Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku - Spending Immersive Time Under The Canopy of Trees to Reduce Stress and Promote Wellbeing. It’s a nature connection practice that started to become popular in Japan during the 1980’s. Scientific research has been done to measure the healing benefits derived from simply being in a forest or woodland setting in a mindful way. It also gives us a chance to enjoy our forests and green spaces and encourages us to want to take more care of them.
These are some of the benefits reported after just 2 hours of Forest Therapy:
Can help reduce stress, anxiety, overwhelm and depression
Improves and elevates mood
Reduces or normalises blood pressure
Boosts immune system, stimulates NK cells
Has an anti inflammatory effect
Decreases blood glucose levels
Stimulates creative energy
Helps you sleep better
“When we suffer the Earth embraces us, accepts us and restores our energy, making us strong and stable. The relief we seek is right under our feet and all around us”.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Forest Bathing and Mindfulness in Nature is such a simple concept yet can be amazingly soothing and transformative. It helps us to slow down, come into the present moment and just enjoy the natural environment around us. It’s a slow walk around a woodland trail with invitations to explore the environment through mindfulness and relaxation. Forest Bathing is amazingly simple yet powerfully soothing and rejuvenating. Described by one of our participants as an Outdoor Spa for the Mind.
Forest Bathing includes some gentle breathing exercises which bring the additional benefit of inhaling the woodland aromatherapy, including the tree chemicals known as phytoncides which can help to boost our immune system. Monthly sessions are available at Leonardslee all year round. Make a day of it if you can, lots more to see after Forest Bathing. Ticket price includes entry for the whole day!
Forest Bathing at Leonardslee £35 (members 10% discount) Includes entry to gardens and hot drink in the cafe to close the session 12.30-1pm. Please note there is a parking charge for non members. Please see booking link on events page.
Saturday 21st December 10am - 12.30/1pm
(winter solstice, an opportunity to escape Christmas pressures and ground yourself in nature)
Saturday 25th January 10am - 12.30/1pm
Friday 28th February 10am - 12.30/1pm
Saturday 22nd March 10am - 12.30/1pm
Saturday 26th April 10am - 12.30/1pm
Saturday 21st June 10am - 12.30/1pm
Winter Solstice at Dragons Green, previous Forest Bathing experience recommended (private woodlands)
Friday 20th December 10.30am - 1pm £35 by bank transfer. Please contact me for more information.
Winter Wellbeing Walks £20
These walks are one morning and one afternoon a month near Henfield/Partridge Green area. Designed to help boost wellbeing over the winter when it’s not always easy to motivate yourself to get out and walk alone. You’ll be walking in a small friendly group, gently meandering along the hedgerows and country paths exploring the season of winter on the landscape and also with in you. The walks are over a distance of about 5-6km, just enough to help boost our cardio/metabolic health and to keep us warm so that we can have a few stops to practice mindfulness and guided meditation. I supply lightweight folding stools for the seated exercises. Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page if you would like to join me and I will send you the meeting place and parking info for that walk.
The next walk is Saturday 7th December 10am-12pm Henfield
Tuesday 17th December 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Saturday 11th January 10.00am - 12.00pm
Tuesday 21st January 1.30pm - 3.30pm
WOODLAND WELLBEING EXPERIENCE Emma Weaver and Tracy Jouhning @tracyannjouhning
Day Retreats at Oakwood West Estate near Chichester, dates coming soon for 2025.
These retreats focus on reconnecting individuals with nature, promoting harmony and healing. A unique blend of practices for self care and deeper spiritual connection with nature and the changing seasons.
Gentle Tai Chi Chih and Qigong, Mindfulness and Forest Bathing, Bach Flower Remedy Workshop (includes your own unique essence blend to take home for ongoing support) and Yoga Nidra Relaxation.
Small groups 10 max (indoor space for inclement weather and toilets on site).
Nature Therapy, Mindful walks and Forest Bathing for friends, occasions and celebrations
Please contact me to discuss how I can bespoke a special event for your group.
Private sessions available at Leonardslee
10 + or corporate please contact me for a quotation
Guided woodland walks and Shinrin Yoku for small groups/corporate/retreats
Time in nature is wonderful for relieving stress and re energising mind and body.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about the therapies I offer or to book a place on one of my events.
You can also call me or leave a message on 07748617867