April Forest Therapy Walk

Join Sue Woodward, a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, for a 2-hour immersion on our grounds based on the Japanese technique of Shinrin-yoku, which means “forest bathing.” On these walks, the Forest is the Therapist and Sue is the Guide who opens the door through a process of invitations that include Pleasures of Presence, What’s In Motion, Partnership Invitations and a Tea Ceremony. Participants will be invited to share what they are noticing as their bodies slow down and senses are heightened. The goal is to bathe in the environment of the forest, using all of our senses to experience nature up close.

The purpose of forest therapy is to calm over-stimulation and stress from today’s human-made world of artificial and urban environments that can make our bodies more susceptible to disease. Forest bathing can have a preventative medical effect: when we are surrounded by nature, a feeling of comfort comes over us and our bodies can relax. Lower stress levels improve quality of life and may make falling ill less likely.

The Forest Therapy Walk will be on the trail, which is a moderate level.

Participants should bring their own water bottle, wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes (not sandals). Be prepared with sunscreen and bug spray, depending on the season. These walks are seldom cancelled due to weather, so come prepared. The guide’s motto is, “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”