Hike+Heal with FOW’s Wellness Consultant, Brandi Aulston
Venturing out into the great outdoors alone can be intimidating. Seized from the familiarity of our homes, where we are surrounded by our daily comforts, and into the unconstrained nature of the outdoors.
But you don’t have to go out there alone.
Hike+Heal, founded by Brandi Aulston MHA/MHE in 2019, was designed to bring a sense of comfort and community to women seeking to expand their horizons and stray from the monotony of their daily routines. No hiking experience is needed; putting aside the time to value your own personal wellness is the first and most crucial step.
Brandi believes in the healing power of hiking and has committed herself to providing greater access for a diverse community of women, whom she fondly refers to as the hive or her hunnies. Hike+Heal has fostered the health of its hive with healing hikes and retreats that serve as an opportunity for hive members to meet and make connections.
FOW is proud to have Brandi as our Wellness Consultant and to continue a partnership with Hike+Heal. One of the many perks of our partnership is our series of family-friendly wellness hikes! The next installment is on July 29, which will feature a hike around the Andorra Natural Area in the Wissahickon. Sign up here.
We’ll use this time to renew with interactive exercises, mindfulness practices, and of course, an exploration of our favorite park.
In a 2021 interview with Brandi, she gave us a peek into her work as a wellness entrepreneur and some of her pathways to healing.
“A typical ninety-minute to two-hour hike begins with warming up and intention setting, with a ‘mindfulness break’ of stretching and reflection at the halfway point. Brandi likes to integrate healing modalities into her hikes, so on any given day there could be meditation, guided journaling, release rituals, or even drum circles. ‘In the “hive,” working out is more than just a physical activity. It’s a chance to process and share whatever may be weighing you down in a calming, supportive, restorative environment,’ said Aulston. ‘I love to see participants get their hike-hive glow—a glow from within that you can see from the outside.’” Check out the full interview here.
It’s easy to get swallowed up by the turbulence of life and all our responsibilities. Come unwind with the Hive and FOW on July 29.