Sustenance Bridget Holtom

A super short and sweet and to be honest very impromptu musing on the reciprocal relationship between plants and those that choose to tend them.

Thanks to Rosanna Morris and the Land Workers Alliance for their incredible activism and generous permission to share their images for this show.

This episode is an introduction into foraging and herbal medicine.

An introduction from someone who is still humbly learning what she can from her grandparents, from elders, authors, teachers, peers and from the plants themselves.

There is so much life at our feet. So many wild, edible things to nibble on in the woods. And so much to be curious about. Medicine. Stories. Medicine stories.

Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses.

The scientific benefits of this practice and related so-called nature connection practices are well-researched and described in many good books and papers on the subject in the resources section on the website. The episode itself invites you to find out for yourself how transformative a more immersive approach can be, one which embraces embodied experiences, either in groups or alone, in woods and forests near you. Go find the nature in you. Connect with the wild inside and out. Basically, go hug a tree. I dare you.

These are the practices included in this episode:


Sensory Storytelling
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Sensory Awareness
Owl Eyes, Deer Ears, Fox Footsteps
Sit Spot
The World As Animate

a note of care…

…this episode contains a reference to some of the dangers of being out in the woods alone, for some more than others of us. It comes with a content note, because there are stories of sexual assault and racism…

and a wee blessing…

…may we be good ancestors, making it safer for our daughters to enjoy the freedom of forests undisturbed…may we be good relations, by leaving our forests more beautiful for the more-than-human-beings that also call them home and may we grow into relationship with a particular spot on this planet, may we care for it, let it care for us, and show us how to steward and be of service to the earth and all its critters around us…

Three simple grounding practices to self-soothe, reduce symptoms of panic and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. These tools may be helpful for yourself or to share with others by showing someone you care for how to calm themselves down and return to their bodies at a distance. You can skip forward 5 minutes for breathing practices. Skip to 8 minutes for switching and finally skip 10 minutes in for a short, accessible activity called 5,4,3,2,1!

Capacitar is a collection of movement, breathing and acupressure practices that aim to reconnect people with their own wisdom and capacity. It is designed to help people heal from trauma and to find the courage to challenge oppressive systems and come together in a spirit of empowerment.

Capacitar Tai Chi simplifies some of the most basic movements from traditional Tai Chi and shares them through popular education to make them accessible and memorable.

I want to acknowledge all the traditions and teachers that have contributed to the development of Capacitar. May these practices continue to help those who have become disconnected to their bodies and breath to reconnect to the wisdom and medicine in the land and culture from which they come from.

This episode is about 1 hour and you will need loose clothing and enough space to move your arms around in all directions. You may want to light a candle or set an intention at your altar before you begin. Enjoy!

Water is sacred. Water is life. Water sustains us. What if we gave our lives to the life-giving source that sustains us? What if we gave our blood, sweat and tears to protect our rivers, lakes and oceans?

Many people have a relationship with water that somehow sustains, soothes, renews and rejuvenates. For many people, their love of ocean, river, lake and even rain can also be a powerful reason to act to protect that source of life.

Look for traditions from your culture and land to honour water or co-create new rituals with friends. Get playful, go with the flow, enjoy the journey.

If you need some inspiration for how to honour water as sacred, water as life, you can try this very short and very sweet water ritual shared generously with permission to share again here by Lakota elder, Tiokasin Ghosthorse.