Sensory Garden | Chrysalis

To be in the Sensory Garden is to be a part of it and to interact with it.

The Sensory Garden provides plants and other elements (i.e., water feature, wind chimes, birdhouses/baths, pinwheels) to allow for optimal sensory mindfulness.

The Sensory Garden

It is not a place for observation with distance. Instead it allows for immersion into the garden with the full self.

The experience in the Sensory Garden allows the here-now experience that is sought in mindfulness meditations.

Scripts or recordings for sensory mindfulness are commonly used in therapy but can be limited. The Sensory Garden is optimal for Mindfulness.

The Sensory Garden brings to present awareness, self in relation to the environment.

Mindfulness is about being in the present moment and the Sensory Garden allows for this optimally—through real-time engagement.

The Sensory Gardens allow for the use of all of the senses including:

touch,

taste,

smell,

sight and

hearing.

Other senses are also considered in the Sensory Garden.

Proprioception

Neuroception

Interoception

Interoception

Proprioception

One can smell the sweet smell of roses. Most enjoy the smell of the rose and breathe deeply and fully in a manner that enhances parasympathetic arousal of the nervous system. Smell evokes strong memories. The smell of produce such as tomatoes can bring memories of earlier experiences.

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One can smell the monarda, lilacs, ornamental onion, and lily of the valley.

Ornamental onion. Beautiful and scented.

The smells of lavender can elicit feelings of calmness. The smell of the lilac can bring memories of early childhood neighborhoods or grandparent’s backyards. The smell and taste of mint can be done in the garden or enhanced with the gum at the Sensory Wall.