In a world increasingly dominated by digital distractions and urban landscapes, a growing number of people are seeking ways to reconnect with the natural world and rediscover their authentic selves. Enter the Nurtured by Nature Retreat, a transformative experience nestled in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains that combines ancient practices and modern wellness approaches like forest therapy, qigong, and meaningful rituals.
Founded by visionaries who understand the profound healing power of nature, the Nurtured by Nature retreat offers participants what many describe as a “life-changing” opportunity to reset mentally, emotionally, and physically. Through guided forest walks among aspens and pines, moving meditation practices, and sacred rituals, guests discover not only stress relief but also a deeper sense of belonging and purpose. Participants leave not just refreshed, but transformed into more conscious stewards of our planet. Today, we sit down with the founders to explore how they’ve created this unique sanctuary where strangers become friends and ancient wisdom meets contemporary wellness.
The Nurtured by Nature Retreat: A Revolutionary Approach to Modern Wellness
The Nurtured by Nature Retreat combines ancient healing practices with contemporary wellness science in the Rocky Mountains. This transformative experience offers forest bathing, qigong, sacred rituals, and guided nature immersion to create lasting shifts in well-being. Unlike conventional retreats focused solely on relaxation, the Nurtured by Nature Retreat fosters deep reconnection with the natural world while building genuine community. Through threshold-crossing ceremonies and mandala creation, guests rediscover their authentic selves and develop renewed purpose that extends long after returning home.
Why Ancient Practices Matter in the Nurtured by Nature Retreat Experience
The Nurtured by Nature Retreat integrates time-honored traditions that address what science calls “Nature Deficit Disorder.” Forest bathing strengthens immune function and calms nervous systems, while meditation practices and qigong cultivate daily mindfulness. Facilitators guide participants through meaningful rituals, from threshold crossings marking intentional new beginnings to collaborative mandala creation honoring Earth’s gifts. Participants consistently report feeling accepted and loved, experiencing mental resets, and gaining increased stress resilience. The Nurtured by Nature Retreat delivers life-changing transformation through outdoor immersion and spiritual contemplation: renewed belonging, deeper self-understanding, and lasting commitment to nature connection in daily life.
Finding Inspiration and Healing
Share the inspiration behind the Nurtured by Nature Retreat and how the four of you came together to develop the retreat.
One of our facilitators, Stef Swink, has been a mentor and life coach for over 25 years. Throughout her life, but most especially after the death of her first husband, she found that being outdoors and immersed in nature provided peace, healing, and insights not found anywhere else. Her experience ignited a renewed sense of purpose and revealed the vision for a retreat designed to offer others a safe and sacred opportunity to reconnect with nature in ways that benefit both the person as well as the planet. This inspired idea took shape when she invited three powerful, equally passionate friends to join her in its creation.
The beauty and wonder of the natural world have brought the four of us together. We seek to share our nature experiences for the betterment of society, our planet, and the creatures that call our Earth home. We are inspired to reconnect ourselves and our participants to the pure joy of just being alive!
Engaging with Nature and Each Other, the Ancient Way
I’m particularly intrigued by the “crossing the threshold” ritual you incorporate. There’s something powerful about the idea of ceremonially leaving our everyday world behind to enter sacred space. How does this ancient practice help participants shift their relationship with the Earth, and what have you observed in people as they move through this transformative moment?
We use rituals throughout the retreat to facilitate a feeling of community, belonging, and reverence for the gifts and opportunities that nature provides. A ritual can be as simple as sitting down together for a meal and being grateful for the food provided.
The “crossing the threshold” ritual involves setting an intention and physically stepping across a threshold, portal, or gateway. This can alter our perception and enhance our ability to open to a new or different experience. It provides a point of new beginning, a time to step willingly into the unknown. Rituals such as this help us realize our kinship with the Earth, the elements, and with each other by helping us transition from our day-to-day way of being to a place or feeling of togetherness and oneness with each other and all beings.
Rituals are an ancient practice designed to reawaken us and open our hearts and minds. We have become very distanced from these rituals in recent years. For this reason, participants are intrigued by the process and respectful of it. We see a mental shift, a reverence if you will, for those who have shared in the process as well as for the sacredness of the space and experiences we share.
Qigong seems to be a cornerstone of mornings at the Nurtured by Nature retreat. For someone who’s never practiced this ancient art, can you walk us through what participants might experience during a typical qigong session at the retreat, and why you’ve chosen to make it an integral part of the healing journey.
