Autumnal forest retreat

You are invited to a restorative retreat in a private woodland in the Surrey Hills. 

This autumnal immersion in the forest is designed to calm, restore and delight with a cacoa ceremony, forest bathing and a sound bath. 

We’ll begin by gathering in circle to share a warm cup of ritual-grade cacao, guided by Ruth from ReNurture. Cacao has a long history of being shared in community and ritual, and this opening practice will offer time to arrive, slow down and turn our attention inward before stepping into the woodland.

Through mindful drinking, gentle reflection and moments of stillness, Ruth will invite us to connect with ourselves, with the group and with what may be present within us as we enter this autumnal experience.

From the warmth of the circle, we’ll then move into the woodland with Francesca, allowing the forest, the season and our senses to rest our minds, restore our bodies and soothe our souls. This slow, gentle, mindful guided walk through the autumnal woodland helps us to appreciate the gradual change from greens to goldens and reds. 

Autumn is a wonderful season to forest bathe in - the ground is soft with fallen leaves, the colours are a feast for the eyes and the toadstools are the stuff of make-believe. Francesca will guide you through mindful breathing techniques and nature meditations to engage our senses, taking us out of our busy heads allowing us  to connect more with our bodies and the natural world. 

After forest bathing we’ll return to rest and receive a deeply immersive sound journey with Ruth. Using instruments including gongs, singing bowls, chimes, drum and voice, Ruth will create a landscape of sound and vibration in which there is nothing that needs to be achieved or worked out, simply an invitation to lie down, listen and receive.

After beginning with cacao and spending time slowly and mindfully immersed in the woodland, the sound journey offers a beautiful way to bring the experience towards a close: allowing space for stillness, integration and rest.

Sound and mindful listening can support a shift away from the busyness and stimulation of everyday life, creating conditions in which the body and mind may begin to settle. Each person experiences sound differently, so rather than there being a particular way anyone should feel, Ruth encourages curiosity, choice and listening to what your own body needs.

This session will be held at the woodland at Birtley House in Bramley, a charming private forest with water to gaze into, wildlife to listen to and colours a feast for your eyes. 

Our main objective is to provide you with a deeply relaxing experience and to give you some ideas to take away to recreate these experiences in your own time. 

The cost is £55 for a three and a half hour session, plus a small booking fee.

Francesca is one of the co-founders of Roots for the Future. She a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher and forest bathing guide, having trained with the forest bathing insititute, fully insured and DBS checked. She is also a mental health first aider. Her mission is to connect people to their local green spaces so that they are inspired to protect and restore them. You can read more about Forest bathing's benefits, proven by scientific research, in Roots for the Future's blog post here.

A recent testimonial from an attendee:

"Wow! What a wonderful experience Forest Bathing with Roots for the Future was! We were guided beautifully through the woodland where we were encouraged to quietly take notice and connect with nature whilst having plenty of opportunities to unwind and reset. A wonderful activity which was not only great in the moment but also a great reminder of the importance of connecting with nature as we navigate life's challenges."

Ruth is the founder of ReNurture and a sound practitioner, cacao guide, mindfulness guide and women’s circle facilitator. Her work centres around creating spaces for people to slow down, reconnect and experience deeper relationship with themselves, one another and the natural world. Through sound, cacao, mindfulness, breath, ritual and community, Ruth creates experiences rooted in presence, nourishment and connection. She facilitates intimate gatherings and private sessions as well as experiences for organisations, festivals and larger communities across London and beyond.

A recent testimonial from an attendee:

"The immersive sound journey with Ruth at ReNurture was a wonderful and relaxing experience. For the hour I was there, I felt like I was in a calm meditative state. The sound vibrations of all the instruments are so soothing. I can't wait for my next session!"