Woodlands Garden

Qigong/Dao Yin Class: Mindful Movement Series
2025-04-26 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-03 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-10 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-24 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-05-31 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | GA
Join us in the gentle movements of Dao Yin and Qigong amidst the serene beauty of Woodlands Garden. These ancient practices are designed to reduce stress and connect with nature, offering a peaceful way to nurture both mind and body. This class is part of the Mindful Movement Spring Wellness Series at Woodland Gardens.
Over the course of 8 weeks, we will gather in the screened-in Pavilion at Woodlands Garden, where we’ll practice Qigong and Dao Yin. These practices emphasize intentional breathing, balance, and gentle movements—both standing and on the ground—to help cultivate flexibility and harmony. As foundational practices for Tai Chi, they offer an excellent introduction to this transformative discipline. Weather permitting, we’ll also enjoy walking the grounds using forest bathing techniques, guided by Neil’s deep knowledge of trees.
The fee for the session is $30 for Coop members and Woodlands’ Volunteers and Donors, otherwise a $60 donation from the curious public is requested. Proceeds will be evenly donated to Woodlands Garden and the Tai Chi 4 LIFE Coop. Woodlands Garden is dedicated to preserving a woodland sanctuary that educates and inspires the community to connect with the natural world. The Tai Chi 4 LIFE Coop is a self-care cooperative that brings together teachers and students to offer practical methods for reducing stress through Tai Chi, Qigong, and other healing arts, enhancing overall health and well-being. Register using this link.
Neil, a skilled instructor in Tai Chi, Wild Goose Qigong, Tree Gong, Four Season Qigong, Five Element Medical Qigong, and Dao Yin, has taught Qigong at the Decatur Recreation Center and is a founding member of the Tai Chi 4 LIFE Coop. In addition to his teaching, Neil works as a consulting arborist, combining his love for nature with his expertise in mind-body wellness.

Children's Bookclub: Storytime and Playtime
2025-04-26 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-24 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-06-28 10:30 - 12:00 | Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
10:45am-12pm
Join Woodlands Garden and Nature Play Studio every month for Selah’s Book Club! This month we will read the book on the poster, followed by fun activities. Recommended for elementary aged children and their families. Bring a blanket to sit upon. You and your children will enjoy story time featuring a special book. Enjoy a hands on activity and light refreshments. Explore the trails and meandering paths throughout the Garden!
April 26: Thank you, Omu!
May 24: Run Wild
June 28: Jabari Jumps
Wednesday, July 23: Summer Reading Party with Bearings Bike Works

**July’s book club will not be hosted at Woodlands Garden** It will take place at Monday Night Garage’s Courtyard. Click here for more details.
July’s book club will take place on Wednesday, July 23 at 3 PM

August 23: A Walk in the Forest

Yoga in the Garden: Mindful Movement Series
2025-04-27 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-11 11:00 - 12:00 | The Lawn, 932 Scott Blvd, Decatur, GA, 30030-1302, United States
This free outdoor class will familiarize you with yoga, your Decatur neighbors, and the beautiful Woodlands Garden! Instructor Jasmine offers a gentle flow series focused on mindfulness and accessibility for all. This class is free and does not require registration!
Yoga in the Garden is part of the Mindful Movement Series! Starting March 23, every weekend a Yoga, Dao Yin or Qigong class will be taught in the garden. We hope to see you there!

Music in the Garden
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-01 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Pavilion, 932 Scott Blvd, Decatur, GA, 30030-1302, United States
Music in the Garden at Woodlands takes place in the screened-in Pavilion. Performances are free to the public and take place rain or shine. Events take place on numerous Sundays in the spring and fall between 2-4 pm; other music events occur as announced. Our performers are local musicians who donate their time and talents! Be in touch with questions (404-373-2222 or director@woodlandsgarden.org).
***Please keep in mind that off-site parking may be required for Music in the Garden. Off-site parking options can be found here. Contact director@woodlandsgarden.org with questions.
2025 SCHEDULE (More details about the musicians are here: https://www.woodlandsgarden.org/music-in-the-garden/)

4/27: Mockingbird’s Wing5/4: Charles Absher, Ron Hipp, Cameron Kane and David Leonard5/18: John Cable, Cyndi Craven and George Eckard5/25: Redwine Jam and Harm’s Way6/1: The Nearly Normal String Band6/18: Eason and Gibson
The Music in the Garden Fall program kicks off Sept. 28. See the 2025 schedule link above for more details.

Student Field Trip
2025-05-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA, 30030, United States

Weekend Volunteer Project
2025-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
Come volunteer!

