good option for your top.)
• additional synthetic, wool, or silk underwear layers- "long johns" - bottoms as needed for under your outer pants. Definitely consider for when temperatures are below freezing, and for some of us, also when above.
• techwick/athletic T
• long-sleeved shirt for over (or under) the t-shirt
• other layers for your core like a warm shirt, fleece, hoodie, down or synthetic vest, wool sweater, or combinations thereof to put on over your under-layers
• pants suitable for the temperature. "Sweatpants" or gym pants may not be warm enough unless they are insulated for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or other cold-weather outdoor activities.
• beanie or another warm hat for over your ears
• a scarf or neck gaiter
• sunglasses
• jacket suitable for the season: down or insulated with a hood is ideal. Wool also works.
• gloves, again preferably ones for outdoor wear that work if it gets damp or we have precipitation
• rain jacket/poncho for an outer layer in unexpected wet weather