In-person wellbeing retreats only offered in summer; virtual options offered all year
-Is your mind full and you would rather be mindful?
-Are you looking for an holistic way to improve your well-being.
-Practice self-care with yoga and meditation in a stunning natural environment.
Drawn by the beauty of the land and dazzling bluewater of Endeavour Inlet, Queen Charlotte Sound /Tōtaranui, Debbie is keen to share her brilliant backyard and new off-grid wellness studio with you! Available in the summer only.
Debbie Early, PhD.
Still nicknamed "Nature Girl" by a childhood friend, Debbie’s rural upbringing instilled her love of the natural world and biology. She is fascinated by phytoncides and how botanical fragrances influence our mood and emotions. Debbie is a certified meditation and yoga teacher with a holistic health and bio-medical science background. A life-long learner, she has taught locally and internationally on a variety of wellbeing-related topics and regularly volunteers within her local community. Debbie has previously facilitated numerous restorative experiences including Mindfulness in Nature Hikes (Governor Dick, USA) and local and International, public and private retreats. Debbie recognizes the healing power of nature in her own life and that of others. She believes it is critical to care for our environment. Over the last 20 years Debbie has supported the planting of more than 2000 trees globally and, for over 15 years, she has supported an organization overseas which cares for orphaned and abandoned children. She currently lives off-grid on the Queen Charlotte Track. Learn more.
"You have a very calming voice. It was very easy to listen and to follow your instruction!"
"So glad I came and tried this!"
More Testimonials.
"Ka hinga atu he tete-kura - ka hara-mai he tete-kura"
~ "As one fern frond dies - one is born to take it's place".
The Bluewater Blog (2021-present; Aotearoa/New Zealand)
Lecturer, Mindful Nature Connection (2020-present; Mental Health Program, Australia)
Listen to Nature's Tonic (Earth Day 2020; Journal on Biophilic Design, Argenta Wellness, UK)
Fragrance From the Forest (2019; In My Nature, Australia)
Program Highlights and Gifts from Nature (Fall and Winter 2018; The Natural Observer Governor Dick Environmental News, USA)
Can Tree Essential Oils be used for Stress Relief? (2018; Clinical Aromatherapy Exam Paper, Canada)
Various topics including Medicinal Herbs and Shinrin-yoku (2016; The Herbarium, USA)
Glimpses of Medicinal Botanics.
A Journey to Machu Picchu from Puerto Maldonado
(2008; Edited by Upton, M)
"Debbie Early has provided an excellent feel for the wonderment and magic of the rain forest to the Andes of Peru."
~ Jerry Cott PhD - Scientific Advisory Board American Botanical Council
"A nicely written personal account of a travelers first trip to the rainforests and mountains of Peru. Deborah captures the variety of rich cultures and natural beauties experienced by visitors. Her words embody the sights, sounds, and smells of her experience and portray both the pleasures and challenges of her travels to the reader. An enjoyable read of Deborah's transformative experience."
~ Joseph Bishop PhD - Landscape Ecologist, Penn State University and Chair, of the Science and Education Advisory Committee of the ACEER (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research) Foundation.
Walking for Eco and Human Well-being
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity” ~ John Muir
When did you last stop to feel the warmth of the sun on your face or to listen to the silence of snow? Increasing urbanization, job pressures, and “techno-stress” have isolated people from the outdoors and resulted in an overly stressed, nature deficient society which is detached from the potential calming effects of nature (Miyazaki, et al., 2014) also known as Vitamin N (Louv, 2016). Nature reconnection practices include, but are not limited to, forest therapy, wilderness therapy, and outdoor meditation (Liebeck, 2016). Many of these practices recognize that human wellbeing is a blend of mental, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental factors; humans are part of the web of life and contact with nature is psychotherapeutic (Pierce, 2010). According to Lee, et al., 2012, sedentary, stressful lifestyle-related health problems are of concern in all developed countries, but they suggest that forests may be an antidote to stress promoting healthier lifestyles and improved mental health in urbanized societies.
Our top tips for reversing nature deficit disorder:
* Spend time (2-3 hours) outside a week.
* Grow potted plants for your home office and home space.
* Exercise outdoors.
* Connect with nature around you, even if you are looking out a window.
It is likely you will then start to experience benefits such as:
* Boosted immune system
* Improved sleep
* Decreased anxiety
If you do walk outside, enjoy a mindful walk breathing in the fresh spring air, listening to the noise around you, and watching the clouds in the sky. A simple, mindful walk such as this could be extremely beneficial to our health and wellbeing, especially in today’s rapidly changing and sometimes disorientating world. Keep an eye on our events pages for details of spring and summer guided walks which will help you reconnect with nature. ~Debbie.