More details and how to sign up here: https://www.woodlandsgarden.org/come-volunteer/

Watercolor Painting Workshop
2025-05-18 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-22 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-20 14:00 - 17:00 | GA
Join us for watercolor painting classes with Jessica Lily, registration required. Come play with the magic of watercolors and join our community as we release expectations, and let the water do the work! Local artist Jessica Lily will guide the group through a step-by-step method.
No experience is necessary. This class is built to give beginners an easy process for a lovely, meditative painting. This class is also great for more intermediate and advanced painters, as we will all learn from each other and incorporate our own unique creativity into our paintings.
More details and required registration here – classes fill up so book now:
https://atlantawatercolorgroup.com/
• April 13: Blue Eyed Grass (sold out)
• May 18: Hummingbird (sold out)
• June 22: Frog
• July 20: Grasshopper
• August 24: Purple Spiderwort Flowers
• Sept 21: Building

Presentation: Climate Change Mitigation
2025-06-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
Join Emily Clarke, Woodlands Summer Intern, as she shares a thought provoking presentation entitled Climate Change Mitigation.
Overview of Presentation: Human activity increases greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to a warming atmosphere and planet, causing many consequences for people and wildlife alike. To decrease emissions, new technologies are in development and may be utilized soon as climate mitigation strategies. Carbon management is one strategy being considered by industries in the U.S. Southeast and will be discussed in this presentation.
Bio: Emily Clarke enjoys working in sustainability and conservation, especially when she can be outdoors. Past positions with AmeriCorps and the National Wildlife Federation have enabled her to explore the wetlands of south Louisiana and mountains in Colorado. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Global Environmental Health at Emory with a focus on Climate and Health.

Creative Roots Artist Showcase
2025-06-28 14:00 - 17:00 | Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
Connect with nature in a whole new way!

Join us for an inspiring artist showcase that celebrates the beauty, power, and importance of the natural world. This family-friendly event brings together local creatives whose work is rooted in nature through painting, sculpture, photography, and more.

Enjoy a unique indoor/outdoor experience featuring nature-inspired art, family activities, and access to scenic walking trails at the venue. Whether you’re an art lover, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend your day, this event will leave you refreshed, inspired, and more connected to the world around you.
If you’re a creator whose work is inspired by nature, we’d love to feature you. Reach out to Maleah.Giles@uga.edu to learn how to get involved.

Singing Workshops: July Series
2025-07-10 18:15 - 20:00, 2025-07-17 18:15 - 20:00 | GA
Join Elise Witt for a singing workshop, Singing for Fun for Everyone! Singers of all levels of experience are welcome. Music reading is not a prerequisite. The cost for this 3-part series is a sliding scale of $45-90. Click here to register.
Arrive at 6:15pm for ab optional Quigong Warmup. The class will take place from 6:45-8:00pm.
Discover, explore, and expand your natural voice with Singing for FUN for EVERYONE. Singers learn songs that explore the vast expression of harmony from around the world. There are also lots of songs in English, including songs from the African American tradition, quirky rounds, food songs, Elise originals, and lots more! Singers of all levels of experience are welcome.
The singing workshop includes body and voice integration, calling in elements of Tai Chi, Yoga, and Alexander Technique, as well as dance, theater, and vocal improvisation to focus on breath and ease of movement.
All of the songs are broken down into easily learnable parts and become thrilling to sing in a group. Even people who think they “can’t carry a tune in a bucket” in no time find themselves part of an impromptu glorious chorus.

Community Yoga School
2025-07-20 10:00 - 11:30 | GA
Community Yoga School is like summer camp for your soul! Join Friendship Yoga for a monthly practice & study series rooted in yoga philosophy, gentle movement, breathwork, and meaningful connection.
📍 Woodlands Garden Pavilion, Decatur
🗓 Third Sundays | 10–11:30am
💛 Suggested Donation: $10–15
🍵 Includes iced tea + community
🌱 Class schedule & themes:
🪷 July 20 – Cultivating Connection: Yoga in Sanskrit means “to yoke”. In our practice, we connect the mind, body, and spirit. We’ll explore embodiment and develop a deeper relationship with our whole selves.
🪷 Aug 17 – Reclaiming Attention: Awareness practice is an essential component of Svadhyaya, or the practice of self-inquiry. We’ll explore the benefits of self-inquiry and put the practice into action with a walking meditation.
🪷 Sept 21 – Rooting into Love: Yoga Ethics: Fundamentally, yoga is an ethical practice before a physical one. We will define and discuss 3 of the “Yamas”: ahmisa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing).
🪷 Oct 19 – Get Grounded: Connecting with self is potent and there are methods to get you there. We’ll add a few tools to your meditation toolbox, including finding your mantra, practicing drishti and more.
What to bring:

Yoga mat
Water Bottle
Notebook
Come as you are!

Children's Bookclub: Storytime and Playtime
2025-07-23 15:00 - 16:30 | Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA, 30030, United States
Join Selah’s Book Club, Bearings Bike Works and Woodlands Garden for a Summer Reading Party! **July’s book club will not be hosted at Woodlands Garden** It will take place at Monday Night Garage’s Courtyard on Wednesday, July 23 at 3pm. Click here for more details.
