What’s New at Wildlands
Doing vs. Being: Q&A with Yoga & Dance Teacher Grace Junek
Grace Junek.
By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator
Grace Junek is a yoga and dance teacher with 15 years of experience. Through group, one-on-one, and online programs, Grace aspires “to help make the world a better place by inspiring joy, supporting healing, and empowering self-awareness.” Learn more about Grace and her business, Be Inspired with Grace, at beinspiredwithgrace.com.
Grace led popular yoga classes at Wildlands Trust before the COVID-19 pandemic brought our programs to a halt in 2020. Now, she is back, offering two programs in our Community Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm: Yoga for WellBeing every Wednesday in February and March and Sole to Soul Movement across three Sundays in March. Learn more and register for Grace’s upcoming programs here.
Earlier this month, I spoke with Grace about her inspiration behind these programs, the benefits of yoga and dance, and the connection between mindful movement and nature.
TP: You have two programs coming up at Wildlands, Yoga for WellBeing and Sole to Soul Movement. Can you tell me a bit about those?
GJ: For Yoga for WellBeing, I wanted to create a class that feels comprehensive—one that addresses the body, mind, and spirit. The mind piece might begin with a short reflection. The physical aspect focuses on keeping the body strong, flexible, and balanced. And spiritually, it can be as simple as connecting with the breath and allowing that to become a doorway to connecting more deeply with yourself.
Sole to Soul Movement is really an extension of what I’ve been doing for the past 15 years. I’ve been teaching Latin dance, which is a high-energy style that draws from many genres within the Latin music world. It’s super fun. At the same time, there has always been a therapeutic element to the work. Somatic movement is incredibly beneficial for the body in so many ways. Sole to Soul is a pilot class focused on turning emotion into motion—processing feelings without words or thoughts. I’m really excited about it.
Who is the ideal audience for these programs?
Anyone who is truly serious about self-care. I’ve been doing this work for a long time and have taught everyone from teens to people in their 80s. While most participants have been female, there have also been many males over the years. Ultimately, it’s about self-care.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Self-care is about giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you.” That really captures what I’m trying to offer through this work.
What are the benefits of yoga and dance?
I consider both yoga and dance to be meditative practices. When you’re practicing them, they naturally bring you into the present moment. There’s no tomorrow, no timeline, no yesterday—just right now. They help you connect with yourself in the moment.
There’s an important balance between doing and being. So much of life is constant, relentless doing, and these practices invite presence and awareness. My hope is always that the mindfulness cultivated in class extends into other areas of your life. And it does.
Sunrise Yoga with Grace Junek.
Why are you partnering with Wildlands? How does your work connect to nature?
Nature is truly the cornerstone of human wellbeing. I deeply admire the work that Wildlands Trust does. Being able to get out into nature allows us to reset, disconnect, and gain perspective—to remember that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. That awareness plays a central role in wellbeing.
There is also a powerful synergy between nature and meditative practices. It’s not just about understanding that connection intellectually, but feeling it and living it through experience.
There’s also a healing aspect to nature. When I use the word “healing,” I’m not just referring to recovery from illness. I’m also talking about healing from the stresses of everyday life. That’s the kind of healing nature so beautifully supports.
Who are you? How did you arrive at this work?
My heritage is Brazilian Portuguese, so music and dance have been part of my life since I was born. I came to yoga in my 30s. For me, dance saved my life, and yoga healed it.
I was a clothing designer for more than 25 years while raising three children. In my 40s, I reached a point where that career became too demanding, and I made the decision to walk away. I naturally returned to dance and yoga—not professionally at first, but for my own healing, balance, and well-being. From there, I realized I could take two of my greatest passions and turn them into my life’s work. When I saw how deeply these practices impacted others, the work began to expand organically.
This is not a hobby—it’s my life’s work. I truly believe this is how I can help make the world a better place. When individuals become healthier from the inside out, that wellbeing naturally ripples outward to others.
What can people expect from you when they attend their first class?
Over the years, the feedback I receive most often is that my work is inspirational.
There are three core values at the heart of everything I do. The first is quality. When people come to my classes, there is a level of quality that is never compromised. I deeply respect that people are carving time out of their busy lives, and I want them to leave feeling glad that they came.
The second is compassion. I’ve always believed that yoga and dance meet you exactly where you are. There is no competition—not even with yourself. I emphasize acceptance and non-judgment, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a complete beginner. In my dance classes, I always say there’s no such thing as a mistake—only unexpected solos. If you’re having fun, you’re doing it right.
The third core value is service. That’s what I’m here to do—to serve others as fully and authentically as I can.
What Happens on a Meditation Hike?
By Betsy Hall, Volunteer Hike Leader
Betsy Hall is a longtime Wildlands Trust member and volunteer who leads Mindful Meditation, a monthly walk series that encourages new and experienced meditators to reconnect with nature. Visit wildlandstrust.org/events to view upcoming Mindful Meditation programs.
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If you ever pass a group of silent men and women hiking on a forest trail, it is quite possible they are practicing awareness. A meditation hike uses silence (i.e. no talking) as a method for hikers to become more attuned to their inner and outer experience. In a safe group of five to 15 people, hikers have the opportunity to hear the wind rustling in the trees and birds calling out their distinctive cries. They notice the warmth of sun on their face or the chill of a cloudy day.
