what is forest therapy or forest bathing?

Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided, slow, sensory immersion in forests and other natural environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing,” which just means to take in the atmosphere of the forest (no literal bathing required!) and focuses on the physical health benefits of time spent in the forest. Forest Therapy attains these health benefits but also focuses on the relationships that are cultivated through sensory experiences with nature. Through these relationships, we might experience an array of physical, psychological, and emotional healing benefits. I often use the terms Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing interchangeably.

Forest Bathing is more than just a walk in the woods. In fact, you are sometimes hardly walking at all. We move slowly; we sit; we lie down. We take in all that nature has to offer us, with all of our senses. My role as a guide is to offer ways to engage your senses, and to create a container where reconnection to the Earth, yourself, and others can occur.

A Forest Bathing session starts off with a guided meditation deepening into each of the senses, and then you’ll be led through a series of invitations that offer the opportunity for deeper relaxation and connection with ourselves and the more-than-human world. 

Invitations are open-ended. There is no expectation for what participants should experience or receive. Rather, participants spend time in silence, listening and feeling with a quiet and accepting presence. They become reconnected with their senses and interact with nature in ways that they never thought possible before.

These slow, riveting sessions in the forest typically cover one to two miles at most, are approximately two hours in length, and fit for all ages and physical conditions.  

Developing a meaningful relationship with nature occurs over time and is deepened by returning again and again throughout the natural cycles of the seasons. Forest bathing is best thought of as a practice, similar to yoga, exercise, or daily walking. We need regular, doable, consistent practices to hold us through the uncertainties in life.

Forest Bathing with a trained guide is the best way to fully experience the practice and to understand how to go about it. A guide provides invitations that allow you to slow down, relax, be present, and focus on awakening your senses in a safe and welcoming space. A guide sets the pace so you don’t have to; if you’re alone in the woods, it doesn’t take long to slip back into your “normal” rhythm of fast-paced thinking and doing. Guides are also trained in Wilderness First Aid and choose areas that offer the best forest bathing experience and safety.

health benefits

Many of us instinctively know that time in nature is good for us. A growing body of research has established that spending time in nature can deliver a range of health benefits.