Natural power paths & places
along our idyllic walking and running paths
Take in the different perspectives during our small house tours at the edge of the forest. On the Schwarz Alm. And of life in general – especially if you do several laps. As in the entire Waldviertel, there is always a bit of uphill and a bit of downhill here. The one symbolises contemplative or precious moments, the other the highs of life. In between, enjoy the peace and quiet and doing nothing on one of the benches or rocks – just as it should be in real life!
1. Stone circle
A stone circle is always a work of art of the forces of nature. Many things can be taken for “real” here. The stones stand there as an airy space with a centre. And there you stand with your thoughts or questions.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Go, look and let yourself be surprised!
- Which stone suits me? Then enjoy its closeness.
- First walk the outer circle with your eyes on the centre. What is important right now? Then look at each stone in turn from the centre. What does everything have to do with this topic? Then go from stone to stone again, looking at the centre. What is a message, a feeling for you from this position or role?
- Walk inside the stones for anything or anyone that strengthens you. Go outside the stones for anything or anyone that, conversely, strengthens or supports you.
2. V-like victory trees
These two spruce trees have been growing close together for a very long time and have become stronger and stronger. Stand between the trees and feel this power.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Let the power of these trees resonate with you.
- Stand in front of or between the “V-trees”.
- Straighten your spine vertebra by vertebra from below, your shoulders pull back and down, your chin points slightly towards your sternum and your knees remain loose.
- Consciously pull your arms upwards in a “V” position and be aware of your own body tension.
3. Tree room
Any time spent in the forest has many beneficial effects on our bodies. One immediately noticeable effect is the feeling of coming home through the smell of earth and forest. This open canopy of spruce branches (a few metres next to the V-trees) invites you to do just that.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Come under the inviting canopy of spruce branches.
- Breathe in and out deeply, focussing on the out-breath. This signals to the body that it can relax.
- Consciously direct your breath over your feet, noticing the direct connection to the forest floor.
- Consciously inhale the intense aroma of the forest floor with every breath and allow a feeling of safety and trust to develop.
4. Mirror pond
Find the centre
Our mirror pond (dogs are also welcome to bathe here) can do more. The “philosopher’s stone” in the centre and its reflection help you to think faster and walking around the pond moves your mind!
Natural force resonance exercise:
Bring more revolutions into your thinking!
- 3 things I do every day for my health and balance. What would I like to expand on?
- This is what I’m most excited about right now…
- I think differently about this now than I used to …
- I am/react differently today than I used to …
- Where do I stand, where do I want to go?
5. Four cardinal points
These four spruces symbolise the four main cardinal points, the space in the middle is free for you! Perhaps this little 1 x 1 of Celtic elemental theory will inspire you to “get” something, or even a little more, from a desired direction?
Natural force resonance exercise:
With a clockwise rotation and in your own time, you name a now suitable force or quality for your life or a specific occasion by turning in each individual direction.
For orientation: NORTH is at the bottom of the overview map.
Start intuitively with the direction that seems least important to you and then continue:
NORDEN = EARTH
the old or traditional
EAST = AIR
the “masculine” and everything you understand by it
SOUTH = FIRE
the “childlike” and everything you understand by it
WEST = WATER
the “feminine” and everything you understand by it
6. Forest devotion
Forest, earth & light
Our elegant forest sanctuary with its unrivalled location above the Schwarz Alm gives us one of the most beautiful views of the entire resort.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Life is change. Strengthen yourself for everything your life has in store for you through a good connection between earth and sky, just as the architecture of our forest sanctuary is shaped.
- Find a good position near the forest devotion with a stable stand “between heaven and earth”: you can clearly feel the ground beneath you and the light from above.
- Perhaps you can develop an image of how you are well connected upwards and downwards along your spine.</li
- Then distribute your positive energy to those around you: swing your loosely open arms back and forth from left to right with your palms open upwards and find your personal expression – everything is right!
