"Ask nature questions, and you will get answers."~Jean Craighead George
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will we be outside the entire time?
For our EcoHealing Retreats, we will bring our program to your location, and we will utilize a natural space in your area. Minimally, we require some form of protection from the elements (e.g. picnic pavilion) and bathroom facilities, so most if not all of our programming will be outside. Our Facilitated Drum Circles can be enjoyed both outside and inside.
2. How are you approaching safety and Covid-19?
We will follow the most current guidelines offered by the Virginia Department of Health.
3. What is EcoHealing?
EcoHealing approaches dis-ease through a holistic lens—mind, body, spirit—and invites the individual to intentionally connect with the healing capacities of the more-than-human-world as a means to nurture one’s connection to Self, Spirit and Community.
“Self” refers to the “Authentic Self”— the birthplace of our resilience. “Spirit” refers to the "Great Mystery"— the birthplace of our creativity as well as those life experiences that we cannot control, justify or explain. When one's EcoHealing experiences and insights are witnessed in Community and held as sacred, it supports the co-creation of a restorative healing environment.
4. Is EcoHealing psychotherapy?
No. In psychotherapy, the primary healing relationship is between the client/self and the therapist. In EcoHealing, the primary healing relationship is between the individual/self and the Earth, where the group's role is to bear witness to one another's experiences, and the facilitator's role is to prepare participants and facilitate various aspects of the program; provide a grounding and supportive presence; and 'anchor the container' that is co-created by the participants, facilitator, and the more-than-human world.
5. Is EcoHealing Yoga?
No. EcoHealing offers its own unique mind-body-spirit experience and does not require participants to hold poses on a mat.
6. What will we do?
Each program's intention will inform the choice of activities, but a typical 8-hour EcoHealing group retreat includes an opening ceremony that has both a grounding and creative component, solitary time in nature, sacred sharing, guided nature-connection activities, time for reflection, a ceremony marking the intention of the retreat, and a closing ceremony. Other types of activities with a specific focus are also available, for example, a guided group mindfulness hike or a facilitated drumming circle. If you have specific ideas for your group, we will do our best to incorporate them.
7. Will we be hiking as a group?
If your group wants to incorporate a short guided group hike, that is possible, but it is not required. We also like to think of our group hikes less as "going on a hike" and more of a "slow and relaxed group wander."
8. What about cell phones?
It is requested that all electronic devices be turned off and stored throughout the duration of the program. If an extenuating circumstance exists, please speak with the facilitator ahead of time to discuss the options.
9. Will I have to eat bugs?
No, but you can if you'd like!
Still have questions? Call 434-277-5001 or email michelezehr@earthbasedhealing.org
For our EcoHealing Retreats, we will bring our program to your location, and we will utilize a natural space in your area. Minimally, we require some form of protection from the elements (e.g. picnic pavilion) and bathroom facilities, so most if not all of our programming will be outside. Our Facilitated Drum Circles can be enjoyed both outside and inside.
2. How are you approaching safety and Covid-19?
We will follow the most current guidelines offered by the Virginia Department of Health.
3. What is EcoHealing?
EcoHealing approaches dis-ease through a holistic lens—mind, body, spirit—and invites the individual to intentionally connect with the healing capacities of the more-than-human-world as a means to nurture one’s connection to Self, Spirit and Community.
“Self” refers to the “Authentic Self”— the birthplace of our resilience. “Spirit” refers to the "Great Mystery"— the birthplace of our creativity as well as those life experiences that we cannot control, justify or explain. When one's EcoHealing experiences and insights are witnessed in Community and held as sacred, it supports the co-creation of a restorative healing environment.
4. Is EcoHealing psychotherapy?
No. In psychotherapy, the primary healing relationship is between the client/self and the therapist. In EcoHealing, the primary healing relationship is between the individual/self and the Earth, where the group's role is to bear witness to one another's experiences, and the facilitator's role is to prepare participants and facilitate various aspects of the program; provide a grounding and supportive presence; and 'anchor the container' that is co-created by the participants, facilitator, and the more-than-human world.
5. Is EcoHealing Yoga?
No. EcoHealing offers its own unique mind-body-spirit experience and does not require participants to hold poses on a mat.
6. What will we do?
Each program's intention will inform the choice of activities, but a typical 8-hour EcoHealing group retreat includes an opening ceremony that has both a grounding and creative component, solitary time in nature, sacred sharing, guided nature-connection activities, time for reflection, a ceremony marking the intention of the retreat, and a closing ceremony. Other types of activities with a specific focus are also available, for example, a guided group mindfulness hike or a facilitated drumming circle. If you have specific ideas for your group, we will do our best to incorporate them.
7. Will we be hiking as a group?
If your group wants to incorporate a short guided group hike, that is possible, but it is not required. We also like to think of our group hikes less as "going on a hike" and more of a "slow and relaxed group wander."
8. What about cell phones?
It is requested that all electronic devices be turned off and stored throughout the duration of the program. If an extenuating circumstance exists, please speak with the facilitator ahead of time to discuss the options.
9. Will I have to eat bugs?
No, but you can if you'd like!
Still have questions? Call 434-277-5001 or email michelezehr@earthbasedhealing.org