Universal walk flow
Uploaded by: Erika Karman
Objectives:
- Strengthen participants’ connection with nature by engaging their senses and attention through a guided nature immersion experience.
- Develop participants’ awareness of natural processes and ecosystems, encouraging reflection on how nature adapts, regenerates, and maintains balance.
- Support emotional wellbeing and stress reduction through grounding, slowing down, and mindful interaction with the natural environment.
- Encourage reflection on eco-competences and personal responsibility toward nature, inspiring participants to integrate nature-connected practices into their daily lives.
Preparation: It is recommended that the facilitator visit and explore the area in advance before taking a group there, in order to gain a better understanding of the conditions and whether they are suitable for the walk. For the closing stage, it is helpful to prepare sitting mats, mugs for tea, as well as some fruits and healthy snacks.
Tools needed: A singing ball or chime is usefull to call back participants.
Description
This exercise is a complete process of forest immersion and connection with nature. This guide walks you through the four stages of a nature walk. The duration can vary: you might spend up to three hours going through all four stages, but it can also be shorter. However, we recommend allocating at least 80 minutes.
This description is intended for experienced facilitators, as it focuses on the process and key steps rather than on specific activities. Many related learning activities that promote nature-based eco-competences can be explored and integrated within these stages.
1. INTRODUCTORY CONNECTION STAGE
“Slow down, arrive, awaken the senses.”
Purpose: Ease transition from busy daily life into a more relaxed and embodied sense of teh world, connected to the natural surroundings
Key Practices:
• Frame the walk: Clarify purpose, pacing, and permissions. Emphasize non-judgement, openness, and choice.
• Awaken the senses: Offer simple sensory invitations like, for example, listen to a sound, touch a tree, observe light patterns, what smells do you notice?
• Slow the pace: Encourage slower walking, deeper breaths, and slowing down of body and mind.
Tip: Use language that invites presence without pressure. Normalize different levels of participation.
2. MEANINGFUL CONNECTION STAGE
“Interact with the forest, find your own unique way to connect with it.”
Purpose: Deepen engagement with nature through multisensory and self-directed exploration.
Practice:
• Sensory exploration: Include touch, barefoot walking, or feeling sun/ wind/water or any other beings that feel alive on that day. Adapt the invitations to your group considering safety and comfort.
• Personal meaning: Support participants to find their own unique relationships by offering open-ended prompts like, for example, “Find a place that feels welcoming” or “What’s catching your attention?”
• Flexible formats: Allow solo, paired, or small group invitations in a way that supports autonomy and agency.
Tip: Be adaptive. Invite curiosity without controlling outcomes.
3. SOLO WALK STAGE
“Be with yourself, be with nature.”
Purpose: Allow space for quiet reflection and integration.
Practice:
• Offer solitude: Invite participants to choose a space to rest, observe, draw, journal, or simply be on their own. Depending on the population that you are guiding, consider if a solo invitation is appropriate or not.
• Minimal guidance: Support self-direction; check safety while preserving spaciousness for participants. Consider if this appropriate for your group, as described above.
Tip: Normalize stillness. Let silence and inner processing be enough.
4. CLOSING STAGE
“Return, reflect, share and celebrate.”
Purpose: Gently transition back into group presence and daily life with shared meaning and closure.
Practice:
• Group reflection: Invite voluntary sharing with prompts like, for example, “What stayed with you?” or “What are you taking from today?”
• Symbolic closure: Leave a nature offering, share a word of gratitude, or engage in a simple closing gesture.
• Grounding ritual: End with shared tea, snack to foster community and reorientation.
Tip: Create inclusive space where all expressions (or silences) are welcome
Variations
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Resources
https://www.accessibleforest.com
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