Sioned and Elin both grew up on farms in rural north Wales and are old friends. After first meeting while studying for a psychology degree 30 years ago their professional lives took different paths. After a few years working in education and welfare Sioned returned to her roots and to her first love to start a business growing, arranging and selling flowers. Meanwhile Elin worked as an educational psychologist for 20 years before life brought her to a crossroads where she decided to give up her job to take over the running of her family farm. Elin trained to teach mindfulness around 10 years ago and has taught groups of adults and children within education and in the community. Despite the different paths, both have now come full circle and spend their days working outside in the fresh air in close relationship with the seasons.
“We were keen to share the benefits we’ve experienced form practicing mindfulness outside and from working closely with nature.” (Sioned)
They now run monthly sessions in Sioned’s beautiful garden in the Ruthin area, weaving in their skills and interests in mindfulness, creativity, gardening and wellbeing to create an opportunity for slowing down and spending time in nature.
“We are trying to create an opportunity to use mindfulness to reconnect with nature, to remember that we are part of nature and, maybe, while we learn about caring for the garden, we may remember to care for ourselves in the same way.” (Elin)
The sessions provide periods of short mindfulness practice with a focus on opening to the sensory experiences of the garden: the sound of the little brook and the birds, the smell of blossom, the feel of soil between the fingers. The garden provides a feast of experiences for the senses that naturally brings the attention to the present moment with ease.
“Paying attention to the scent and beauty of a rose, for example, can feel easier and more natural than sitting indoors on a cushion and therefore practising in the garden can be a lovely way into mindfulness for the first time or a way of deepening an existing practice.” (Elin)
“Having sessions in a peaceful garden, out in the open air in the midst of nature enhances my ability to experience and appreciate my life as it unfolds in each moment.” (Participant)
Each session follows a theme which ties in with the season and the activities in the garden. At the beginning of the winter there was a session along the theme of “nourishing and tucking in”. This focused on the main job in the garden that week of gathering the dead leaves and placing them around the base of trees and plants as a mulch, to protect them from winter cold and frost and to deliver nutrients to the roots. Whilst going about raking and gathering leaves awake to the sensory experiences of the task participants were invited to reflect on how we too can nourish and protect ourselves over the winter months.
There is also an opportunity to partake in one or two simple creative or growing activities in each session. These activities create an opportunity to practise paying attention to the sensory experience of a task with warm curiosity and without judging, creating space to notice emerging emotions and experiences that can arise while working with plants and other natural materials. In a springtime session the group spent time walking around the garden collecting materials to create a little nest to plant a flower in. Some in the session described noticing feelings of awe and admiration for the skill and the tenacity of the birds that were also busy building their own nests, others noticed feelings of calm contentedness and a sense of flow as they became absorbed in process of creating.
Every session ends with tea and cake outside in the garden if the weather allows or by the fire in the cosy workshop. The conversation over tea often centres around the theme of the session and around the small wonders discovered in the garden and in the experience of slowing down and noticing.
“This time is so precious for me to be able to offer care and attention to my mind, my emotions, my senses and my spirit.” (Participant)
More information can be found on the website: www.pontytwr.co.uk
Instagram: sioned.pontytwr
Or email for more information: info@pontytwr.co.uk