Guided Forest Therapy Sessions
(Based on the practice of Shinrin-yoku, or Forestbathing)
"The forest is the therapist; the guide opens the doors" -M. Amos Clifford
"We often forget that we ARE nature; nature is not something separate from us. So when we say that we have lost our connection to nature, we've lost our connection to ourselves" -Andy Goldsworthy
Forestbathing is:
- A guided sensory immersion in the ambience of the forest; re-establishing our connection and relationship with the more-than-human world
- Supporting the wellness and health of participants through a series of guided immersive invitations in forests and other natural settings (see health benefits and research below)
- Guided sensory invitations that establish contact with the present moment and surroundings
- Differs from a typical nature walk or hike, where we might learn about the flora & fauna of the land
- this type of learning, while beautiful, is a cognitive task; forestbathing is not a goal-oriented hike with an objective or naturalist/nature information tour; it is a slow-paced sensory immersion
- Offered in small groups (minimum 2; max 8) and/or as an individual service to current SSY clients
- Approximately 2-2.5 hours; ends with tea ceremony (herbal tea only; caffeine free)
- Forest Therapy Guides acknowledge that the healing contract exists between the participant and the forest; guides are largely agenda-free and are there to provide invitations for the participant to connect/re-connection/remember their relationship with the more-than-human-world
- Not a replacement for medical or mental health supports; guides are not therapists in this role
- Sessions are offered under my Provisional Certification as a Forest Therapy Guide: training is through The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)
Land Acknowledgement: Leelanau County
From Leelanau County Conservancy: "We acknowledge the waters and lands the Leelanau Conservancy cares for and owns are located on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg—the Three Fires Confederacy of the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi peoples. Since time immemorial, the Anishinaabeg have lived, worked, honored, and respected these lands. We further acknowledge that the land known today as Leelanau County is comprised of lands acquired under the 1836 and 1855 treaties between the United States and the Ottawa and Chippewa Nation of Indians. Our recognition of the full history of the land we cherish and work to protect is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those on whose ancestral lands we reside. We give thanks to the generous care with which the Anishinaabeg, and those of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, have given and continue to give to this land and our Leelanau community."
https://leelanauconservancy.org/land-acknowledgement/
Stay tuned for Spring 2024 dates!
Small groups (minimum of 2, max 8)
Dates & Times (2-2.5 hour sessions):
Stay tuned for Spring 2024 dates!
Locations:
Leelanau County and Grand Traverse County
Session details and location provided 24 hours prior to session AND after registration forms are received
Registration closes 24 before walk start time
Locations may include any of the following:
-15 trails tended by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Service**Park Pass Required
-26 trails/nature areas tended by Leelanau Conservancy
-Various sites tended by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
To register for a Guided Forestbathing Session, complete both steps to secure your spot:
Small groups (minimum of 2, max 8)
Dates & Times (2-2.5 hour sessions):
Stay tuned for Spring 2024 dates!
Locations:
Leelanau County and Grand Traverse County
Session details and location provided 24 hours prior to session AND after registration forms are received
Registration closes 24 before walk start time
Locations may include any of the following:
-15 trails tended by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Service**Park Pass Required
-26 trails/nature areas tended by Leelanau Conservancy
-Various sites tended by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
To register for a Guided Forestbathing Session, complete both steps to secure your spot:
Step 1: **Register here!**
Step 2: First-time Clients: Complete the two Registration Forms below (must be received 24 hrs prior session in order to receive walk details and location)
Step 2: First-time Clients: Complete the two Registration Forms below (must be received 24 hrs prior session in order to receive walk details and location)
health_questionnaire_gfbs.docx | |
File Size: | 442 kb |
File Type: | docx |
participation_waiver_gfbs_ssy_kr.docx | |
File Size: | 445 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Additional Forestbathing inquires? Contact Kristen directly by clicking HERE!
"As the Forest heals the person, the person comes to be in relationship with the Forest and, rooted in that relationship, is likely to become a caretaker of forests and the land in general. This may also be described more simply as a process of remembering how to love. Perhaps more mystically, our Story is that the Forest enjoys, is encouraged by, and responds to the love it receives. At its deepest level, people and forests begin understanding their intimate connection to and sense of interbeing with each other." -ANFT Training Guide
Additional Forestbathing info: Research, books, and articles:
- Articles on Forestbathing:
- Books on Forestbathing:
- Website on Health Benefits:
- Research on Phytoncides and Health Benefits:
- Effects of Forest Environment (Shinrin-Yoku/Forestbathing) on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention-the Establishment of Forest Medicine (see file below)
- Effect of Phytoncide from Trees on Human Natural Killer Cell (NK cell) Function
- Effect of Forestbathing on Human Immune Function
- Effects of Phytoncide on Immune Cells and Psychological Stress of Gynecological Cancer Survivors: Randomized Control Trial
- In conclusion, phytoncide fragrance reduces stress, increases the number of NK cells and their family even in a nonforest environment, and improves innate immunocytes in gynecological cancer survivors; parasympathetic nerve activity and cortisol hormones play critical roles in this process. That is, a phytoncide essential oil helps to stimulate changes in immunocytes' mobility by affecting the human nervous and endocrine systems, thereby providing relief for psychological stress among cancer survivors who previously had cancer cells.
establishment_of_forest_medicine.pdf | |
File Size: | 185 kb |
File Type: |
How to connect with mental health supports:
- If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
- If you or someone your know is experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 988
- Crisis support: text "HOME" to 741741 (www.crisistextline.org/texting-in)
- MI Warm Line: Peer mental health support specialists: 7 days a week from 10am-2am: 1-888-733-7753
- Traverse City regional crisis support via NLCMH FAST Team: 1-833-295-0616
- Find a therapist: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
- Michigan Black Therapy Fund: https://www.miblacktherapyfund.org
- LGBTQ-specific helpline: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
- OK2SAY (click here for live link): Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. Tips can be submitted 24/7
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