Rooted in Nature, Rooted in Us

June Event Recap · Black Girl WELLbeing

Our June events nourished us through nature… the way it was intended. Whether we were adjusting to a sudden downpour or sitting still enough for a horse to trust us, two questions kept surfacing: Can we get grounded and present enough to adapt? Can we get grounded and present enough for authentic connection? Here's what we found — and how you can keep reflecting and growing between now and our next gathering. 

Yoga: Grounding Ourselves, Rain or Shine

Can we get grounded and present enough to ADAPT?

Our yoga gathering reminded us that wellness is not about perfect conditions. Although the event was originally planned outdoors, nature had its own plans, and rainy weather moved the session indoors. What could have been a disappointment quickly became an opportunity to practice one of yoga's greatest lessons: adapting to the moment. We practiced flexibility, curiosity, and a commitment to wellbeing despite shifting circumstances.

The indoor setting created an intimate and calming atmosphere, allowing us to step away from the demands of daily life and create space for reflection, relaxation, and renewal. Just as the rain nourishes growth, we were reminded that unexpected changes can often lead to surprisingly meaningful experiences.

Carry the WELLbeing with You: 

Next time your plans shift without your permission, try naming it out loud — "this isn't what I expected, and I can still be here" — before deciding how you feel about it. Adaptability is a wellness practice we can build, not just a mood.

Happy Hooves: Learning from Nature's Gentle Teachers

Can we get grounded and present enough for AUTHENTIC Connection?

We gathered for a guided animal learning experience centered on connection, awareness, and personal growth. When I tell you we were out here serving looks and soaking up sunshine! (The horses were also serving looks — multi-colored, braided-in hair extensions! 🤩) Surrounded by horses and the peaceful environment of the farm, we had the opportunity to slow down, observe, and engage with nature in a deeply meaningful way. The horses were loving on us. We were loving on them. Even the goats were getting in on it!

Our Time with the Animals

Crystal, our guide, told us how horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions and energy, offering valuable insights into communication, boundaries, self-awareness, and trust. Through guided activities and interactions, we explored these themes. 

“Horses meet you where you're at today and leave space for you to be different tomorrow.”

We can learn how to do that for each other too. 

Crystal also told us the horses are easiest to work with when their needs are met. Isn’t that true for us too?

“What might it be like if, when we're having difficulty or someone else is being difficult, we considered the potential unmet needs underneath it?”

Our Time with Each Other

In our garden lunch discussion after, we were breathing different and feeling different than when we arrived. We noticed what it felt like to loosen the grip that our roles, responsibilities and others’ expectations can have on us. We talked about how the safety we experienced in the environment and with each other allowed us to explore and move through some of our fears. That safety let us see the animals and ourselves differently, loosen some of our limiting assumptions, and try new things. We experienced what it's like to build a relationship by slowing down and being — and how that helps you understand yourself, your needs, and others better.

The experience offered more than time with horses. It offered a chance to be fully present. In a world filled with constant distractions, the farm environment invited us to listen, observe, and connect in ways that often get overlooked in everyday life.

Carry the WELLbeing with You: 

This week, try asking — of yourself or someone you love — "what do you actually need right now?" before responding to friction. Presence and mutual care aren't only for the farm.

After our session, Crystal told Dr. Mishelle how remarkably well the horses responded to us. (Maybe it's the Black Girl Magic… maybe it's the shea butter, LOL). It's what presence and mutual care feels like, and we need more of it. We loved it. One person said “20 out of 10”. So we're definitely going back — and we even started to dream up a future Black Girl WELLbeing retreat! See what can happen when we slow down and re-connect.

P.S. — We had food from Grand Traverse Pie Company, and the peach crumble pie was Black Girl approved. 🥧

Want to keep exploring these ideas between events?

Download the Happy Hooves worksheet we created for this as a companion tool for the event. It has reflection questions and facts on how time in nature supports our wellbeing.

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