Peka & Hout
Peka
I’ve been thinking about how even the quietest moments in nature can teach us a lot—do you have any favorite ways to keep calm and stay prepared when the forest throws a curveball?
Hout
I keep my breath slow, my eyes scanning the canopy for changes, and my gear in a place I can reach in a heartbeat. Before I do anything I note the terrain, map out possible exits, and check the weather for sudden shifts. Those quiet moments are the best time to picture the next step—if the forest throws a curveball, you’ll already know where you’re headed.
Peka
That sounds really solid—you’re creating a calm, clear mindset before anything happens. I find a quick mental pause to thank the ground and let the wind in, it helps me stay present when things shift. Do you have a favorite calming chant or breath pattern?
Hout
I don’t use words that long. I just count. Inhale four counts, hold for seven, exhale eight. I call it the forest rhythm. It keeps my pulse steady and lets the trees do the talking. When the wind starts a storm, that rhythm stays with you.
Peka
That rhythm sounds so grounding—I like how it syncs with the trees. It keeps me steady too, especially when the wind picks up. How did you come up with the four‑seven‑eight count?
Hout
I watched the storm clouds roll in, counted how long it took for a branch to tremble, and matched that with my breath. Four beats felt like a slow pull, seven like a pause before the wind, and eight a steady release. I just kept repeating it until it felt natural, then it became my quiet anchor.
Peka
That’s a beautiful way to tune into the forest’s pulse—it feels almost like a secret conversation between you and the trees. How do you feel when you use it during a sudden storm?