Hikers also have a chance to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings as they place each foot thoughtfully on the path. Acknowledging thoughts and feelings allows hikers to gently let distractions go as they return their awareness to their surroundings.
There are no rules except silence. Each person is an expert for themselves. The experience of each hiker is different. Plus, every meditation hike is different from previous hikes. Sometimes an eagle flies overhead; sometimes a seal pops up out of the water to say hello. Sometimes a ghost pipe or a lady slipper appears on the side of the trail. Each hiker responds inwardly in silence to these and many other forest wonders.
After we reach our destination, we have a chance to talk about any significant moments on the hike. Everyone is free to pass. Then we talk among ourselves on the return hike, connecting with old friends and making new ones.
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About Betsy Hall
Betsy Hall is a meditation teacher with over 25 years of experience. She trained under renowned instructor Jose Silva, whose techniques have been studied by millions of people around the world. Betsy has also studied with Zen Masters, Buddhist teachers, and Christian leaders. She loves to lead hikes in the forest because she believes that nature is one of the greatest meditation teachers. Betsy gently leads her participants in the art of self-discovery and delight. Her career as a teacher and guidance counselor is an essential part of her foundation as a meditation guide.
Wildlands Shows Its Love for Wareham at Community Event
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
The coastal town of Wareham, home to Wildlands’ Great Neck Conservation Area, offers an array of outdoor recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors. So, when Wildlands Trust was invited to partner with the Wareham Land Trust, Mass Audubon, and Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Onset Bay Center to host a full day of free outdoor activities highlighting the area’s various opportunities to enjoy nature and support the environment, we were thrilled to accept!
Funded in part by grants from the Wareham Cultural Council and Plymouth Cultural Council (two local agencies supported by the State's Mass Cultural Council), “Wild for Wareham” took place on May 7, at Buzzard’s Bay Coalition’s Onset Bay Center.
Wildlands’ Programming and Outreach Manager, Claire Johnston, collaborated with staff from the event’s partner organizations, planning a day packed with activities. Among the offerings were: an intertidal beach exploration; programs about navigation, whales, insects, osprey, and coastal waterbirds; a salt marsh exploration; and a kayaking adventure. Wildlands hosted two programs at Great Neck Conservation Area—an invasive plant identification and removal workshop, and a nature weaving exploration activity. Participants brought home potted native plants, a children’s book, and assorted fun swag from the various organizations tabling at the event.
The depth and variety of knowledge within the Wareham community--in the fields of land protection, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection--was on full display at the Wild for Wareham event, and the opportunities for interesting outdoor explorations were plentiful! Wildlands Trust was thrilled to be a partner in this event, and hope that it was the first of many to come!
Wildlands' Community Welcomed Back at Opening Day 2022
Read Time: 2 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
On May 1, the Wildlands community came together at our Davis-Douglas Farm headquarters, in Plymouth, to kick off the 2022 programming season. Near-perfect spring weather was a bonus for all who attended our Opening Day celebration, making for a fun and relaxing Sunday afternoon that surely left many visitors daydreaming of the summer days ahead!
Friends of all ages, people and pets, families, returning members, staff, volunteers, and first-time visitors enjoyed local beer and live music on the lawn, explored craft activities and games, and learned all about the Wildlands Trust community, the work we're doing, and the various opportunities to join us--at our programs and events, as volunteers, and through membership.
The Conservation Barn was open for visitors to peruse information tables about current offerings and initiatives at Wildlands, or to purchase soft pretzels, fresh out of the oven. Many visitors enjoyed lengthy conversations with our staff and volunteers inside the Barn, while some of our youngest visitors dropped in just long enough to find the lollipops that adorned the display areas.
Wildlands’ Programming and Outreach Manager Claire Johnston said, “We are thrilled to have people interested in learning about us, what we’ve been doing, and what’s to come!” And our entire staff loved seeing all of the smiling faces and the steady buzz of activity around our headquarters that day. We can't wait to keep the momentum going as our 2022 programming season gets underway, so be on the lookout for more fabulous events to come!
Join Us for Opening Day 2022 at Wildlands Trust!
Read Time: 1 min
By Amy Markarian, Senior Copywriter
Spring is in the air! Temperatures are warming, flowers are blooming, and the annual greening of the landscape is underway. At Wildlands, we are celebrating the promise of an exciting season of programming with our “Opening Day” at the Conservation Barn at Davis-Douglas Farm.
Join us for this free event on Sunday, May 1 (12pm-4pm) to enjoy the beauty of our Plymouth headquarters, learn about Wildlands Trust and some of the exciting projects we have planned, and find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Gather your friends and family, and plan to spend the afternoon with us! You’re welcome to bring a picnic of your own or purchase snacks at the barn, and IndieFerm beer will be available for purchase. In addition to live music and lawn games throughout the event, there will be a guided nature walk/craft activity for children at 12pm, and an Adopt-a-Preserve training program at 1pm, for adults interested in making a monthly commitment to help monitor Wildlands’ preserves.
(*Pre-registration is only required for the two scheduled events. Visit: https://wildlandstrust.org/events/2022/5/1/opening-day for the link to the Eventbrite registration.)
