Group Mindfulness Hikes
Healing through movement, connection, and the wisdom of nature
At Roots to Branches Soul Studio in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, healing is more than a concept; it’s something you feel when you move, breathe, and connect in community. Our Group Mindfulness Hikes, led by Therese Daniels, LPC, CNIT, invite you to experience that kind of healing in its most natural form.
A few times a week, Therese gathers participants at the Nature Trail at Haverford College Arboretum for a guided group walk rooted in mindfulness, connection, and reflection. Each hike explores a different theme, such as The Five Senses in Nature, Releasing in Nature, or Silence in Nature. Together, we slow down, tune in, and rediscover the deep calm that comes from being fully present outdoors.
These hikes are not clinical sessions or strenuous treks. They’re open, welcoming experiences designed for anyone seeking calm, clarity, and community. Whether you’re drawn by a love of nature, a desire for connection, or the need to pause and breathe, you’ll find a space here that honors exactly where you are.
Why nature heals
In a world that often feels loud, fast, and overstimulating, nature offers a kind of medicine no screen or routine can replicate. The gentle rhythm of walking, the quiet of the woods, the grounding scent of soil and leaves, invites your nervous system to settle and your mind to soften.
Therese created these group mindfulness hikes to help people reconnect with the healing rhythms of the natural world. You don’t have to “be good at” meditation or hiking. You just have to show up and be willing to walk with awareness.
Each session weaves together mindful movement, gentle guidance, and shared reflection. You’ll explore what it means to be fully present in your surroundings and within yourself. Over time, these walks can reduce stress, increase focus, and help you feel more rooted and alive
"We too, like trees, can shake off our dead leaves and begin again." - A.Y. Greyson
What happens during a mindfulness hike
Each weekly hike lasts about an hour and takes place on the serene trails of the Haverford College Arboretum, just minutes from the studio in Ardmore, and easily accessible from Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Narberth, and the Main Line.
The experience is intentionally designed to be inclusive, slow-paced, and nourishing for mind, body, spirit, and soul.
Gathering and Grounding
Participants meet at the trail entrance, where Therese welcomes the group and introduces the theme for the day. Each hike begins with a short grounding exercise, intention setting with optional journaling, perhaps a breath awareness practice, or a moment of stillness to help you arrive fully in the present moment.
Walking with intention
The group then begins a gentle, mindful walk. These are nature walks, not fitness hikes; the pace is relaxed and appropriate for most fitness levels. As you walk, Therese invites you to tune into your senses: the feeling of the earth beneath your feet, the sound of birds, the movement of air against your skin.
Themes will guide the reflections. On a “Five Senses” hike, you might pause to notice the scent of pine or the texture of bark beneath your fingertips. On a “Silence in Nature” walk, you may explore how stillness can create inner spaciousness.
Reflection and connection
At various points, Therese invites brief group discussions or moments of quiet sharing. You can speak if you wish or simply listen and reflect. Each person’s experience is respected, and there’s no pressure to contribute. The focus is on authentic connection, both with others and within yourself.
Through this gentle balance of walking, listening, and sharing, participants often find insight, perspective, connection, and a renewed sense of peace.
Closing and integration
Toward the end of the hike, the group gathers for a short closing reflection. Therese may offer a grounding practice or an invitation to carry a particular intention into the week ahead. You’ll leave with a clearer mind, a calmer body, and a deeper connection to the world around you.
Themes that inspire reflection
Each hike centers around a new theme that opens space for mindful awareness and personal growth.
Some past and upcoming themes include:
The Five Senses in Nature
Awakening presence through sensory exploration.
Releasing in Nature
Letting go of what no longer serves you.
Silence in Nature
Discovering peace in quiet awareness.
Rooted and Grounded
Cultivating stability and inner strength.
Seasons of Change
Embracing transition with grace.
Re-Earthing
True grounding, barefoot in the grass fields along the trails.
