5 Soul-Centered Rituals to Try During Your Stay in at the Yurt

So, you’ve made it to the Magical Yurt in the Woods - yee-hoo! Welcome, friend! Whether you came seeking rest, reflection, or just a much needed getaway from the buzz of beeping gadgets and to-do lists, I’m so glad you’re here.

I’ve been living in harmony with these trees and the watershed land of Haydenville, MA for a long time, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the forest gives us exactly what we need — if we slow down long enough to receive it.

So, here are five gentle, soul-centered rituals you can weave into your stay. Enjoy :)

1. Forest Bathing

What it is: A slow, mindful wander through the woods.
How to do it: Leave your phone at the yurt. Let your feet decide where to go, have no specific plan. Walk or stroll. Breathe in the scent of pine, notice the sun-dappled leaves, listen to the birdsong welcoming you. No agenda, just being.

Why it matters: Nature doesn’t want to fix you — she wants to remind you you’re already whole.

2. Journaling by Firelight

What it is: A little late-night love letter to your soul.
How to do it: Grab your notebook (or the back of a cereal box — no judgment), sit by the wood-burning stove and let your pen spill whatever’s alive in you. Dreams, fears, gratitude, grocery lists… it’s all sacred.

Why it matters: The flicker of fire opens portals of the heart and soul. Write like no one (not even yourself) will ever read these words.

3. Herbal Tea Meditations

What it is: Sippin’ with intention.
How to do it: Brew something earthy — chamomile, mint, maybe a little lemon balm if you’ve foraged friendly. As it steeps, breathe in the steam. As you sip, say thank you. Let each swallow remind you to slow down.

Why it matters: Tea is plant wisdom in a mug. When we pause to honor it, we honor ourselves.

4. Grounding & Gentle Morning Yoga

What it is: A slow, stretchy love note to your body and the earth beneath you.

How to do it: Join me in the sun-soaked studio at the end of the yurt’s driveway. We move slow and intentioned together for a cozy 90 minutes as Sunday wakes us up. This is not a space for “pros,” and you don’t need to be super bendy or strong — just present. I’ll guide you gently and meet you exactly where you are. Pajamas welcome.

Why it matters: Mornings are sacred portals. A little movement helps the soul settle into the body, like honey melting into tea.

5. Gazing at the Stars

What it is: A quiet moment of connection with the vastness above and the wisdom within.
How to do it: Step outside after dark. Let your eyes slowly adjust as the stars begin to reveal themselves — soft, steady, ancient. You don’t have to name constellations or make a wish. Just stand there. Maybe lie back on a blanket. Let the sky remind you how big and beautiful it all is.

Why it matters: You are stardust in a human body. Looking up is a kind of remembering.

So there you have it, sweet spirit — five little ways to deepen your time at the Magical Yurt in the Woods. These rituals aren’t fancy. They don’t require apps, downloads, or perfect form. Just your attention and your heart.

Try one. Try ‘em all. Or just sit and listen to the wind through the trees — that counts too.

With a heart full of moss and moonlight,
Carolyn Shakti
(Resident Fire Tending Enthusiast and Barefoot Mystic)