Being out in the ngahere (forest) always brings so much wisdom and medicine for me. One thing I have noticed in my time in the ngahere is that although different trees have different 'personalities', the different species also hold certain energetic signatures. 💚 I'm curious to know which of the following trees that you resonate with the most? 🌲 1. Kauri — The Ancient Wisdom Keeper You carry deep knowing — even if you don’t always trust it. You're here to hold timelines, truths, and possibilities. People come to you for clarity, even when you feel wobbly yourself.Your growth lesson: stand tall without carrying the weight of the whole forest. 🌟 Keywords: old soul, steady, intuitive, visionary. 🌿 2. Mānuka — The Resilient Regenerator You rise where others can’t. You grow through harsh winds, cold seasons, and challenging soil — and somehow come out stronger. You transmute hurt into medicine.Your growth lesson: soften; you don’t always have to be the tough one. 🌟 Keywords: survivor, alchemist, adaptable, protective. 🍃 3. Kawakawa — The Heart Healer You feel everything.Your medicine is connection, compassion, and soothing the tender places — in yourself and others. You’re guided by intuition, sensation, and emotion.Your growth lesson: keep some medicine for yourself. 🌟 Keywords: empath, healer, nurturer, emotional intelligence. 🌳 4. Tōtara — The Leader & Builder You are the backbone.Strong, grounded, dependable, and designed to create structures that last. You bring direction where others bring chaos.Your growth lesson: delegate; roots network better when they’re shared. 🌟 Keywords: leadership, legacy, structure, responsibility. 🔥 5. Pōhutukawa — The Creative Fire You burst into brilliance at the edge of season. You innovate, disrupt, express, and radiate beauty. You don’t grow in straight lines — and that’s your power.Your growth lesson: consistency doesn’t kill magic; it amplifies it. 🌟 Keywords: creativity, colour, inspiration, spontaneity. 🌬️ 6. Kānuka — The Light Worker

Ok, I must say I am going a little crazy with not being able to go into the forest everyday so wondering if everyone can help me out and share a photo of your favourite nature space please. I would love to hear about what makes it so special to you too ⬇️

With my foot still in a moon boot and more time to study I have been delving much deeper into my sylvotherapy training. Just had to laugh when this question came up in the middle of my test after having to answer some much deeper questions around the psychology and physiology of forest bathing😆 I hug trees all the time so this one was easy to answer, curious to know if you are a tree hugger too? 🌳

For those who don't already know, I am studying Sylvotherapy (or Forest therapy) and so naturally I have been spending quite some time in the forest putting all my learnings into action. What have noticed is that the days when I have been racing around and I step in the ngahere (forest), I find it surprisingly hard to just sit still. My mind races, my body fidgets, and “relaxing” feels anything but relaxing. So, I came up with a solution for myself to help quiet the noise and bring all my senses back online through creating Nature Mandalas. It’s such a beautiful, grounding practice — especially for those days when meditation feels out of reach. ✨ Here’s how it works: Wander gently and let the land offer you what it wants to. Collect whatever catches your eye — leaves, twigs, bark, moss, berries, fallen petals… anything natural that’s already on the forest floor. No forcing. No rushing. Just noticing. Then find a spot that feels good, settle in, and begin placing each item one by one. Let your hands follow your intuition. Let nature guide the pattern. Let your breath slow down. Before you know it, your mind will soften, your senses will awaken, and you’ll feel yourself syncing back up with the land — seeing, feeling, hearing, touching, and being. Nature Mandalas aren’t about perfection or art skills. They’re about presence. Connection. Letting yourself be gently rewoven back into wholeness. If you make one this week, I’d love to see it — share it in the group so we can all soak up the beauty you have created with the land 🌏💚