forest therapy / forest bathing in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Forest Therapy / Forest Bathing
(Shinrin-Yoku)
“Stand still. The forest knows where you are. You must let it find you.”
– David Wagoner
Forest therapy is a mindful awareness practice that involves reconnecting with ourselves and with the natural world for the mutual benefit of both. The Forest Therapy School describes nature connection as, “a familiarity, a felt sense of kinship with the Earth and every living being. It is moving from a relationship of perceived separation from the natural world to one of communion with the natural world.”
Amid the trees, we belong.
Guided forest therapy walks help you let go of distractions and the busyness of daily life and become more present, so that you can experience the full benefit of being among the trees. Through mindfulness practices in nature, we quiet our minds and expand our awareness so that we are open to receive whatever nature has to offer, however subtle. We slow down so that we notice the richness and wisdom that one moment in time can provide.
Upcoming Forest Therapy Walks
The History
The practice as we know it today stems from a movement out of Japan, known as “shinrin-yoku,” which translates to “forest bath” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.”
In the 1980s, as people migrated to urban areas amidst the tech boom, the Japanese population began to experience an overall decline in health. Scientists noticed a link between health and spending time in the forest. Thus, the Japanese government launched campaigns to encourage its people to enjoy time in natural spaces.
The Benefits
Spending time among the trees offers multiple health benefits, ranging from the physiological to the psychospiritual, including:
Boosted immunity and overall physical health
Improved mood and overall mental health
Better sleep
Reduced stress
Increased social and spiritual connection
The benefits go beyond our mindset when we are in nature. The elements of the forest—the trees, soil, air, and sun—provide healthy organic matter for our physical bodies.
Phytoncides from trees help our body fight stressed and sick cells
Cytokines from composting soil boost serotonin, a mood enhancing hormone
Negative ions released in the air near waterfalls increase the flow of oxygen to the brain providing mental clarity
UV light from the sun helps us produce vitamin D, keeping our bones healthy and reducing inflammation
Private Forest Therapy Walks for Individuals, Couples & Groups
I am based out of Greenville and can travel up to 1.5 hours (one way) to lead walks. Locations 15+ miles outside of downtown Greenville will incur additional travel fees. Typical walks take 90-120 minutes but can be customized, based on your needs. I can also lead forest therapy walks or mini nature experiences as part of larger retreats or events. Reach out for more information on pricing, availability and any other questions.
Things to Know
Forest therapy doesn’t require a dense canopy of trees nestled deep within a nature preserve. You can practice at a suburban park or even an urban greenspace.
And it isn’t physically demanding. Although we refer to them as forest therapy “walks,”
a more accurate term would be a forest “meandering” or “saunter.”
It’s less about doing and more about being.
