guided forest therapy walks
and retreats

Have you ever noticed how good it feels to be in nature? That’s because nature heals. A growing body of evidence reveals that the simple practice of slowing down the pace of life to experience and savor the beauty all around you helps your mind slow down, too. And when your mind slows down, you’re more able to pay attention, listen, notice what you're experiencing, and receive nature’s healing.

 

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the simple practice of receiving the healing medicine of nature through guided walks in the forest. Our forest therapy walks are gentle, easy, slow, and interspersed with invitations to guide you from the head into the body and the heart. The practice helps you slow down, let go, rest, and wake up to your senses.

 

Whether it’s a walk in the forest, being near water or sitting and staring at the night sky we seem to change. We feel more settled, relaxed, peaceful. We simply feel better because we ARE better. What we feel is REAL! Increasingly it is being explained by science. A growing body of international research validates enhanced well-being after time in nature and we’re beginning to pay attention to it.

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Nature and forest therapy is a growing practice worldwide. Sometimes referred to as forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, the practice was legitimized by the Japanese government in the 1980’s. Alarmed by a spike in chronic illness and disease resulting from increased stress of a booming tech industry, the government invested in a nationwide program to promote health and wellness. Realizing the health benefits of being in the beautiful forests and natural environments in Japan inspired researchers in Japan and other scientists worldwide. Increasingly, studies illuminate the many ways nature and forest therapy support our health and well-being, encourage our healing and ultimately sustain our very being.  Offering nature based therapy in a variety of ways was the primary reason for establishing the ONE Center. 

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I am a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, trained by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. You can learn much more about this evidence based practice by exploring research on their website.

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Register for upcoming Deep Rest Retreat Here!

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Pay online for your Day Retreat:

The non-refundable registration fee is $122, 144, 166 per person. If you’d like to pay online, you can use the Venmo app to send payment if it’s set up as bank to bank transfer to avoid credit card processing fees. Dr. Butterfield’s Venmo user name is Brenda-Butterfield.  When your paperwork and payment have been received, you will receive an email confirming your place in class.

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