Qigong and Therapeutic Nature Practices

 

About me

 

Hi, I'm Lou. I live in Bristol's Frome Vale near the river with my family and our beautiful dog, Jeela. I am happiest when I'm outdoors in nature, whether that's rain, snow or sunshine! The wildlife beyond our windows has always provided sanctuary and guidance for me.

 

I was lucky enough to grow up exploring the woods, streams and hillsides of Southwest England, West Wales and Western Scotland. Though as a child I enjoyed a good deal of freedom I also encountered huge challenges, which lead in one or another to breakdown and a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or ME) aged 32. Despite years of struggle I was lucky enough to receive so much love and support from those around me that I was able to rediscover my deep love of wildlife. Around the same time little I turned to alternative practices for help - as very little was understood or offered by the NHS for CFS then - and found Qigong and Forest School. I have not looked back since.

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As soon as I was able I trained as a Level 3 Forest School Leader with Jon Attwood who was part of the Forest of Avon Trust at the time. I also started a regular Qigong practice, doing the 'healing form' for 5 minutes each day as instructed by the wonderful Nicola Ley. In 2022 I joined Nicola's Qigong Teacher Training through the Shiatsu College and graduated 16 months later in December 2023.

 

Most recently, I have been accepted onto Mimi Kuo-Deemer's Qigong Mentorship Program, which feels like an exciting honour! I love teaching more than I can say in words; sharing my practice is such a privilege because it challenges me to grow and develop whilst enabling others to experience the wonders of this ancient art-form.

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In parallel to the Qigong, I also draw on my deep passion and personal connection with nature. My aim is to inspire others to find peace and healing within themselves. As well as the Forest School Leadership training I have also more recently trained as a Shirin yoku / Forest Bathing Practitioner with Nature and Therapy who are based in Devon.

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I love combining the wisdom of these different disciplines; weaving their magic together with the aim of creating a unique, therapeutic, deeply moving, personal experience.

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I work with people of all ages and backgrounds, mainly through voluntary organisations and the NHS. I have recently become a Director of Nature Connection CIC - https://www.nature-connection.org.uk/ - working closely with this wonderful community of practitioners to expand our scope and bring empowerment and skills to communities local to Bristol.

 

I am also very keen to develop my private client base and aim to offer various retreats and workshops throughout the year - so please keep an eye on my website. My goal is to help those who need nature and movement the most; to enable them to find a more sustainable and enjoyable existence.

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Qigong

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Pronounced ‘chi gung’; this is a practice derived from the same origins as Tai Chi within Traditional Chinese Medicine. The focus is less martial than Tai Chi and involves gentle, low-impact movements coordinated with deep breathing, mindfulness and imagery. What I love both when I am teaching and when I am a student is the feeling that we are going on a timeless journey to some of the most beautiful and magical places imaginable on this planet. We enter a realm where we can cross oceans, harness the power of mountains and breathe with dragons. It can invoke joy, bliss and deep reverence all in one session. Qigong is proven to be beneficial at reducing pain, improving flexibility, strengthening muscles, enhancing balance as well as improving sleep, cognition, relaxation and general wellbeing. Incredible eh!?

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Forest School

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​Forest School Leadership training requires the knowledge of a variety of educational pedagogies as well as some understanding forest management and ecological philosophies with specific emphasis on how people learn within a woodland environment.

 

Essentially, Forest School is a learner lead approach which takes place in a woodland or nature rich environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world. A key component of the Forest School approach is to ensure sessions take place regularly and consistently over an extended period of time and incorporate feedback from the learners in the development of scheme of sessions. Within Forest School sessions participants might learn about fire lighting, cultivate their woodland craft skills, build a treehouse, prepare, cook and share food outdoors or simply sitting and be mindful of their environment.

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Shinrin yoku / Forest Bathing

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This is a practice derived from Japan, known as 'Shirin-yoku' or Forest Bathing in the UK. When Forest Bathing people fully immerse themselves, mind, body and spirit, in the nature-rich environment around them. They do this by slowing down, observing the forest with all their sense and taking time to appreciate and reflect on the natural world around them. There are several scientific studies that show the health benefits of Forest Bathing, including; immune and nervous system repair, improved sleep, reduced blood pressure and stress, increased cognition and a general boost in physical and mental health.