7. Centre square
Security with a vision
Behind the forest devotion in the extension of the meadow path, follow the upper of two forest paths and you will reach this special mindfulness spot between two trees. Mindfulness also because you step in and out carefully and the place will love you.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Enjoy the soft landing between two trees. Save the feeling of being held like a foundation that will carry you forward.
- Breathe with a focus on breathing IN: breathe in all the freshness and expanse that this place has to offer.
- Raise yourself: consciously raise and lower your shoulders, allow your belly to bulge.
- Be aware of both things that are part of a healthy life: security and basic trust through the connection to the earth between the roots of both trees. And the expanse of the view that beckons you to the next adventure …
8. Heart tree
Togetherness
Above the south-west corner of the meadow, follow the path at an acute angle back to the meadow – our heart tree awaits you there: a double trunk with a strengthening bulge in the connection. It is a metaphor for the strong connecting element between two people.
Natural force resonance exercise:
There are moments that need no words and no topic. Give yourself this simple gesture of connection as a couple:
- Touch the ‘centrepiece’ of the tree together.</li
- Maybe try out the difference in how it feels for the top hand and how it feels for the bottom hand – and then alternate?
- And now share a smile or grin … the world is waiting for you both!
9. Smile bench
Surprises of life
There is an inconspicuous bench where the paths meet. But it really has it all. See what you can achieve with a smile.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Sit down and smile towards the encounter with other natural power explorers:
- When someone comes along, see what your smile can do …
- If no one comes along for a while, smile at the trees and yourself and see what your smile can do now!
10. Dankesfelsen
Say thank you
At this rock right next to the path, nature opens up for a small gesture of thanks. The rock quietly reminds us of the balance between our daily wishes, requests and thanks.
Natural force resonance exercise:
What is it worth saying “Thank you!” for?
- Find a small piece of nature, a leaf, a twig or a small stone and something you are grateful for.
- While you place the symbol in the crevice, try to notice what gratitude feels like.
- With another thought of thanks as you continue walking, you will gladly come back again.
11. Power root
Be stable & flexible
This tree to the left of the path has been severely challenged in the course of its growth, as shown by its strong supporting roots. Around it, we find solid rock and soft forest soil as stark contrasts.
Natural strength resonance exercise:
Train both at the same time – stable stability and adaptable flexibility:
- Position yourself near the root. Brace your feet firmly against the ground – “root-like”, so to speak, as stable as the tree.
- Then test your stability by swinging your upper body slightly in different directions – a few degrees are enough – or balance on one leg and use your body’s natural balancing forces. Or is it the forest that carries you?
12. Romantic bench
On cloud nine
This paradisiacal place attracts people who like each other very much! And who don’t just want to talk, but enjoy the eloquent silence. The intimacy …
Natural force resonance exercise:
So you can stretch the paradisiacal time here a little, almost stop it – for a brief, endless moment:
- Take your time.
- The trees behind you are also a “couple” – what do you notice about the trees?
- Take a little more time and perhaps there will be silent answers in you to a silent question “This is what I love about you …!”
13. New Kamp bridge
Hydropower
This bridge was rebuilt in 2022 after the Kamphoch flood in 2002.
Natural power resonance exercise:
Discover and strengthen the quality and power of the element of water within you – even without flooding:
- Breathe in the water wheel and consciously inhale the delicious water air and the fresh scent of water by breathing deeply in and out – without pausing!
- Then, standing firmly, stroke your kidneys with the flat of your palm, fists or finger bones on your back – using your own strength and speed.
- Receive the refreshment as a gift from the element of water.
14. Whispering rock
Send wishes
At the other end of the bridge on the left is a rock that may have been overlooked until now. But it is waiting for your wishes! And the rock also has a wish, because not all wishes are the same …
Natural force resonance exercise:
Whisper your wish and the rock in the form of a closed mouth will silently pass on your words. Perhaps think about it beforehand:
- The best wishes are the ones that are easy to say.
- The very best wishes are those that also do good for other people.
- Are you ready for the fulfilment of your wish?
