In October, beside Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, I delivered an outdoor movement session for teachers and outdoor education practitioners exploring the connection between natural landscapes and wellbeing.
Surrounded by autumn colours, still water and the changing mountain landscape, we had the opportunity to slow down, move mindfully and reconnect with our surroundings. Natural landscapes offer more than beautiful scenery, they can invite us to reflect, become more aware and in tune with our body and mind as we notice the rhythms of our breathing as we connect with the environment and experience movement in a different way.
From the gentle movement of water to the grounding presence of the land beneath our feet, these slow movements integrating Pilates exercises in breathing, stretching and strength alongside the natural features of the landscape provided a meaningful setting for reflection, connection and wellbeing.
This trip incorporated a steep hike to Mount Pec. When we engage with landscapes through slow movement, we begin to experience them differently, not just as places we visit, but as environments that shape how we feel and connect with the world.
