Find Your Calm by
Connecting to Nature
Mindful Outdoor Experiences
& Poetry Writing
What is A Mindful Nature?
A Mindful Nature is a small, woman-owned business offering outdoor programs to anyone who wants to learn how to connect more deeply to the more-than-human world. A Mindful Nature means slowing down, being present, observing, and experiencing awe and wonder in the natural world. A Mindful Nature is based in Philadelphia, but can offer custom programs anywhere either in-person or virtually. Programs incorporate mindfulness, outdoor exploration, and poetry reading and writing to create truly unique and supportive experiences.
What is a Mindful Outdoor Experience?
A Mindful Outdoor Experience (MOE) is a nine-step process that helps participants slow down, observe, and reconnect with the more-than-human world. It's a combination of gentle movement, guided breathing, mindful observation, and simply reconnecting with your wild self. MOEs also incorporate a sense of grounding and connection to place, helping reset busy minds that are often more connected to screens.
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Micah Mortali, Founding Director of the Kripalu School for Mindful Outdoor Leadership, created the structure of the Mindful Outdoor Experience. In his book, Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature, he lays out the nine steps included in an MOE. Micah also created and runs the training program for guides at Kripalu. A Mindful Nature incorporates Kripalu's practices into all programs.
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As a trained Mindful Outdoor Guide, A Mindful Nature's leader, Lori Litchman, will lead you and your group through all the steps of an MOE.
How does Poetry fit into the Mindful Outdoor Experience?
Poetry isn't technically part of a Mindful Outdoor Experience, but often, guides will read poetry to inspire participants to connect to the natural world. Lori Litchman, A Mindful Nature's lead guide, is also a poet and professional writer and made her realize that connecting poetry to Mindful Outdoor Experience could increase the health benefits for anyone who participates. You can talk with Lori about creating programming with or without poetry writing, but even if you are unsure about including it, give it a try to see how you feel after immersing yourself in nature while reading and writing poetry. We think your brain and body will thank you.
Experiences
A Mindful Nature offers a variety of experiences you can choose from for your organization or your small group.
Mindful Outdoor Experience
A traditional MOE that incorporates all nine steps and allows for mostly quiet connection to nature.
Mindful Outdoor Experience
+poetry
Writing
This experience combines parts of a traditional MOE with time for reading, writing, and sharing of poetry.
guided mindful hike
This hike is more like an "awe" walk. We'll slow down and learn to look more closely at nature. The distance covered is less important.
Generative Poetry Workshops
If you are looking for some creative inspiration, or just want to try your hand at writing poetry to experience its benefits, this is the workshop for you.
How Being Mindful Outdoors Changes Our Lives
Helps you sleep better
Spending time outdoors increases your sunlight intake and helps your circadian rhythm reset, which helps you sleep better.
Decreases anxiety & depression
Being mindful outdoors helps increase feelings of well-being, while decreasing feelings of disconnection and loneliness.
Reduces stress & improves health
Mindfulness outdoors decreases your heart rate and blood pressure, while strengthening your immune system.
Improves attention & concentration
Just a short time being mindful in nature can help improve your focus and productivity.
How Writing Poetry Changes Our Brains
Reduces stress & anxiety
Research has shown that writing poetry helps process emotions and increases feelings of well-being.
Improves cognitive function
Reading and writing poetry has been shown to improve memory retention language processing.
Increases feelings of hope
Reading poetry can increase feelings of positivity.
Our brains are hard-wired for poetry
Research has shown that reading & writing poetry promotes neural connections and a healthy brain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and noticing what is going on in the present moment. We will practice observing nature around us, and as you do so, you will notice that your brain is more eager to be in the present.
Who is this programming for?
Anyone and everyone! I can work with nature centers and outdoor spaces, friend groups, professional groups, educators, senior centers, long-term healthcare facilities, clubs, secondary schools, colleges, and home schooling groups. Email me to discuss your group's needs.
How should I prepare?
Always bring water with you. Check the forecast ahead of time and dress in layers so you are comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. Consider turning your cell phone off so you can be fully present for our time together. Pack a snack in case you want to nibble on something. If you need anything else, we will be sure to let you know.
What if I can't quiet my mind?
You are human, so it is likely that you won't be able to instantly quiet your mind. Lori will guide you in some mindful movement, breathing, and grounding to help you slow down your thoughts and just be present.
What if I've never written poetry?
Anyone can write poetry! I'll provide you with prompts and support to help you get started if you feel stuck. The beauty of poetry is that it can be anything you want it to be. It's your decision if you want to share what you write.
How much does it cost?
Each program is different, so the cost depends on the program. A Mindful Nature will always work with participants to make sure the experiences are affordable for everyone. Should you want to discuss bringing this programming to a group on a recurring basis, Lori is happy to help you seek grant funding.