Think of qigong as a moving meditation – mindful movement combined with focused breathing. It involves slow, simple, flowing movements that help open the body for the purposes of health and spirituality. This morning ritual is a wonderful way to start your day by opening your energy, or “qi,” to the gentle flow of life.
Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing, has gained recognition in recent years, but I suspect your approach draws from something much deeper than the current wellness trends. How do you facilitate genuine connection between participants and the forest environment, and what role does the natural setting play in the overall healing process?
Forest therapy, also referred to as forest bathing or shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan during the 1980s and was endorsed by the government as a measure to address stress and burnout linked to rapid technological advancement. In our world today, the adverse impacts of what has been termed “Nature Deficit Disorder” are increasingly prevalent and widely recognized. Our focus is to provide participants with an opportunity to not only experience the many health benefits of unplugging and becoming present and mindful, but also to feel their interconnectedness with the natural world—to access feelings of reverence, awe, and wonder.
Forest therapy offers many health benefits: it strengthens our immune system, calms our nervous system, and quiets the noise of our overactive mind so we can tap into our intuition. Our facilitated walks through the aspens and pines of the Rocky Mountains provide a gateway to spiritual contemplation, a deeper understanding of ourselves, and a new sense of belonging.
The mandala creation process sounds like it goes far beyond simple artmaking. What does the act of creating these sacred circles represent in the context of your retreat, and how do you guide participants through this deeply personal yet universal practice?
Mandalas are deeply rooted in spiritual traditions around the world. Our mandala ritual involves simply collecting natural objects throughout the retreat and honoring the Earth. The Nurtured by Nature retreat uses mandalas as the closing ritual. This allows us to create something beautiful together to celebrate our shared experiences and connection with each other and nature.
Come with an Open Mind, Leave with an Overflowing Heart
Beyond the individual practices, I’m curious about the cumulative effect of these experiences. What kind of transformation do participants typically report after completing the Nurtured by Nature retreat? Are there specific benefits or shifts in perspective that you consistently witness?
We have been told our retreat experience is “life-changing.” Comments Nurtured by Nature retreat guests have shared include “connectivity,” “feeling accepted and really loved,” “let go of fear,” “embrace life and beauty,” “be totally in the present,” “it was all incredible,” “the laughter, the listening, the depth of conversation,” “loved the rituals,” and “an opportunity to connect and recenter.”
Participants report that the retreat provides a mental, emotional, and physical reset and contributes to a new perspective and increased resilience to stress. Many continue to reap the benefits of their connection with nature by incorporating more outdoor time with mindfulness and meditation practices. It is a joyful thing indeed to witness the inspiration, commitment, and hope people take with them back into their lives!
For someone reading this who feels called to reconnect with nature but might be hesitant about stepping into such an immersive experience, what would you want them to know about what awaits them at the Nurtured by Nature Retreat 2025?
This is a safe, relaxing space to enjoy yourself while connecting with nature in a gorgeous mountain setting among a group of soon-to-be new friends. You will be welcomed, supported, nourished, and nurtured. And although we have a plan for our time together, each person is encouraged to make the experience one that works for them. Consider this retreat a gift to yourself—one that offers an opportunity to reawaken to your true wild nature, a gift that you will take with you for the rest of your life! Join us!
Our readers love to travel to incredible destinations around the globe. Tell us about your favorite place to visit and what makes it so special..Estes Park, Colorado, and nearby Rocky Mountain National Park are favorite destinations for us, as well as for people around the world. The area is a scenic gem located a one-to-two-hour drive from Denver. Estes Park is a mountain paradise with small-town charm, great shopping, and festive events, all nestled in a valley surrounded by the picturesque backdrop of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park, with its abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery, never disappoints. Together, they are truly a national treasure!
If this conversation has stirred something within you—a longing to reconnect with nature, to find deeper meaning, or simply to give yourself the gift of true rest and renewal—perhaps it’s time to consider your own transformative journey. The founders of the Nurtured by Nature Retreat have created more than just a wellness experience; they’ve crafted a pathway back to your authentic self and your place within the natural world. This year’s retreat will be in Estes Park, Colorado in September. Spaces for the retreat are limited, ensuring an intimate, nurturing environment that makes these connections possible. To learn more about upcoming dates and to reserve your spot in this life-changing experience, visit NurturedbyNatureRetreat.
