The adventures in Forres

"Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving." — Terry Pratchett (an English humorist, satirist, and author of fantasy novels)

As you know I am part of the Moc Kobiet project which serves to connect the Polish community and helps women to work on their self-development and self-esteem. We organise many different events and workshops, business networking and retreats. In 2019 we started something new… We went for an adventure! Yes! An adventure in the incredible Scottish town of Forres.

Forres is a beautiful but very small former royal town located in northern Scotland on the Moray coast, about 40 km east of Inverness and 19 km west of Elgin. Here we find many historical artefacts, monuments and flower decorations.

During our trip, we discovered the magic of a small cottage with a cosy fireplace, a relaxing swing under the sky and beautiful views of the Highlands hills. The morning greeted us with warm light, the day surprised us with a delicate rainy mist and a colourful rainbow, while the evening revealed the mystery hidden in the hearts of adventurous women.

We walked for miles and miles around the area and admired the scenery. We had a barbecue; delicious salads and, I must say, quite a good wine. We were relaxed, delighted with the place and curious about what would happen next!

Shinrin-yoku

On the second day, after morning yoga, we went to the woods for some experience of forest bathing. Forest bathing or ‘shinrin-yoku’ was first developed in Japan and it can be a magical experience. It is found that trees releases chemicals called phytoncides, which have an anti-microbial effect on human bodies, boosting the immune system. As Moc Kobiet, we want to use this incredible feature of the trees to help our communities rise and shine. That is why we came to Forres!

Here, we were working with conscious breathing, magnificent healing sounds, as well as the magic of silence, tree hugging and talking with the Divine. We listened toYoga Nidra and the vibrations of the Tibetan bowls. It was an experience of true mindfulness. It was also fascinating for me as I kept observing everyone in their meditative state, allowing the healing process to take place. It was an important part of the whole experience as we finished the day with a very emotional drawing and revealing workshop. It is amazing what you can find out about yourself if you only open up the space for this invigorating inner process; I will write more about this later .

We also managed to visit Duncan's castle where we walked barefoot on the dewy grass. Such walks have a powerful health effect on the body, which is largely due to the impact of electrons flowing from the ground. The perfect energy-recharging treatment for our wonderful women who became the goddesses of Forres.

Justa