Who these walks are for
These mindfulness hikes are open to everyone; no meditation background or fitness level is required. You might be drawn to them if you’re:
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Seeking connection in a world that often feels disconnected
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Navigating change or transition, whether external or emotional
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Feeling stressed or overwhelmed by daily life
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Longing to reconnect with your body and nature
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Curious about mindfulness but unsure where to begin
Many participants describe the hikes as “a breath of fresh air” in every sense. They offer a rare chance to be around others without expectations or pressure, to simply walk together, share space, and feel supported.
Therese thoughtfully curates each group to create a safe and comfortable environment. The result is a diverse, compassionate community where everyone belongs.
The benefits of walking mindfully in nature
Mental clarity and calm
Walking clears the mental fog and opens space for insight. The simple act of moving rhythmically helps untangle thoughts, creating room for clarity and perspective.
Emotional regulation and nervous system balance
Nature helps regulate your nervous system, easing the fight-or-flight response that so many of us live in daily. The combination of movement, mindful awareness, and connection with others supports emotional balance and calm.
Physical and chemical benefits
Mindful walking releases endorphins, boosts energy, and lowers stress hormones like cortisol.
Fun fact: The trees along the trails and all trees) release calming compounds called phytoncides, airbourne chemicals such as limonene, that boost human immune function and reduce stress. After the walk, you will leave feeling refreshed, energized, but grounded, awake but calm.
Connection and belonging
Perhaps the greatest gift of these hikes is the reminder that we’re not alone. Walking together in nature fosters a sense of shared humanity. When you witness others’ stories and share your own, isolation fades, replaced by community and compassion.
Long-term resilience
Over time, consistent mindfulness practice strengthens your prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for focus, decision-making, and emotional regulation. This means real, lasting changes in how you handle stress, communicate, and care for yourself.
Preparing for your first hike
If you’re joining a hike for the first time, here’s what to know:
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When: Weekly sessions, typically lasting around 60-75 minutes
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Where: The Nature Trail at Haverford College Arboretum
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What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water, and layers appropriate for the weather
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Accessibility: The pace is gentle and suitable for most fitness levels
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Commitment: Attend as often as you like; each hike stands on its own
These walks are drop-in and open to the community. Many participants come once to experience something new; others return each week to deepen their practice and connection.
The healing power of community and nature
Therese often says that nature is the most honest therapist. The trees don’t judge. The wind doesn’t rush. The earth welcomes every step.
When you walk in nature with others, something shifts inside. You remember that you belong to the earth, to the community, to yourself. The worries that felt heavy begin to lighten, replaced by the rhythm of your footsteps and the steady comfort of shared silence.
Every hike ends with smiles, lighter shoulders, and a renewed sense of peace. Participants often leave saying they feel both grounded and lifted, a rare combination that speaks to the heart of what these walks are about.
Join a mindfulness hike in Ardmore, PA
If you’ve been craving time outdoors, meaningful conversation, or a simple way to reconnect with yourself, this is your invitation.
Join Therese Daniels for a Group Mindfulness Hike with Roots to Branches Soul Studio and discover how movement, mindfulness, and community can help you find balance again.
To learn about upcoming hike dates and themes, fill out the contact form to be notified about future sessions.
You don’t need to prepare or know what to say. You just need to show up, take a deep breath, and start walking.
Healing happens here, in community, in movement, and in nature.
Therese Daniels is a licensed professional counselor and certified nature-informed therapist who believes in the healing power of nature, mindfulness, and community. Her gentle, grounded approach helps participants feel safe, supported, and seen.
Through her work at Roots to Branches Soul Studio, Therese creates spaces where people can explore growth and healing in authentic, accessible ways. The Group Mindfulness Hikes are one of her most beloved offerings, bridging her background in mental health with her passion for nature and connection.
Therese’s presence on each walk is both calming and encouraging. She guides with intention but allows space for spontaneity and organic conversation. Her philosophy is simple: healing happens when we move, breathe, and share space together in nature.