Join us to celebrate Earth Day through a series of outdoor activities scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Full day’s schedule:

10-11 | Yoga on the College Lawn with Jennifer Neill

11-12 | Picnic Lunch (Boxed lunches or BYO picnic)

12-2 | Forest Bathing with Lori Carter

Yoga on the College Lawn with Jennifer Neill

The day begins at 10:00 am with Yoga on the lawn of the Historic Cane Hill College, located at 14219 College Rd.

This outdoor yoga session will be led by certified personal trainer Jennifer Neill. Jennifer is the director of fitness and wellness at Butterfield Trail Village retirement community. This one-hour session is open to all ages and experience levels.

Attendance is free, but registration is required.
(https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/historiccanehill/earth-day-celebration)

Participants should bring their own mats.

Picnic Lunch (Boxed lunches or BYO picnic)
After yoga, plan to stay for a picnic lunch before joining us on a Forest Bathing Hike. Participants may bring their own lunch or reserve a boxed lunch. Lunch reservations may be purchased through the same link as yoga registration. The cutoff for lunch reservations is April 15.

Forest Bathing with Lori Carter
At noon, join certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide Lori Carter for a two-hour “Forest Bathing” session.

Forest Bathing is a therapeutic, meditative practice that involves slow, intentional immersion in a natural setting. According to a National Geographic article, the term emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”). The purpose was twofold: to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests. Studies have proven spending time immersed in forest environments reduces stress, boosts mental well-being, and enhances overall health.

“As the natural beauty of Cane Hill merges with its rich history, we invite guests to immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of this historic location for a Forest Bathing session and outdoor yoga,” said executive director Vanessa McKuin.

Surrounded by the beauty of towering trees and echoes of the past, participants will have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Historic Cane Hill’s trail system in a deep and intentional way.

The group will engage in a slow, deliberate walk, paying attention to the sights, sounds and sensations of the forest as you are given prompts or “invitations” to help foster this connection.

The time together will conclude with a tea gathering to celebrate time together and with the land.

Attendance is free, but registration is required and the number of spaces available is limited to 12, so early registration is encouraged. A waitlist will be available if interest exceeds available space.
(https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/historiccanehill/earth-day-celebration)

About the facilitators:

Yoga Instructor Jennifer Neill
Jennifer is the director of fitness and wellness at Butterfield Trail Village retirement community. She offers residents one-on-one personal training, water aerobics, hiking excursions, regular lectures and daily exercise classes.

Active in the community, Jennifer hosted the “Get Healthy Arkansas” show on KFAY-AM radio; co-designed the “Always Fit Challenge” weight loss competition with KNWA-TV, and co-created an integrative medical program for HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Communications from the University of Arkansas.