Lee, J., Li, Q., Tyrväinen, L., Tsunetsugu, Y., Park, B.J., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2012). Nature therapy and preventive medicine, in Public Health-Social and Behavioral Health, J. Maddock, (Ed.) 16, 325–350, Rijeka, Croatia: In Tech. Liebeck, C. (2016). Alternative Healing, A Walk in the Forest.Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Retrieved on March 10, 2018 from https://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/alternative-healing-walkforest Louv, R. (2016). Vitamin N: The essential guide to a nature rich life. Algonquin Books, New York. Miyazaki, Y., Ikei, H., Song, C. (2014). Forest medicine research in Japan. Nihon EiseigakuZasshi, 69(2), 122-35. Pierce, G. (2010). Ecotherapy, health counseling: application and theory. Nelson Education Ltd. Ontario, Canada.
(A previous version of this article was published in the Natural Observer Governor Dick Environmental News, 2018.)
It's been a tough year for many affected by the pandemic lock-downs. Reduce stress during your work day. This, Jan. 2020, pre-recorded introductory mindfulness session is suitable for the individual looking to practice mindfulness with learning from others. You will learn skills that can increase your ability to: • Cope with stress and life challenges • Calmly deal with unsettling events • Be fully present and more focused. 1 hour, price is per person. Link to streaming video will be sent upon receipt of payment.
Disclaimer: The Art of Awareness is not responsible for any injury or illness from participation in any of our programs. Before starting any exercise program, you should speak to your doctor. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. Mindfulness meditation may not be suitable for all people and may present risks, including risks to persons experiencing trauma or PTSD. By signing up for an in-person or online class you assume full responsibility for any risks or injuries incurred as a result of participation in the class and waive any claim against The Art of Awareness for injuries or damages.
Minimum of 4 attendees required to run workshops. Facilitator transport costs may apply depending on selected workshop location.
Help your team manage stress! Debbie has facilitated mindfulness groups at schools, offices, retreat centers and homes across Australia,, the USA and Aotearoa/New Zealand. (Minimum group number of 4)
"..highly recommend..really helped me in my daily life....!" ~attendee (Mindfulness for Stress Relief seminar)
Being outside reduces stress! Hear what current nature immersion research is showing and undertake a walk engaging your senses. Debbie has facilitated groups at schools, offices, retreat centers and homes across the USA and Aotearoa/New Zealand. (Minimum group number of 4)
Do you love gardening? Learn about the history of growing and using medicinal botaincs. Debbie, a certified herbalist, worked for a small, USA, woman-owned artisanal tea blending business creating healthy, fragrant and uplifting tea blends. She has also been a contributor to The Herbal Academy's Herbarium. She draws from these experiences and those from experiences with her backyards; previously overseas and currently in Endeavour Inlet.
A fun team activity! Create your own aromatherapy and botanical perfume. Debbie was the creator of Chester County’s (USA) first and only artisanal scent bar and has facilitated various olfactory art events at both Historic Yellow Springs in Chester County and Mt Gretna in Lebanon County in the USA. She has also presented to the Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America, and was part of USTyler Arboretums Lilac Sunday in 2016. Other venues include church groups, florists & private homes.
Minimum of 4 attendees required to run series. Facilitator transport costs may apply depending on selected series location.
Improve your team's well-being. This can be delivered as a half-day series or once a week across 4 weeks. Debbie has facilitated mindfulness groups at schools, offices retreat centers and homes across the USA, Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Please contact Debbie (tel: 06 880 0026) for more information and to discuss your specific needs.
Prices subject to change without prior notification. Signed waiver required for events,
"I treasure those peaceful moments spent in your class"
“With gratitude and admiration for you, for your exceptional talents and your inspiring gifts that you share so astutely!”
"I enjoyed the small group setting!"
"..highly recommend..."
"I've been looking for something like this!" Watch more
Working with people in a private, or small group setting can make a significant difference to the mindfulness class or retreat attendee. This allows for the opportunity for exploration, with awareness, leading towards holistic integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Kia ora,
Busy lives means busy minds. Are you looking to:
You've come to the right place! I serve:
Throughout my whole life, the natural world has been a source of joy and inspiration, challenge and invigoration, a reminder of humility and has also sustained me through dark and difficult days. I've always loved gardens and libraries! As a child my favourite spot was barefoot up a tree, with a book and a couple of green apples. After eating the apples, I'd toss the cores to the horses below. I loved the dappled light between the mottled leaves, the cool breeze, the sanctuary and seclusion of the tree and the scent of the horses!
This connection with, and love of, the natural world nurtured by my late parents, has lead to years of formal academic training and immersive nature exploration.
What do I offer?
I look forward to meeting you soon. ~ Debbie
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Disclaimer - The information on this website is provided as education and should not be used as a substitute for medical counseling with a health professional. Participants take full responsibility for their own participation in events and classes.
One Woman's Biophilic Journey of Belonging, Wellbeing and Transformation with a Path towards Adapting to Change
LAUNCHED 8 MARCH 2024 on
International Women's Day