ReWilding
What is Eco ReWilding?
ReWilding generally refers to a worldwide conservation effort aimed at restoring and protecting natural processes and core wilderness areas. Eco ReWilding applies the same concept to humans, it aims to help people get back to basics, let go of excess and tap back into the things that are genuinely important to life – your wild self. Desmond Morris, zoologist and author of The Naked Ape (1967) made reference to humans living in cities and towns not as living in ‘concrete jungles’, but concrete zoos.
As a species the majority of us have become so disconnected from nature, we work in artificial conditions, consume artificial food and drink, and often prefer to communicate artificially too. What happens externally is often a reflection of what is present internally. Most of us spend a great deal of time in our minds and less time in our bodies. Our bodies don’t lie to us, they may be trying to tell us to slow down, change jobs, eat better, take care of ourselves, walk in nature etc. Often we ignore these messages as we feel we can’t make time or changes so often disconnect so we can continue as before. Messages from our body often get louder until we are forced to listen.
What is Equine ReWilding?
Equine ReWilding taps into the wisdom of the herd and how they connect with nature to help us connect back to our own inner wisdom to do the same. Equines as a prey species have evolved to pick up on subtle energies of members in their herd and of predators in the area. They know if a predator has the intention of hunting in that moment or not. Domesticated horses that are ‘rewilded’ – kept as naturally as possible, allowed to have a voice, time and space to be a horse and a member of the herd are able to tap into this wild collective wisdom. Spending time in the herd and within nature reminds us about our own.
The therapeutic relationship with an equine ally is similar to Gestalt Counselling Therapy in as much as horses encourage us to be in the ‘Here and Now’, and being present is both comforting and grounding. Communication and connection comes through body language, thoughts and energy. Equines can pick this all up and they challenge incongruence; if they detect something hidden on the inside being masked on the outside. Depending on your awareness, they can present the hidden by acting it out for you to see or feel; or they stand close to you to gently bring the hidden out to the surface which often involves tears and letting go.
Who is Equine and Eco ReWilding for?
Paintedhorse work with adults and young persons on a one-to-one basis, and with groups for looking at relationships and/or team building useful for employers looking to maximise their teams potential.
What are the benefits of ReWilding?
- Letting go of limiting beliefs/behaviours
- Learning the art of clear and effective communication
- Learning how to say no easily and effectively & other boundary work
- Developing self worth and self trust or self esteem
- Developing confidence or courage to make decisions
- Personal development
- Learning to love your shadow self
- Challenge to conditions enforced by circumstances or surroundings
How much are ReWilding Sessions?
Cost depends on the individual, pair or group. The following is a rough guide to pricing:
- Taster Sessions, 2 hours – £25 (small group)
- Individual Sessions, 1.5 – 2 hours – £80.
- Pair work Sessions, 1.5 – 2 hours – £45 each.
- Small Group Work, approx. 3 hours – £40 each.
- For larger groups costs depend upon staff required to host safely and therapeutically, and upon catering requirements.
Please contact us about grants and funding.
How many sessions will I need?
How many sessions depends on what you would like to explore. Sessions can be designed as a stand alone, to complement ongoing counselling therapy now and again or a structured and creative programme designed to meet individual needs. If you wish to explore a particular issue or topic in your life such as childhood scripts, relationships, ‘games we play’, suppressed emotions such as anger, sadness, fear and so on, we recommend 6-8 individual sessions. We are client centred so the length of an agreed programme can be regularly reviewed as it progresses.
