What is Forest Therapy?

I like to answer this question with another question: why might you like a guide during meditation, yoga, strength training, tutoring, or prayer? We are allowed to go deeper into a practice when there is someone else with one foot out and one foot in. When we don't have to use the executive part of our brain, it frees us to go elsewhere in ourselves. Give the gift of a guide to yourself in the forest sometime. I believe you'll feel the difference. Here are some more concrete reasons:

Let go of time and be present,  Leave decisions to someone else,  Get out of your head and into senses, Do things you've never thought to do,  Meet edges you wouldn't choose on your own, Share your experiences with others,  Go deeper, Feel part of a community,  Build natural relationships,  Make it a practice.

I suppose my answer to this question would also come in the form of a question. Why do we join groups to exercise, learn, socialize, pray and practice our faith, travel, etc.? Human development and growth does not occur naturally in the absence of other humans.  While solitude in nature is desired and absolutely a part of the Forest Therapy experience, listening to and sharing thoughts, feelings and experiences with others is the mortar for the bricks that are laid during this practice. That being said, private walks in nature are incredibly powerful also, and I do offer private Forest Therapy Walks as a service. You can book an appointment by clicking on the Services link at the top of the page.

Circles are a universal, pan-cultural symbol of unity, inclusivity and the infinite nature of energy. Forest Therapy is a relational practice whose aim is a greater sense of embodiment of ones own wholeness, as well as the greater wholeness and connectedness of all of life on Earth, therefore the circle supports the development of this connectedness of interbeing.

During Forest Therapy you are invited to participate in invitations that support the opening of your five senses to the forest offerings. After each invitation is the opportunity to share what you are noticing. What's important to know about invitations and sharing is that ALL IS WELCOME. This means that if you feel you'd like to modify an invitation to meet a different want or need you have, or if you'd like to share with body movement, song, or just silence rather than words, that is perfectly welcomed. This practice is first and foremost meant to support you in feeling safe and supported, and this starts with choice.

These two terms are often used interchangably. However a comprehensive explanation would be that the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy model of Forest Therapy is slightly different than Forest Bathing (english for Shinrin Yoku) in that it's purpose includes not only mental and physical health benefits, but also the improvement of relationships with the More-Than-Human-World as well as the people we share this planet with and ourselves. See the Forest Therapy Practice page to learn more about Shinrin Yoku and Forest Therapy.