is the practice of spending time in nature and forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness. It is an open-ended practice with no “prescriptions” or expectations of outcomes. Each person will have a unique experience, personal to them.
that typically takes place in a forested area, but can also occur in a garden, meadow, prairie, backyard, or park. The focus is on the journey, not the destination, with guided walks of typically a mile or less, ranging in duration from two to four hours, on a mostly level trail or path. Forest bathing often occurs in small groups of ten or fewer people, but can accommodate larger groups or even a single individual.
by offering a series of invitations to encourage slowing down, becoming present, connecting to the senses, and to awaken joy and wonder. Following an invitation, the group will gather in a circle where the guide will create a safe container for participants to share a response to a prompt, or if they choose, remain quiet and simply listen. Sometimes participants are paired up for invitations or for circle to foster a more intimate experience.
At the end of a forest therapy walk, the guide will host a tea ceremony along with a final sharing circle. This is a time of transition from forest or nature back to everyday life.
Sometimes it takes a few walks before a person can get out of the mind and into the senses to become fully present and connected. This is why forest bathing is a wellness practice meant to be practiced regularly and throughout all seasons.
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