Minnesota Events:
September 27, 2026:  Autumn Awakening:  Reconnect with Nature Through Your Senses, At & Movement

Mini Nature Retreat:  10:00 am-3:00 pm.   This event is held  in partnership with City of Lakeville, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Department will be held at the Ed Macko Environmental Center at Ritter Park.  Details and registration can be found here: REGISTER

Iowa Events:

Events in Iowa are held at our acreage 406 Mayapple Lane, Boone, IA, just 6 miles north of Boone off of Nature Road.  It property includes a cabin with meeting spaces and 10 acres of reconstructed prairie, woodlands and wetland. Poor Farm Creek runs through the property.  There is plenty of open space with hiking trails.  A creative labyrinth is also connected to the trail system.

Space is limited to keep these as unique experiences.  Participants are age 16 and older.

Want to Participate in all of the events listed below for the day and want to have lunch provided?  REGISTER for LUNCH

June 13, 2026:  EVENT COMPLETED

Woodland and Prairie Meditation Walk (Forest Bathing):  10:30 am- 12:00 pm. REGISTER

Pat Sauer will lead forest bathing meditation exercises (NO bathing involved) around the hiking trails on the RootWise property.  Forest Bathing known in Japan as shinrin-yoku, is a mindful practice of spending time outdoors in a forest.  It involves immersing one's senses in nature to promote well-being and a deeper connection to the nature.  This practice helps one slow down, reduce stress, and improve wellbeing. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor walking.

Painting Landscapes with Laurie:  1:00-3:00 pm. REGISTER

Local artist Laurie Hoifeldt will lead a fun, relaxed landscape painting class.  In just two hours, you’ll create your very own painting—no experience needed. You just need to show up and be open to a little creativity and a lot of fun.

Here’s what we’ll do:  Relax and play; Get paint on the canvas right away and let the magic begin; Choose your inspiration from the  beautiful scenery in front of you or paint what speaks to you; Keep it simple by breaking down the landscape into easy sections; Learn a few helpful tricks; Watch your painting come to life; and The best part is you will leave with a painting you made yourself.

It’s fun, a little magical, and you might just surprise yourself. All painting supplies are provided!

Summer Reawakening Through a Sound Bath:  3:30-5:00 pm. REGISTER

Instructor Ruthann O'Brien Hadish, Integrative yoga therapist, certified Meditation Instructor and Energy healing practitioner will lead a healing sound bath experience. In this practice, you will be guided into a lovely state of deep relaxation with a soothing sound bath experience and guided meditation. Waves of sound from crystal singing bowls, chimes, and other healing instruments will balance the nervous system. The guided meditation will invite you into a deep state of healing and restoration.This is an experiential practice which allows you to "just be" in shavasana as you rest and receive the healing benefits on all levels of your being.

In addition, a deep restorative yoga nidra practice, a guided withdrawal of senses from outer to the inner world will lead us into meditative consciousness. The practice inspires a relaxed awareness of the vitality and contentment within. healing bowls, chimes, and other instruments will balance the nervous system through this meditative practice.  Custom aromatherapy inhalers will be provided to enhance the restorative experience.

Full Event Experience:  10:30 am-5:00 pm. REGISTER

The full experience includes:  Forest bathing, landscape painting, sound bath, and lunch.  Full descriptions are provided above.  A discount is given to participate in all events.

Additional Experiences

Come early and stay after the events to enjoy the hiking trails and labyrinth before you depart RootWise Environmental’s acreage.

June 27, 2026: REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Presenter Profiles

FUTURE FEATURED PRESENTERS:

Tom Sauer is a professional soil scientist and forester that has had a long interest in environmental ethics and the history of science, leading professional committees on these topics nationally and internationally. He is now combining these interests with spirituality to become a contemplative environmentalist.

Pat Sauer has a deep connection with nature as an urban soil scientist and is passionate about creating natural landscapes in urban areas.  She has completed training on mindfulness-meditation and is certified in forest bathing.  Pat is excited to use her 25 years of experience in organizing nature-based technical training to focus more on organizing workshops that integrate nature into personal healing experiences through such activities as reflection, art, yoga, and prose.

Laurie Hoifeldt grew up immersed in the outdoors, thanks to parents who loved nature and passed that love on to her. Laurie’s  paintings—of wildlife, landscapes, and seascapes—are rooted in that early connection. Through color and light, she tries to capture not just the beauty of the natural world, but the sense of peace and belonging it offers. She believes art is a powerful way to deepen our relationship with nature, and she loves helping others tap into their creativity to express what they see, feel, and remember in the natural world. Laurie’s business:  Hoifeldt Fine Art.

Ruthann O’Brien Hadish, Integrative yoga therapist, certified Meditation instructor and Energy healing  practitioner, established Ames Yoga Center in 1998 and has been teaching and offering healing services in groups and with individuals for over 28 years. Ruthann specializes in individual therapy including trauma-release and restorative energy therapy.

Sara Klute Behn as a Certified Yoga Therapist (IAYT), Board-Certified Master's Level Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional (DipACLM), is passionate about empowering individuals to embrace healthier, more fulfilling lives. With a passion for integrative health and holistic well-being, Sara offers personalized coaching that empowers clients to connect with their inner wisdom, align with their values, and reach their life goals.