connect@foresttherapyelgin.ca
Nature and Forest Therapy, often called Forest Bathing, is inspired by the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku. This is a health promoting, nature connection practice that aims to enhance well-being, relieve stress, and encourage relaxation. It is underpinned by mindfulness principles, encouraging the opening of the senses to the forest atmosphere, slowing down, breathing, and fostering an emotional connection to the landscape. It engages in an effortless attention. It helps us reconnect to our place, the Earth, the other-than-human world, ourselves, and our community. In a time when our lives are overwhelming and over stimulating, this subtle practice grounds us and brings us to a place of balance and connection.
An experienced and well trained Forest Therapy Guide leads you through a natural area providing education on the land as well as carefully worded and timed guided invitation, a series of sensory invitations facilitating explorations in nature. The Forest Therapy Guide holds the space so that you can completely immerse in the experience with the more-than-human world.
While immersed in nature we slow down, tune into our senses and allow for deep connection, introspection, reflection, and sharing. We cultivate the practice of stillness as we focus our attention within ourselves and the natural environment around us. We don’t travel far on a Forest Therapy Walk, as this is about the journey not the distance.
Each participant has a unique experience as each receives the invitations in ways that feel right for them. There is no incorrect way to receive an invitation and our body’s will only go as deep as is comfortable for us. As we cultivate connection to the non-human elements in our natural environment we intuitively connect with ourselves a little deeper.
Nature & Forest Therapy is an evidence-based practice. Studies show that slowing down in nature reduces stress levels and blood pressure and boosts our immune systems. It improves mental health and enhances brain power and creativity. Indigenous peoples have long taught that a strong bond between humans and the more-than-human world is essential for the health of all. Modern science is now catching up with this ancient wisdom.
The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors. A Forest Therapy Guide gently offers a path to the present moment and to deeper levels of attentiveness to the gifts of nature. A specific sequence of invitations helps us shift from our chronically stressed state of coping with the demands of modern life, to a place of calm awareness. There, we can make meaning of our lives and new insights and healing can arise.
A walk is 1.5 to 3 hrs long. It's not a workout. We move slowly and pause often. The guide offers "invitations" to help you rest your mind, slow down, and awaken your senses to each moment unfolding around and within you. Participants branch out for short explorations, solo or in pairs, and then circle up and have an opportunity to share stories. We end with a tea ceremony to receive a deeper experience from a plant from the trail we've been walking and give thanks to the Earth for her gift.
Single sessions scheduled throughout the year at local natural areas. Each session will provide information on the land and plants as well as the guided sessions.
Information provided is based on what can be noticed along the trail in the current season.
Rates: $40-$60 per participant depending on the trail and/or theme of the walk.
Participants: up to 12 participants per Public Walk
Plant Identification, Herb Walks, Lunch in the Woods, & other offerings also available.
Programs are being added every year.
Our most popular running program 8 weekly sessions to reconnect with nature provided each season.
Programs run March through November. Each session is 8 consecutive weeks for 3 hours session each week.
Each 8-week Session is $240*
Savings of 50% off individually booking 8 sessions.
Offered under Park Botanicals, Earth Education focuses on sharing knowledge from the Earth.
Herb Walks
Wild Edibles Series
Plant Identification
Plant Based Workshops (decor, salves, and more)
Public events are run throughout the seasons and can be run for your private groups.
Forest Therapy Elgin partners with organizations to offer a regenerative experience for your members, employees or clients.
Do you offer wellness services or work with people coping with high stress or recovering from illness or injury, and are looking for complementary approaches?
Are you organizing a retreat or team-building day and want something special that everyone can easily participate in?
Are you responsible for workplace wellness initiatives and looking to motivate employees? Meditation and yoga don't appeal to everyone -- but a gentle walk in the forest with a guide offers similar benefits.
Do you serve people who like to get out in nature who may be curious about how they can deepen that experience and connect more with each other at the same time?
I am happy to work with you to custom-design a session or a program to meet your needs.
A final Invitation to Connect with Nature
Along the walk I will forage a plant that is safe to consume and brew an infusion, or tea, for us to physically experience with our now open senses.
Locally sourced organic herbs and/or wildcrafted local herbs blended together for wellness teas and herbal brews. Herbal Brews are blends that are designed for whole body experience and can be used as a herbal tea, facial steam, or in the bath. Tinctures & Extracts are available.
Loose leaf incense made of a collection of seasonal herbs and resins from local lands.
Available soon, medicinal and local herb seeds as well as sacred herbs for offerings and burning.
Artisan hand made local baskets, wreaths, crowns, and alter or home decor made of locally harvested plant materials such as willow.
Using locally cold pressed organic oils*, local beeswax, wildcrafted and/or local organic herbs to infuse healing salves, lotion bars, body & facial butters, soaps, and bath salts with the healing power of the Earth.
*some oils are unable to be produced in Canada and are supplied by a local supplier.