FAQ
🌲 What is Forest Therapy?
Forest Therapy is based on medical research between the interaction of nature and humans which the Japanese started studying in 1982, with Germany and the USA also becoming very involved in recent years. The fact that we all have ancestors that made their home within nature resonates today in our DNA, known by the term Biofilia. We are now living in a highly stimulated, artificially intelligent, urbanized world, so to counter balance that energy, Forest Bathing is simply a very slow moving experience with guides creating invitations to open doors within the forest to connect our senses (up to 13) with the many offerings of nature to slow us down and calm the mind. We use the word “embodied” which means to just let our body wander freely and allow the mind to follow along, much like your carefree childhood days of natural exploration. These walks are 3 – 3.5 hours and less than 1 km in length.
🌲 What do you mean by the word “Therapist”?
The use of the word "Therapist" isn't a suggestion that we need therapy. We refer to the Forest as being the therapist due to the array of natural elements that our senses love to interact with when a guide offers an invitation or suggestion that will align our senses to the treasures of a natural site. When you slow down the mind calms, allowing you to reset the brain and open your senses which will create a variety of health benefits, gratitude and new outlooks.
🌲 I have spent my life in the forest, so why would I bother to do a guided forest walk?
I have lived all my life in the Canadian Rocky mountains, where many friends and peers have sought a similar lifestyle and are looked upon by others, and also feel so themselves, to be seasoned or experts of mountain culture, and rightly so. As a result, a regular question or statement I hear is “I have fished, hunted, hiked, biked, climbed, skied, and camped a lot, so why should I do a Forest Therapy walk?” I often use the idea of a new pie recipe that will assure you of a flavor not yet experienced, even though you have had many pies. Forest Therapy is also like a new recipe when a guide creates and offers invitations that will open doors for you to step into the forest and enjoy your own connection to nature’s restorative gifts when shared by you and your senses. It is an exciting recent practice that will resonate with people of all ages and abilities.
🌲 Am I going to be able to keep up while doing a forest walk?
The forest trails that I have developed meet the design criteria necessary for easy, gentle sloped walks. The biggest challenge I witness among clients is whether they can slow down to the pace I set. With a typical trail being less than one kilometer long, you aren’t going to have an experience that is more aggressive like hiking. The Panorama trail does have some small hills. Even though we will be going very slowly, those that question their ability to traverse these slopes may prefer the flat trail of Radius Retreat.
🌲 What do I need to wear? Should I bring a day pack with a lunch?
It’s good not to wear your Sunday best outfit, as we may be lying on the ground or spending time on all fours. Wear what you would while out camping or for a walk in the woods, so be aware of the weather and dress accordingly. A day-pack is valuable for an extra layer on cool days or thinner shirt in summer, along with sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, water, and ball cap. A snack is a good idea, but you won’t be in one spot long enough to enjoy a full lunch. For shoes, a pair of running shoes or light hiking boots is perfect.
🌲 What about hazards, is there anything to be concerned about?
Certified guides have specific training and many, like me, have had lots of experience in the forest and are familiar with local hazards. Part of our training includes the requirement of Wilderness First Aid along with an emergency response plan. The need of any of this is minimal as we are located close to a town or resort and we are not engaging in anything dangerous with a forest walk. We are in a mountainous region so we have such things as bears in the area but we have methods to monitor them and will go elsewhere if necessary, plus we do talk about how to handle any encounters. Land forms such as cliffs, fast running creeks, avalanche paths, etc. are considered in trail and site design. Come, relax and enjoy the wonders of nature.
🌲 what are the health benefits of forest therapy?
This practice originated in Japan, where it is called Shinrin Yoku or Forest Bathing. Cone and needle trees (conifers) produce an organic compound called phytoncides which help ward off threatening bugs and fungi. In 1982, the Japanese started researching the benefits for humans when bathing in the phytoncides of the forest and were astounded to discover:
reduced stress and anxiety
happy heart - lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, increased heart variability
less mental activity, offering improved clarity, memory, and less “Busy Brain”
improved sleep and mood
immune system strengthening
increased and improved natural killer cells (white blood cells) to fight cancer, infections and viruses
🌲 how can i find out about upcoming walks?
You are invited to like my page on Facebook and sign up for email newsletters, as I occasionally send out notifications when there are spots available in an upcoming walk. I also encourage you to contact me directly since I wont be sending out notifications via email and Facebook for every walk I do.