Our Business Spotlight this month, “How Mother Nature Inspires Storytelling,” by Linda Sechrist, fittingly features a dear friend, long-time supporter of and regular contributing writer to Natural Awakenings Greater Boston/Rhode Island Wendy Nadherny Fachon. Behind the scenes, Wendy has truly been a godsend to us for many years. Her work teaching children and adults alike about the natural world is deeply inspiring and we are infinitely grateful for her contributions. Don’t miss this gem!

Marlaina Donato’s “Wellness Without Walls,” picks up this thread, exploring the growing movement to take our health practices outdoors, from yoga in lavender fields to sunrise paddleboarding and trail walks that double as herb lessons. The science is humbling in its simplicity. Even a couple of hours a week among trees, water or open sky can lift our mood and steady our minds.

Speaking of taking your practice outdoors, our News Briefs feature a fun opportunity to do just that. Through the end of September, Dragonfly Yoga and Wellness is holding llama yoga at the Bittersweet Farm Estate, in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where founder Helena Safran promises an experience in which mindfulness meets the pasture. Offering sunset and full moon sessions too, a curious llama may well wander into your practice for a little love.

For those of us who would rather bring a little of that closer to home, Maya Whitman’s “Sustainable Water Features” is full of ideas, from solar fountains and rain-fed birdbaths to backyard ponds alive with frogs and water lilies.

On the cover this month is a female cardinal, a quieter beauty than her crimson mate, but no less striking once you slow down enough to really see her. Cardinals have long been regarded as messengers—a gentle nudge to look up, pay attention and remember we are never quite as alone as we think. She felt like the right companion for a July issue about stepping outside and noticing what is already there.

Wherever this summer finds you, I hope you find a moment to step onto the grass and let yourself just be.

Peace,