The Understory
by Madalyn Rupprecht
Nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative humans. This is the subtitle to “The Nature Fix” by Florence Williams, an investigative book on the science behind nature’s positive effects on the brain. Perhaps this is why, in the midst of a global pandemic that has caused a state of uncertainty, frustration, mourning, and countless hours spent on television and computer screens as news consumption is crucial, humans are seeking comfort in nature.
On a lovely April afternoon of COVID quarantine, I felt in my body that I needed to get out of the house. (Ideally, I would love to go camp out in a forest for a week or two. I would do this virus or no virus. I digress...) I decided to go for a drive through a local state park in my hometown of Maryland. I was listening to 80’s music with my windows down, one arm out the window. The slightest breeze greeted the soft spring sun. I was taking it all in with my mind and body. I wanted to park my car and take a hike, however the amount of people already there was, at first, alarming—not to mention many were not wearing masks, even when coming into close contact with other groups. But it was also beautiful to see this many people walking through one of my favorite spots. I spent a lot of time in this park throughout my youth, and I had never seen it as crowded as it was that April afternoon. Perhaps we are subconsciously aware of the restorative effects of nature. In a time when we all seem to be consumed by an apocalyptic mindset, the only thing that remains certain and constant is the presence of the natural world. It has always been there, but we have too long been ignorant toward the fact. It can teach us so many things and help us in so many ways, if we just go for a walk and listen and feel.
I began work on this ongoing project about a year ago. Things I asked myself/reflected on/wondered were: Where do we see cycles in our lives, or where do they happen on earth? How are they experienced? How does the perception of cycle(s) change from person to person, or from living organism to living organism? I eventually realized that I needed to explore cycles as they exist in nature. And now, this work seems relevant as ever. Since the coronavirus has forced humans indoors, the earth has had some time to heal itself. Now I pose these questions: How can we continue to let nature breathe? Will humans continue turning to nature for healing once the pandemic has passed? Will forest healing become a part of our “new normal” lifestyle here in the US? It is a big part of life in South Korea.
We must exercise empathy towards our earth.
Trees communicate with each other. Let’s try to speak their language.Trees know how to adapt and adjust. Let’s work on our adaptability. Trees help each other when danger is near–LET’S DO BETTER AT HELPING OUR FELLOW HUMANS.
We can learn a lot from trees.
Madalyn Rupprecht is a dancer, choreographer, and journalist from Baltimore, MD. She graduated magna cum laude from Montclair State University with a B.F.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Journalism. She has performed works by Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Kathleen Kelley, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Alwin Nikolais, and Abby Zbikowski, and has performed at venues such as the 92nd Street Y, Jacob’s Pillow, and The Joyce Theater. Rupprecht presented her self-choreographed solo, Pine, at NYU Tisch School of the Arts' 2020 Choreography Seminar. Her work has also been selected to be performed at Montclair State University and Bridge for Dance’s Uptown Rising Performance Series. She held a Public Relations Internship at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the summer of 2019, and has had her work journalistic work published in several newspapers and magazines.
headshot by Jaqlin Medlock Photography
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