Why I Started Shaman’s Rest: A Journey Back to Nature

People often ask me how I became involved in sound healing, shamanic practice, crystals, and nature-based wellbeing.

The truth is that my journey didn’t begin in a classroom or on a training course. It began outdoors.

Growing up near Lichfield, I always felt drawn to the natural world. As a child, I would spend hours exploring woodlands, sitting quietly amongst the trees, listening to birdsong, and feeling a connection to something I couldn’t quite explain. Long before I discovered spiritual practices, nature was already teaching me.

As life became busier and more demanding, I noticed something many people experience today. Stress, pressure, responsibility, and the constant noise of modern life can slowly pull us away from ourselves.

Like many people, I found myself searching for something deeper.

Over the years, that search led me to explore crystals, Reiki, meditation, sound healing, shamanic traditions, and personal development. What I discovered was not a quick fix or a magical solution. Instead, I found a collection of tools that helped me reconnect with myself, with nature, and with a sense of purpose.

One of the most powerful discoveries was sound.

The first time I experienced the deep vibration of a gong and the steady rhythm of a drum, I understood why these instruments have been used for thousands of years. Sound has a unique way of bypassing the busy mind. It allows us to slow down, breathe, and simply be present.

I began studying and working with sound, incorporating drums, gongs, singing bowls, and other instruments into my practice. Over time, I witnessed something remarkable. People who arrived feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected often left feeling calmer, lighter, and more centred.

That experience inspired me to create Shaman’s Rest.

Shaman’s Rest was founded on a simple belief: that people need spaces where they can reconnect with themselves, with nature, and with a sense of inner peace.

Today, through sound baths, drumming circles, workshops, courses, and woodland experiences, I have the privilege of holding space for people from all walks of life. Some come seeking relaxation. Others are looking for personal growth. Many simply want a break from the demands of everyday life.

Whatever brings them through the door, the intention remains the same.

To create a welcoming environment where people can slow down, breathe deeply, and remember that wellbeing is not something we find outside ourselves. It is something we nurture from within.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that healing often begins with simplicity.

A walk in the woods.

The sound of a drum.

The warmth of a fire.

The beauty of a crystal.

A moment of stillness.

These simple experiences can remind us of who we are beneath the stress, worries, and distractions of modern life.

My work continues to evolve, but the heart of Shaman’s Rest remains unchanged. It is about creating opportunities for people to reconnect with themselves, with nature, and with a deeper sense of meaning.

If you are reading this and feel called to explore sound healing, drumming, meditation, or nature-based wellbeing, I would love to welcome you to one of our events.

Sometimes the first step on a new journey is simply taking a moment to pause and listen.

Thank you for being here.

Andrew Elson