“Watching the wonder of a dewdrop clinging on a tree leaf in the early morning sunlight can give us an ethereal thrill and at one time awaken the elapsed compass of our inner child.”
- Erik Pevernagie
wonder & wAnder
embodied
Embrace the opportunity to engage in moments that can never be replicated as you go slow with the help of a guide. Society demands so much of us that it's rare to have true moments of wonder as you encounter unique elements in a small ecosystem while you are encouraged to wander - physically or mentally - in a series of invitations that may connect you more deeply to yourself and the natural surroundings of that particular blip in time.
“A free spirit lives a free life, not bound by rules but guided by wonder, and in their wake they inspire others to keep their inner child alive, fearless, forever curious.”
- Julieanne O'Connor
guided Forest Therapy walk
A Forest Therapy session embraces wonder and wander in a sensory experience in the natural surroundings of the retreat center. Val, certified by ANFT, is your guide to slowing down which can be difficult for us in our fast-paced society. A guide works in partnership with the more-than-human world to accompany and support others on the journeys through which they encounter and embody the whole of who they are.
What is Forest Therapy?
This originated in Japan as "Forest Bathing" or "shinrin-yoku" in the 80s when the government recognized an increase in health problems brought about by the intensity and demands of their urban work environment including such aspects we all know well like lighting that changes our circadian rhythm as well as structures of our work lives. They conducted much research and realized that humans in the urban world were disconnected from the indigenous land and nature found more commonly in other parts of their country. In this research, they discovered that trees emit phytoncides to protect the forest and when humans are in this type of environment that improves NK (natural killer) cells. If you want to learn more about this, this site does a nice job of the scientific explanation.
Val's connection and inspiration of the Japanese culture and the connection to the land stems from eight immersive travel experiences as well as a childhood venture for several years. The impact of seeing and feeling a society that embraces the natural world was an impetus to founding the retreat center and becoming a certified guide. ANFT, Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, is an international accrediting organization that has developed their own standard practice inspired by the Japanese.
Here's another resource from PBS – Windows to the Wild episode.​
questions / overview
This is NOT a naturalist walk. We do not identify names of species we encounter. We can take a picture and look it up later. This is intended to keep our brains in the mode that is enhancing our senses rather than a rational / science naming which can break you out of the other mode.​
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This is NOT a hike. There is not a long trail with a beginning and an end destination where we are focused on the pace and rhythm rather than our surroundings. In fact, previous participants who are hikers commented that they have never had such an intense interaction with nature in the going slow process.
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Why do I need a guide? Getting into nature is something that we may be able to do on our own like taking a walk in a nearby park or even daily dog walks. However, it's often hard for our human brains to turn off our thinking and our tendencies even to be fast-paced or distracted by the urban environment or technology available at our fingertips. Val as your guide will help keep track of time so you don't have to and will provide you with a series of invitations during the process that will help focus you on a particular task. The guide helps open the door and the Forest is the therapy / therapist as you 'bathe' in all that you encounter.
The typical time for a session will be a start in the morning based on the particular situation. Walks that start at 9 or 9:30 am usually end around lunch time. Solo and Duo/Couples retreats are organized for you to have a picnic lunch at the end of the walk in the forest above the river. You don't have an appointment to get to while you are on a retreat so there is flexibility and an organic quality to this nature immersion experience.
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Average or basic mobility is the general requirement to be able to move at a slow pace. There is an elevation change during the walk so you should expect to go down a sloping hill and then eventually walk back up. Accommodations can be made for limited mobility although not all aspects featured in pictures such as the river area may be fully accessible in those cases. The most important component is to be able to have the time to just sink in where you can smell the surrounding air, listen to the various sounds, and engage all senses. Here you have permission to feel childlike in your wonder of the world around us.
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Make sure to bring closed toed shoes that are comfortable for walking. Hiking shoes are not necessary, but if you prefer those for any loose gravel or rocks by the river that is a good option. Even in the summer, it's helpful to wear long pants and socks, comfortable shirts or even layers, and insect repellent. If you are infatuated by rocks, make sure you have pockets or a tote to carry some back to camp.
Wildlife First Aid certification is required for guide certification. There are minimal elements to be aware of during this walk such as loose ground, gravel, rocks and poisonous plants that will be identified (like poison ivy that may be on an edge of a trail, but avoidable). All attendees will be venturing at your own risk and waive liability in documents before the retreat.
"Take two hours of pine forest and call me in the morning" also discusses the need to put away phones and get into nature to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and more.
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Tips for an aging brain include Be Social!, Engage in New Experiences that challenge your way of thinking and allow for sense of Wonder, Don't Multitask - put the phones away, Eat Healthy Real Food.... and more in a delightful conversation.
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Scientific reasons support the philosophy and methodology of the Camp and Creativity workshops. Learn more listening to NPR's On Point with Tom Ashcroft original airing July 24, 2015.
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"Forest Bathing: A Retreat to Nature can boost Immunity and Mood" – Allison Aubrey
ask about a homestead immersion session
One of the greatest benefits of an immersion in this homestead farm setting is discovering a new pace and connection to the cycle of a day or even the cycle of the ecology from the donkeys to the chickens to the compost to the garden, to the saplings and mature trees, to the seasons. Each season provides a different opportunity to seize so make sure you consider this in your planning.
If you are seeking a learning experience typically as a solo at a crossroads, this is a good option for you. Depending on how long your retreat is scheduled will indicate the type and level of immersion. Options include daily 'chores' of the care and feeding of animals morning and evening, physical activities such as manure/compost and possibly gardening from seed to harvest or nourishing the soil for next planting. An entire retreat can be customized around this.
Each participant will be encouraged to interact socially with the animals from petting, walking, or grooming the donkeys to the happenstance of sitting down outside and have a cat request their lap. This story of rural life is different than the naturalist or forest therapy sessions as it pertains to specific routines and sustenance of people and land.
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"YOU HAVE TO GET LOST BEFORE YOU CAN BE FOUND."
Jeff Rasley