Welcome to
BioWise Living
BioWise Living embraces the practice of Biomimicry, offering a profound understanding of how Life works and how we, as a species, can reintegrate into the community of Life on Earth. With a deep appreciation for our planetary home and a humbling respect for Nature's ingenuity, BioWise Living rekindles our relationship with Nature and ignites a sense of purpose. By using the lens of biomimicry, BioWise Living fosters a reconnection with our planet, ourselves, and our earthly companions, enabling us to live out our purpose as an integral part of Nature
Testimonials
Feedback from clients who have enjoyed and benefited from Sue's teachings of biomimicry and forest immersions share their experiences:
A petite powerhouse of passion and knowledge, Sue, met us outside of Knysna to basically blow our minds. She started our forest experience with us seated at a picnic table, the center hole missing an umbrella but that hole became our Sun in her card tableau of Life, the Universe snd Everything - or what she calls The Goldilocks Effect. If science and biology was taught like this, the world would be thinking differently. I learned so much in her half hour lecture - I gave up taking notes on my phone in case I missed something..... And then we walked and explored and marveled got 3 hours with her and later on our own. BioWise living - Nature reconnect and Sue are one person, one encounter, one lecture at a time connecting people, rooting people with the world. Her message is powerful and simple - know it, love it. We were changed.
When I first heard about Sue Swain’s ‘Forest Walk’, I expected just that. A walk in the forest, perhaps a bit of yoga and well, some information about the particular forest we would walk in. Certainly, I was not expecting to be inspired by Sue’s take on the significance of the earth’s relationship with the sun and planets in our solar system. Honing down to the Earth’s systemic structure, Sue captured my attention with her depiction of our water cycle, the value of trees and our planet’s abilities to recycle waste. I had never considered the importance of trees in regulating our environment beyond the common understanding that they are the ‘lungs of the planet’. Trees,fungi and plants in general, are so much more. The intricate yet simple structure of the natural world, from the chemicals around us to the microbes in the soil, is beautiful beyond measure. Everything works together in harmony, and if we could emulate that closed system, it may be that we will be a much happier species. My wish is that everyone can participate in one of Sue’s forest walks or listen to her talk about the earth. You will be enlightened in an unexpected way and your love for our home will increase.
I have spent some time with Sue in the Knysna forest. Her love, respect, appreciation for nature is so obvious that it touched my heart. I looked at trees, fungi, rocks, plants, dead leaves, birds, traces of elephants with new eyes, amazed by the wonders of nature. Before entering the forest, Sue starts by an invitation to sit, listen, ground and reflect on life. She helps putting different elements in perspective: Earth and water, fire, light and cosmic forces, air, oxygen and the role of plants… Leading to the question of our own presence on Earth as human beings, and our responsibility, role, impact on this amazingly perfect and ‘just right’ world. So, it is with a renewed humility, respect and gratitude that I entered the forest and related to her as a wise being. What I like with Sue is that she walks her talk. Her strength lies on the fact that she is aligned: she does not only talk about nature: she IS nature. That is a key quality to address the delicate topic of our relationship to our natural environment. I feel enriched by this visit and inspired to include nature in my professional activity of ‘peace worker’.
Growing up next to a forest, I thought that I was aware and appreciative of its beauty and strength. However, the Forest Immersion Walk with Sue really opened my eyes. Sue is truly inspirational, she shares her knowledge with great enthusiasm and makes you understand the complex interconnection of all life on Earth and the role of the forest within. She made us connect with the magic of the forest, to truly appreciate natures wisdom, beauty and uniqueness. We were so exited noticing the different fungi, plants, trees, birds, insects, scents and sights and understanding how they all interrelate and strengthen each other. Such beauty and balance of life! Ever since the forest immersion walk, I am so much more mindful of our planetary home and of the amazing and magnificent nature that surrounds us. What a gift. Thank you so much Sue and Vala House for this unforgettable experience.
In June I went on a Knysna forest walk with Sue. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sue’s down to earth, care free nature adds to the grounding experience of the walk. I loved her introduction and immediately was in awe of nature and its beauty. It gave me awareness in the moment of how extraordinary our planet is and how wonderfully the forest ecosystem works together which adds to a lovely experience. It helps to be present and fully appreciative of nature and its role in our lives as well as how we can mirror certain learnings from nature to better our lives. I would highly recommend this walk.