Late winter moves quietly, carrying a soft, almost imperceptible promise.
The light stretches a little further each day, the air shifts in subtle rhythms, and beneath the stillness, the land begins to stir. Imbolc—the threshold between winter and spring—calls us to notice these gentle awakenings and to open to what is quietly emerging within and around us.

This month, we are honored to walk with Kristin Hotchkiss, a Certified Yoga Instructor and Kripalu-trained Mindful Outdoor Guide. Kristin’s approach blends gentle, flowing movement with attentive presence in nature—an invitation to meet the land through breath, soft stretches, and grounded awareness. Her guidance encourages curiosity, receptivity, and a deep, quiet connection with the living world around us.

This walk is an invitation to slow, soften, and inhabit the space between seasons.
We will gather at Racebrook Tract, a landscape of over 400 acres spanning Orange and Woodbridge, where winding stream belts, old forests, wetlands, meadows, and brushland create a rich tapestry of life. This protected corridor extends to the Maltby Lakes, offering sanctuary to a wide array of wildlife. Reptiles and amphibians thrive here, and—if we are fortunate—we may glimpse the silent sweep of a Great-horned Owl among the trees.

As the earth makes its gradual turn toward spring, the soil loosens, water stirs beneath fallen leaves, and the first birdsong threads the air. Together, we pause with reverence—honoring the Indigenous stewards who tended this land long before us—and open ourselves to the subtle wisdom these woods continue to offer.

Our Time Together Includes:

Opening circle with gentle grounding meditation
We begin by settling into our bodies and into the forest itself—attuning to breath, presence, and the quiet rhythms of the land.

A series of sensory invitations
Slow, mindful explorations that awaken our senses to the textures, scents, sounds, and subtle energies of the woods.

Periods of silence and reflection
Unhurried stretches of quiet that allow us to notice the forest’s movements—and the tender shifts within our own inner landscape.

Guided sit spot or meditation, with optional journaling
A spacious pause to witness and engage with the forest on your own terms, whether through stillness, observation, or writing.

Gentle yoga movement
Optional, intuitive yoga movement and stretches offered by Kristin throughout the walk, supporting deeper breath, warmth, and attunement as the land slowly unfolds around us.

Closing circle for reflections
We end by gathering softly in community, honoring what arose during our time together. Sharing is always optional; the space is held with care, listening, and connection.

This walk is for women who long to inhabit quiet presence, move gently with breath and body, and attune to the tender unfolding of the season.

Investment: $50 per participant
Duration: Approximately 2½ hours
Group size: Limited to 8 women

This small, intimate gathering offers time to move slowly, breathe deeply, and engage fully with the forest, body, and reflective practices.

About Your Guide, Kristin Hotchkiss

A 200-hour registered yoga instructor with nearly two decades of teaching experience in Connecticut, Kristin is also a certified Mindful Outdoor Guide through the Kripalu School of Outdoor Leadership. Her background in public health, her lifelong relationship with plants, and her deep love of the outdoors shape her belief that real wellness arises when we reconnect with what supports us: body, mind, nature, and the quiet wisdom of the land.

Her herbal work began at home—simple remedies, kitchen herbs, and plant allies woven into daily life—and eventually deepened into formal study with the Herbal Academy of Herbal Arts and Sciences and Twin Star Herbal Education in New Milford, Connecticut. This plant-centered knowledge now enriches the way she guides others, whether through nature-based practices, small-batch herbal support, or gentle educational offerings.

Kristin leads yoga, forest bathing walks, and mindfulness-based nature experiences designed to bring the body and mind back into balance. Her approach blends soft, intuitive movement with breathwork and the restorative rhythm of the natural world, helping others feel calm, centered, and at ease—both on and off the mat.

Yoga, time outdoors, and plant work have long been anchors in her own life, offering clarity, resilience, and steadiness through challenge. Her purpose now is to share those tools with others, creating spaces where people can pause, reconnect, and belong. Whether you join her in the forest or on the mat, Kristin hopes you leave feeling rooted, aligned, and renewed.

What to Bring

• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or boots

• Warm, layered clothing (thermal base layers, fleece or wool, insulated outer layer)

• Hat, gloves/mittens, and warm socks

• Weather-appropriate outerwear (coat, scarf, waterproof options if conditions are damp)

• Something light to sit on (foldable pad, blanket, or small insulated sit-spot)

• A thermos with warm tea (optional but lovely for winter walks)

• Journal and pen (optional, for the sit spot portion)