Nau Mai, Haere Mai, welcome to
OUTDOOR BLISS
where you are invited to
Reconnect and Heal in Upper Hutt’s Great Outdoors
OUTDOOR BLISS
where you are invited to
Reconnect and Heal in Upper Hutt’s Great Outdoors
Kia Ora, my name is Heather and I provide a variety of low impact mindfulness activities outdoors for people of all ages and abilities. My vision is to connect people with nature for the wellbeing of both. Our ancestors were very connected with their natural environment and old news is fast becoming new news. The health benefits are being rediscovered. You may have heard the words grounding/earthing or ngahere/bush/forest bathing or as the Japanese call it Shinrin-Yoku. Regardless of the name I can assure you that nature truly is the best therapist.
How do I know that nature is the best therapist? Because I have walked the talk and still continue to heal my own journey by taking myself outdoors whenever I feel out of sorts in some way. I use it as preventative healing too. Why wait until you are feeling disregulated? We are very fortunate here in Aotearoa because most of us can access the sea and bush or even more simply, step outside our homes onto the bare earth. Having said that it is still easier said than done. Barriers can include mind health, lifestyle and physical health to name a few.
Every single one of us has a story and challenges to overcome. That is part of the life journey. Some of us will have heavier stories than others. Regardless, they are your unique stories. Over the years many stories have been shared in the safety of the bush or sitting on a boulder by the river. Outdoor Bliss was created after years of walking alongside people while 'holding the space' in outdoor spaces and witnessing the healing benefits.
“If we carry inter-generational trauma (and we do), then we also carry inter-generational wisdom. It’s in our genes and in our DNA” ~Kazu Haga.
What do I mean by 'holding the space'? It means to walk alongside another without judgement or problem solving while being totally present. In the bush for example, this can mean that I am mindful of what might be going on for you while maintaining vigilance of the environment around you. The opportunity for you to completely let go and relax. Some years back I took a woman into an old forest on a wet day and she sung with the most beautiful voice. Reflecting later she informed me that it was only possible because she felt emotionally, physically and spiritually safe 'letting go' knowing that if someone or something came along I would bring her back.
There are many different healing modalities out there, mine is just one and it might be just what you need.
Ngahere/Bush/Forest bathing (not naked in the bush) or Shinrin-Yoku as the Japanese call it has been proven to improve wellbeing, stimulate all the senses while also reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Provides clarity of mind, peacefulness, calm and grounding to name a few.
Our busy lifestyles mean it is even more important to take time out for self. Covid reawakened that knowledge.
If you want to hug a tree, hug a tree. Every experience is completely unique based on your abilities and what you wish to gain. Nature itself creates an interchangeable backdrop to your wellness journey. We could visit the same space multiple times and no two experiences would be the same.
What I offer is facilitation to support your wellness outdoors individually or as a group. I offer the opportunity to remove some of those barriers. As an organisation you might consider this either for your staff or your clients.
Sustainability and Kaitiakitanga are what drives me. To quote Jacques Cousteau "People only protect what they love". Imagine if that was themselves, Papatūānuku and the communities they live in.
All bookings with Outdoor Bliss require an additional 'environmental koha'. A koha is a gift, offering, present, donation or contribution. How you choose to do that is entirely personal to you. I do not require evidence. It could be that you collect rubbish, repurpose something, say a karakia, donate time or money to an environmental cause, refuse plastic when shopping etc etc.
It is my vision to connect people with nature for the wellbeing of both and to awaken your senses.
"I am perfectly imperfect and imperfectly perfect" Heather Blissett
For stories and events visit my Facebook page Outdoor Bliss or browse the gallery below to get a sense of what you can expect.
Book a presentation to learn more
How do I know that nature is the best therapist? Because I have walked the talk and still continue to heal my own journey by taking myself outdoors whenever I feel out of sorts in some way. I use it as preventative healing too. Why wait until you are feeling disregulated? We are very fortunate here in Aotearoa because most of us can access the sea and bush or even more simply, step outside our homes onto the bare earth. Having said that it is still easier said than done. Barriers can include mind health, lifestyle and physical health to name a few.
Every single one of us has a story and challenges to overcome. That is part of the life journey. Some of us will have heavier stories than others. Regardless, they are your unique stories. Over the years many stories have been shared in the safety of the bush or sitting on a boulder by the river. Outdoor Bliss was created after years of walking alongside people while 'holding the space' in outdoor spaces and witnessing the healing benefits.
“If we carry inter-generational trauma (and we do), then we also carry inter-generational wisdom. It’s in our genes and in our DNA” ~Kazu Haga.
What do I mean by 'holding the space'? It means to walk alongside another without judgement or problem solving while being totally present. In the bush for example, this can mean that I am mindful of what might be going on for you while maintaining vigilance of the environment around you. The opportunity for you to completely let go and relax. Some years back I took a woman into an old forest on a wet day and she sung with the most beautiful voice. Reflecting later she informed me that it was only possible because she felt emotionally, physically and spiritually safe 'letting go' knowing that if someone or something came along I would bring her back.
There are many different healing modalities out there, mine is just one and it might be just what you need.
Ngahere/Bush/Forest bathing (not naked in the bush) or Shinrin-Yoku as the Japanese call it has been proven to improve wellbeing, stimulate all the senses while also reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Provides clarity of mind, peacefulness, calm and grounding to name a few.
Our busy lifestyles mean it is even more important to take time out for self. Covid reawakened that knowledge.
If you want to hug a tree, hug a tree. Every experience is completely unique based on your abilities and what you wish to gain. Nature itself creates an interchangeable backdrop to your wellness journey. We could visit the same space multiple times and no two experiences would be the same.
What I offer is facilitation to support your wellness outdoors individually or as a group. I offer the opportunity to remove some of those barriers. As an organisation you might consider this either for your staff or your clients.
Sustainability and Kaitiakitanga are what drives me. To quote Jacques Cousteau "People only protect what they love". Imagine if that was themselves, Papatūānuku and the communities they live in.
All bookings with Outdoor Bliss require an additional 'environmental koha'. A koha is a gift, offering, present, donation or contribution. How you choose to do that is entirely personal to you. I do not require evidence. It could be that you collect rubbish, repurpose something, say a karakia, donate time or money to an environmental cause, refuse plastic when shopping etc etc.
It is my vision to connect people with nature for the wellbeing of both and to awaken your senses.
"I am perfectly imperfect and imperfectly perfect" Heather Blissett
For stories and events visit my Facebook page Outdoor Bliss or browse the gallery below to get a sense of what you can expect.
Book a presentation to learn more