​Upcoming Events
Guided Hike in Wissahickon Valley Park in partnership with Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Saturday, September 27
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Wissahickon Valley Park has so much history in addition to the amazing woodlands right in our collective backyard. Spend the afternoon exploring some historic gems on this guided hike! We’ll start at the Bells Mill entrance to Wissahickon Valley Park and follow Forbidden Drive to cross two historic bridges—the Rex Avenue bridge and the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge. We’ll also climb up a historic stone staircase and scramble down below the covered bridge to see it from a unique perspective.
The first half of the 3-mile hike is flat on a crushed stone path. The second half will be on the Orange Trail, with gentle, rolling hills. Total hiking time will be between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on our collective pace. If you are new to hiking, or to exploring the Wissahickon, this hike will be a great introduction. If you are a hiking pro, you’ll enjoy slowing down to take in the beauty of the Wissahickon Valley.
Dress for the weather and bring water and a snack. Bathrooms are available at the beginning/end of the hike.
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Click HERE to register.
CLASS: Writing Poetry as a Form of Resistance through Mount Airy Learning Tree
at Cliveden
Three Tuesdays
November 4, 11, 18
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Are you struggling to wrap your head around all of the chaos? Writing poetry is one way to help channel your rage while engaging your creativity. Writing poetry has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of hope. In this class, we will read a variety of different resistance-themed poems and then take time to write our own. Students will receive a small poetry journal, writing prompts each week, and tactics about making poetry writing a regular practice. We'll also save some time at the end of each workshop for anyone who would like to share what they've written. No experience necessary!
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Click HERE to register.
Writer’s Retreat: An Afternoon of Writing Poetry in the Garden
at Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Sunday, October 5
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Did you know that reading and writing poetry is good for your brain? And that being mindful in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety? In this afternoon retreat, we’ll combine being mindful outdoors with writing poetry. Your brain will thank you, as will your inner muse. We will start the afternoon by reading a few poems for inspiration before setting out to mindfully observe the beauty of the Morris in autumn. You’ll have ample time to write and play with words as you create poems drawn from your mindful observations of the natural world. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their poems with the group. No background or previous experience writing poetry is necessary! This afternoon will be a gift to your nervous system and your creative spirit!
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Click HERE to register.
Winter Meadow Walk at Houston Meadow through
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Saturday, November 8
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Walking through a meadow in the wintertime is nourishing for the body and mind. Meadows tend to be rare in urban environments, but Houston Meadow is an exception and is stunning at any time of year. While the colorful blooms have faded, we’ll enjoy the quiet beauty of paper birch trees beginning to show off their bark, and wisps of seed fluff dancing in the wind. The hike will follow a 2.5-mile loop around Houston Meadow, which will take us about 2 hours at a slow pace. The path features gentle rolling hills, and relatively even terrain on a rock and dirt trail.
Park at Houston Playground, where we will meet to start the hike. If you are new to hiking, or exploring the Wissahickon, this hike will be a great introduction. If you are a hiking pro, you’ll enjoy slowing down to take in the beauty of the meadow in the winter. Bathrooms are available at the playground. Dress for the weather. Bring water and a snack. We’ll reschedule if weather presents a danger.​
Click HERE to register.
About Me
Hello! I'm Lori Litchman, founder of A Mindful Nature. I'm a certified Level 1 Mindful Outdoor Guide through the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. I'm also a professional writer and poet with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction. I'm the author of the hiking guide book, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Philadelphia and the forthcoming PA travel book, Pennsylvania Day Trips. I love spending time outdoors and sharing my love of nature with others. I'm a former educator, so I know how to craft engaging programming. I am also certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. I look forward to working with you and your group!
Publications
My MFA craft paper about the evolution of the American nature writer, published in The Writer's Chronicle.
I write eco-poetry, speculative poetry, and nature poetry mostly. Click here to read my published poems.
I've authored a hiking guide book and PA travel book and have blogs to go with each.
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I write travel listicles for Expedia and Hotels.com. Click here to read some of my favorites.
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Writing Services
As a professional writer, I'm always looking for new clients to support who are looking for someone who can take complex ideas and create content that is simple and engaging. If you have a writing need that fits one of my areas of expertise, use the Contact Form below to send me an email.
Grant Writing
I specialize in large Federal grants. I support grant seekers in crafting detailed and compelling narratives. Successful grants from NEH, NEA, NPS (Save America's Treasures).
Technical Writing
Technical writing comes in many forms. My areas of specialty are educational writing including curriculum, legal writing, business writing, and compliance and oversight writing.
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Accessible Writing
Statistics show that the average American reads at about a middle school level. As a certified Reading Specialist and former classroom teacher, I'm an expert at crafting prose accessible to diverse audiences.
Blog Writing
Sometimes you just need content that is simple and engaging to detail your company or non-profit's work. I love writing blog posts that tell compelling stories.
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Get in Touch
Complete the form below to send A Mindful Nature an email. Thanks for your interest!