Spiritual Wellness Meetup Orange County

MINDFULNESS HIKE IN THE FOREST:
Step off the busy path and into the stillness of the forest. This guided Mindfulness Hike combines gentle stretches, breathwork, grounding practices and Qi Gong flows and moving meditations to help you slow down, awaken your senses, restore inner calm and balance.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
We start at the entrance of Canyon View Park, walk down the paved trail, until we get to the dirt trail and entrance to the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. We will begin with a warmup before embarking on our Forest Mindfulness and Nature Bathing journey. We will stop at various places along the trail to enjoy Spiritual and Mindfulness movements, practices and moving meditations. We will also stop at a sanctuary spot under the Ancestral Oak Trees to set an intention for the New Moon. For those who have not received a wish fulfillment card from my Bodhisattva yet and would like one, we will incorporate these wish cards during our intention setting ritual. Our mindfulness practices will help us attune to the healing energy of Mother Earth, the Trees and Animals.

This out-and-back hike, along the Wood Creek Trail, is approximately 3 miles roundtrip. There are some steep areas and uneven terrain, so hiking shoes/boots with non-slip traction soles are recommended as well as hiking poles for those needing extra support. This is not a fast-paced hike rather it is a mindful flowing hike that allows time to stop for natural curiosities, animal sightings and earthing-grounding-mindfulness practices. It is a time to tune into your senses, listen to the bird songs, smell the native plants, feel the earth, breath with the trees and observe natures abundance. We don’t measure the experience by the clock — in fact, we prefer to lose track of time entirely. It's a time to unplug, recharge, immerse yourself in the present moment, connect intimately with Creator, Mother Earth, Father Sun, the Nature and Animal Kingdom and savor the full richness of this mind, body, and soul adventure.

This is more than a hike - it's a chance to reconnect with the earth, new moon cycle and your own inner rhythm. The mindfulness practices I share help to calm the mind and body, regulate the nervous system, harmonize the mind-body-soul, strengthen the physical-mental-emotional-spiritual bodies so you leave feeling uplifted, joyful, recharged and clear on your new intention.

WHERE TO MEET:
At the entrance of Canyon View Park, by the gate and park sign.

TIMELINE:

• 5:40pm - Arrive and park on the street. Meet by the gate entrance and Canyon View Park sign.
• 5:45pm - Introductions and Begin our mindfulness hike.
• 8:00pm - Meetup concludes at approximately this time. However, we don't keep track of time because we journey outside of time to enjoy the mind, body, soul adventure. We end when we end.

HIKE STATS: Total length: 3 miles. Elevation gain: 592 feet. This is an easy hike, but it has some steep hills and uneven terrain.

WHAT TO BRING: Long hiking pants or long leggings, so legs are fully covered due to Poison Oak and insects. Sturdy, close-toe trail hiking shoes/boots with non-slip traction soles and hiking poles for those needing extra support. Water and layered clothing. Dress mindfully so you feel comfortable and safe in this wilderness park.

FREE PARKING

RESTROOM AVAILABLE: There is one portable bathroom available.

PLEASE NOTE: We start promptly at 5:45pm. If you are late, please catch up with us.

NATURE TRAIL PRECAUTIONS: We need to be aware of mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak, prickly plants such as cactus, ticks, flying insects, loose rocks, rugged terrain, and natural hazards along the trail. Long hiking pants or long leggings are recommended. Closed toed hiking shoes/boots with non-slip traction soles are mandatory, and hiking poles are recommended for those needing extra support.

ABOUT THE MINDFULNESS SESSION:
Step off the busy path and into the stillness of this Oak Woodland sanctuary. This Nature Bathing & Mindfulness Session combines gentle stretches, breathwork, grounding practices and Qi Gong flows and moving meditations under the Ancestral Oak Trees, to help you slow down, awaken your senses, restore inner calm and balance.

We will begin with a short walk to one of the oldest Oaks named "Grandfather Tree," for some breathing and gratitude practices connecting to Mother Earth, Father Sun and the 6 Directions. Then, we will walk down the Oak Woodland trail, and settle in a nice spot along the flowing creek for some soothing Qi Gong mindfulness practices. Next is a short walk down the creek where we take our shoes off to earth and ground while standing on the sand or in the flowing creek to enjoy our final moving meditation flow.

It is a time to tune into your senses, listen to the unique bird songs, smell the native plants, feel the earth, breath with the trees and observe natures abundance. It's a time to unplug, recharge, immerse yourself in the present moment, connect intimately with Creator, Mother Earth, Father Sun, the Nature and Animal Kingdom and savor the full richness of this mind, body, and soul adventure.

The mindfulness practices I share help to calm the mind and body, regulate the nervous system, harmonize the mind-body-soul, strengthen the physical-mental-emotional-spiritual bodies so you leave feeling uplifted, joyful, balanced and recharged.

TIMELINE:

• 3:55pm - Arrive at the meeting place on Arroyo Vista near the north or back gate of Tijeras Creek Golf Club.
• 4:00pm - Start walking to Grandfather tree.
• 4:15pm - Mindfulness journey begins
• 5:15am- Estimated time session ends.
• 5:30pm- Approximate return time to cars.