About Forest-Bathing
Shinrin-Yoku or Forest-Bathing as it is known in the West is a gentle yet powerful practice that takes you on a journey through your senses, and with your whole self, as you connect and explore all nature has to share with you.
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks" John Muir
About Forest-Bathing ~ Nature Connection
Don't worry, Forest-Bathing doesn't involve wearing a swimsuit!
Shinrin-Yoku or Forest-Bathing as it is better known here in the UK put simply is spending time immersing your whole self in nature.
It is a guided, gentle walk where you are offered a series of specially created ‘invitations’ (or exercises) to help you slow down and switch off from everyday life. The walk is designed to support you in becoming fully present, connecting with the natural world around you by using your senses - what you can hear, see, feel and all that arises within you.
For as long as time, we have had a close bond with nature. We lived and survived off the land finding our food and shelter in the natural environment around us. It's only in more recent times that this connection has been forgotten.
You are a part of nature.
The draw back to nature is growing, the curiosity of how we are entwined together is whispering in our ears, reminding us of all that is natural to us. The learnings that can be gained from spending time in nature, the guidance that nature offers us is all around us, waiting to be explored.
By spending mindful time being present in nature you can explore and build your relationship with nature and your self.
It's a magical time amongst the trees.
Bathing in Nature
Oak leaf up close
Mindful Nature Sessions
Slowing down to notice
The Roots of 3 Beech Trees in Cheshire
Wild Flowers
Forest-Bathing Benefits Your Wellbeing
Spending time in nature is a great practice to add to your routine for supporting your mental, physical and spiritual health.
The benefits from a Forest-Bathing Session last long after you've left the trees behind you. You'll find how this time may support you below.
Benefits for the Body:
- improves the length & quality of sleep (walking in the afternoon is better for this)
- reduces tiredness & recharges energy
- reduces blood pressure, lowers the pulse rate & supports metabolic disorders
- boosts the immune system & increases 'natural killer' cells - important in fighting illness
- stress hormones adrenaline & cortisol levels are lowered
Benefits for the Mind:
- reduces depression & anxiety by increasing positive emotions & reducing negative mood states
- helps switching off from the modern world & technology/screens
- increases ability to cope
- improves focus, concentration & memory
Benefits for Self:
- alleviates social isolation
- supports being in the present
- creates a deeper connection to intuition, gaining clarity & insights
- increases creativity (studies showed creative output increases by 60%)
- feeling more grateful & appreciative of what's naturally around you
- experience spiritual enhancement
With my own studies, taken on a group of 5 individuals before and after a 2 hour Forest-Bathing session with me resulted in:
- 24% reduction in anxiety
- 9% reduction in anger
- 34% reduction in fatigue
- 4% reduction in depression
- 26% reduction in confusion
All from spending time with nature!
Join Amanda Forest-Bathing
'In Person' Forest-Bathing Walks with Amanda
You can join Amanda for an in person Forest-Bathing Session at 3 locations in the North West of England:
The Lovell Quinta Arboretum in Swettenham, Cheshire
Biddulph Grange Country Park, in Biddulph, North Staffordshire
"The Edge" Alderley Edge National Trust, Over Alderley, Cheshire
Regular group sessions are held throughout the year at weekends and in the lighter months evening walks as well. A walk introduces you to the practice of Forest-Bathing and shares with you a number of 'invitations' so you can develop and explore your connection with nature.
Forest-Bathing sessions vary from introductory to special, themed sessions. Womens only to mixed groups and there are shorter sessions to help fitting them into busy schedules.
Hear from Paul about his Forest Bathing group experience:
"I often walk in nature but rarely do I immerse myself in nature. Amanda’s guided session allowed me to really slow down and feel part of the forest. Noticing the tiniest details and just being present in it was fantastic. No destination in mind, nowhere to be, no clock watching just you and nature."
Find out more
About upcoming events, further information & read testimonials from previous particpants.
"Nature feeds our soul and brings us joy" Dr Qing Li
Remote Forest-Bathing Sessions with Amanda
You can join me for a remote Forest-Bathing Session in real time from where ever you are - yes really!
We'll gather on Zoom (audio only) and my voice will lead you through the session. All you need to do is be somewhere in nature with phone signal so you can log in.
Hear from Laura about her remote Forest Bathing experience:
"It was fantastic to join Amanda for 'live' Forest Bathing. I have joined her previously for an in-person group session, but this time it was audible and on my own.
I was blown away with how I was yet again able to fully relax and unwind, I felt safe doing it on my own. It was like Amanda was by my side the whole time gently sharing invitations for me to be with nature.
It was a perfect start to my Sunday and set me up for entering the new week with a positive attitude. I would highly recommend to anyone. Thank you very much again Amanda"
Tell me more!
Find out when the next session is, read full information & testimonials from previous participants.
Nature Invitations to explore from home
1-to-1 Nature Wellbeing Coaching with Amanda
A personalised nature wellbeing coaching journey, created specifically for you and the journey into nature you wish to take.
This programme blends Amanda's work beautifully as a Transformation Coach, Forest Therapy Guide and Meditation Teacher.
To begin with we will check-in with your present wellbeing, identifying any areas of inbalance and where you wish to focus your support. We'll gain clarity on your current relationship with nature and build a picture, through meditation and visioning, of your target wellbeing and the connection to nature that you wish to develop.
We'll let the journey flow naturally and we'll dig as deep as you'd like to. Although we'll be focusing on your Wellbeing and relationship with nature there may be other areas of your life that naturally creep in, and if it's supportive to you, we can spend some time working on those too.
Depending on your programme it will involve:
- 1 to 1 coaching in nature (either in person or using voice call)
- nature invitations and guided meditations
- nature based wellbeing practices
- option to work with Cacao, a natural heart opening plant medicine
- whatever else intuitively arises or nature guides us towards!
They'll be exercises for you to do outside of our 1 to 1 sessions so that we can focus our time together on navigating the path ahead.
3, 6 or 9 month support programmes available. Let's start with a free call or walk in person to see how we connect together and we'll take it from there.
Explore Nature Wellbeing Coaching
If you're curious to find out more you can book a free explorer call using the button below
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