A Healing Walk in the Wild Weald
Wild Weald Wellness guru and Reiki Practitioner Donna Christman shares her own story and the insights she has discovered along the way between nature, health and wellness. She offers advice and guidance to readers along with the opportunity to join her micro-retreats in the stunning grounds of the Brownbread Horse Rescue centre in the beautiful High Weald, East Sussex.
Donna with horses from the family-run Brownbread Horse Rescue.
Green Earth Plan interviews Donna Christman of ‘Wild Weald Wellness’ - June 2024
Donna is based in the rolling High Weald in East Sussex, in a little hamlet close to the historic town of Battle. She grew up in the countryside surrounded by animals at Brownbread Horse Rescue, which was founded over 50 years ago and is still run by her parents. Donna settled in Hove for many years and worked as a fitness instructor and primary teacher. Despite enjoying living between the sea and South Downs, she eventually felt a strong urge to head back to her roots, deep in the countryside.
Sending healing intuitively for some years led Donna to train as a Reiki healer, she is a second-degree certified Reiki practitioner from the traditional Usui lineage. Donna offers in-person and distance healing treatments, as well as animal healing, to shift emotional issues and physical pain, stress and tension, anxiety, depression and feelings of ‘stuckness’.
Donna, why do you feel nature is important for our wellbeing?
I have been leading meditation walks in nature for several years now and my emphasis, as we move through the landscape, is to reconnect participants with themselves – and to see themselves as part of the nature. I enable people to return to their natural home within, to become grounded and free. Being immersed in nature allows us to get out of ourselves, to get into our ‘true’ selves…to find our true nature. And our true nature is nature.
What was it that made you start Wild Weald Wellness?
Connecting with Reiki (the ‘Universal Energy’) and beginning to understand the teachings of spiritual masters enabled me to ‘go within’ and to experience the fruits of letting go of what wasn’t needed. Discovering our true selves gives us freedom to be authentic and real, to get out of our brains and to be more heart centred. I felt I wanted to share this insight, and what better place to do it than deep in the rolling countryside, surrounded by wildlife.
Residents of Brownbread Horse Rescue
Can you share some insights into what a guest on one of your micro-retreats can expect?
The Micro-Retreat well-being experience offers total immersion in nature. Accompanied by birdsong (including nightingales), we’ll enjoy wildflowers, a huge variety of trees, seasonal colours, grazing ponies, and along the way, a variety of lovely, relaxing activities to clear and calm the mind and body.
The micro-retreat includes time to share refreshments - which are provided – and time to chat together in friendly company.
We often hear about the wellness benefits of connecting with animals, what is your experience of this?
Our domestic creatures trust us to care for their needs and connecting with animals is proven to have many health benefits, such as lowering the pulse rate and so reducing feelings of anxiety; it’s impossible not to smile when in their company! They are emotionally and spiritually intelligent - always living in the moment and letting go of what’s not needed, though we must realise they are mirrors for our emotions too and if there are tensions between us and our animals it’s often because we humans need to deal with our own issues. I love how animals remember how to play, even as adults, and that they are affectionate and offer unconditional love.
Have you had the opportunity to practice Reiki on any of the residents at Brownbread Horse Rescue?
We have a retired Polo horse called Pampa, who is calm in every way, and a couple of years ago our donkey came back to the yard. Pampa was terrified of this donkey, its special smell, its ears and donkey noise, and wouldn’t go anywhere near it. There was no improvement over time, and he was clearly very stressed when he caught sight of it in a far stable (or if he imagined it was there) or adjoining field. I thought he’d benefit from Reiki healing, so I worked with him and within a week he was transformed and able to be close to the donkey in a relaxed and friendly manner. Something had shifted. It was lovely to witness this deep change, and the donkey appreciated it too!
What has been the most significant thing you have learned on your own wellness journey so far?
The freedom of reducing the powerful and limiting hold of the ego, which manifests itself as our mind chatter, and our judgements, among other things. It’s work in progress – but the practice of throwing it out leaves a light, loving and joyful space where we can really get to know our true selves; we can speak our truth and live more intuitively.
“Living in the flow of grace invites wonderful happenings and special people into our lives...”
If you could offer the reader some advice to support their own wellness what would it be?
Be hydrated with filtered water, get physical, get grounding (your body in contact with the earth), enjoy good nutrition (not microwaved), don’t cook in plastic or aluminium, breathe deeply, smile, practise gratitude and empathy, be altruistic, forgive – yourself and others, practise releasing the ego, trust your intuition, transact from the heart, and finally, be yourself – each of us is beautifully unique!
What is next for you?
This summer we’re putting up four exclusive boutique bell tents, all with stunning views, so that people can escape the busyness of life and combine a very comfortable and cosy stay in a meadow at the Horse Rescue with, if they wish, a lovely well-being experience.
As well as continuing professional development in Reiki and animal Reiki, I’ll be offering micro-retreats with varying themes – to be announced! Beach-based micro-retreats are also in the planning stage. I would welcome any groups, companies or businesses looking for team-bonding activities or staff treats to get in touch for bespoke well-being days or sessions. Gift vouchers are also available.
To hear about future Micro-Retreats – stay updated by following ‘Wild Weald’ (Wellness and Health) on Facebook or join Donna’s WhatsApp group: 07968 293976
To book Boutique Bell Tents, use Airbnb link or book direct (Exclusive group bookings available)
For Reiki and distance Reiki healing treatments please contact Donna by phone/text/Whats App (07968 293976) or by direct message on Facebook messenger.
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