15. Power station
Energy work
The power station combines the past and the future and is the result of a small feat of engineering. In order for the power station to function, the flow velocity of the side channel from the Kamp must be increased by an underground, constantly rising pipework in the direction of the power station! This place is an invitation to increase and channel the energy of breathing.
Natural power resonance exercise:
Utilise the charged atmosphere and audible acoustics of the water and the nearby turbine:
- Breathe with a clear emphasis on the out-breath. This is done differently to the normal breathing rhythm by forcefully drawing the abdominal wall inwards.
- The INhalation remains rather passive and reflexive.
- After a few breaths of this kind, you can direct your energised breath towards your heart or other organs that you want to strengthen.
16. Fine moss
Time out for your feet
Suddenly they are there – the wide and soft moss carpets. Small miniature landscapes of incredibly lush green in every season. They are true marvels of the forest.
Natural power resonance exercise:
Come closer & treat your feet to some natural “moss time”:
- Walk – barefoot of course – with springy knees for a few steps and feel how the soft moss carries you.
- Give the moss a playful foot massage in return.
- Try to keep your footprint as small and light as possible here too 😉
17. Forest water
Sensory opening
A small waterhole awaits you at the edge of the path. A world of its own opens up in the midst of mosses and ferns. Take a closer look!
Natural force resonance exercise:
Receive the personal gift from this place:
- Discover the beauty in simplicity – how many different shapes exist here peacefully side by side in a small area!
- Listen to the gentle water acoustics up close – how refreshing!
- The visual variety is accompanied by a haptic richness. Would you like to taste and touch it?
18. Increase in strength
The tree that holds everything
A tree that seems to hold the entire granite rock landscape behind it. Impressive. And an invitation to “help” the tree for a moment and increase your own strength!
Natural power resonance exercise:
What the tree can do, you can do too:
- Lean on the tree or the rock with one or both hands and give it weight.
- Feel your own strength on the counterweight of the tree!
- Step up: push your arms out strongly from your shoulders, stretch your legs alternately and feel your calves. Just give it your all!
19. Pyramid rock
Creative forces
You are standing in front of a granite rock face, a natural work of art that has been shaped by wind and weather for thousands of years and whose traces of weathering are fascinating. What forces have worked and continue to work here!
Natural force resonance exercise:
The success of an action does not begin with the action, but well before it. Strengthen yourself for your own actions in front of this fascinating stage:
- Think about an upcoming project for which you will probably need a lot of strength.
- With this goal in mind, stand with your back to the rock in a stable position and stretch your arms backwards and upwards as far as they will go.
- Be aware of your body tension and this posture as a welcome to all your strength!
20. Root circle
At the centre
This small circle of trees with a powerful centre is waiting for you: unlike at the Square of the Four Directions near the Schwarz Alm, where the view and attention go far outwards – to the cardinal points – here the attention turns to the centre: to you!
Natural force resonance exercise:
Self-consciously take centre stage. It’s all about you – bring the energy:
- Stand in the circle, choose the right line of vision, arrive.
- Make yourself aware of your own centre – either with one hand on your heart or with this exercise to strengthen your centre: place one hand on the middle of your body and hold the other at the same height on your spine. Your centre lies between them!
- Breathe into this space: count to 5 to breathe in, count to 5 to hold your breath, then count to 5 to breathe out and breathe in again without pausing … the space between breathing in and out is your inner oasis of calm.
21. Scene of nature
See more!
In the sparse forest to the right of the path, various small paths lead to a wooded cliff edge with a view. The special thing: there is nothing to see but vastness. No sights to see. No “You have to see this!”. Instead, you are invited to take in the view from this grandstand.
Natural force resonance exercise:
Broaden your view of the future. Look into your visions or concrete plans, at your dreams or goals. The view of things is clear:
- Breathe wide first: loosen your knees, stretch your arms loosely out to the side and repeat your deep inhalation and exhalation until your lungs “feel” as wide as the landscape in front of you.
- Then widen your gaze with eye yoga: first look with both pupils parallel to the right, left, up, down, diagonally if necessary, then circle with both pupils in both directions – as far as possible, of course!
