testimonials
This was my second time doing the forest bathing with Pat Bavin. For me the second time around was deeper connection and stronger understanding !! I can’t wait until the next time🙏
-Debra
Was aware by reading, of the benefits of Forest Therapy, but really, didn't know what to expect. The experience was just what I needed, shared with 2 close friends after a somewhat trying spring and summer. Peaceful (even the squirrels seemed to observe a level of quiet), informative, delightful and restorative. At first, I was thinking about what i should be doing in response to Pat's guidance.. then my senses seemed to guide me, heart and soul, experiencing the forest - it's strength and wonder and beauty, and connection to me. At one point, after a sharing circle, I felt quite euphoric. Particularly for me, I noticed colours more vividly, tiny details, and the visual beauty of movement throughout the forest. The light drizzle of rain at one point was interrupted by sun breaking through the clouds bathing us all in such welcome warmth and light.....
Pat is very knowledgeable, encouraging and respectful of everyone's forest journey, a perfect guide for this experience. A return to this forest is definitely in my sights. Thanks so much Pat!
-Christine
My second forest bathing experience with Pat was equally enlightening as the first. A wonderful way to reflect, renew the senses and recentre my focus. Thank you Pat.
-Kathleen
I didn't know what to expect. I just new that I didn't want it to be precious where everyone faked 'feeling something". It was the exact opposite. Pat creates such a safe and accepting environment that you are free to explore at your own pace by yourself not being watched but knowing that he is alert to outside interference. The class freed my up so much that I truly felt myself become part of the community of the forest. He is super knowledgeable and there isn't any real woo woo happening Never having felt comfortable being alone I was physically reminded that we are never alone when nature is noticed. This fact opened a door for me that I have been working on for years.. I absolutely loved it and would very highly recommend it to everyone. I am absolutely taking another class!
-Susan
A group of women from our community spent the morning at the Radius Retreat Center with Pat and these were a few of our comments after the walk:
Pat helped us realize to live in the moment and take the time to appreciate our surroundings.
He provided us with a safe and relaxing environment for the Forest Walk. His guidance in appreciating our surroundings, getting in touch with all our senses was greatly appreciated. He taught us to slow down and literally smell the roses. We left the session feeling grounded and thankful to Mother Earth.
The Forest Bathing Walk was not what we expected, however it turned out to be so much more! Pat's expertise encouraged us to stop and notice the unexpected little gifts that nature gives to us and how we can use nature for healing. It was a very beneficial experience and we highly recommend that you take the time to experience it.
-Joyce
I recently enjoyed a Forest bath experience with my husband. As a mental health counsellor the benefits of this time were very evident! My husband, who is a firefighter, also felt the healing power of this practice. Pat is an attuned guide whose knowledge and insight add to the experience. Anyone who is seeking to slow down, enjoy the present moment and immerse themselves in a sense of peace and calm need to go for a forest bath!
-Wendy
I'm exceedingly grateful for this wonderful guided three hour walk with Pat as our very knowledgeable guide. It was exactly the restorative, peaceful reconnection with nature that I needed. I came away from this afternoon feeling focussed and energized.
-Pat L.
Ommmmm! Peace and connection be with you on this magical meditative walk in the forest led by Pat. To say I was moved and inspired is just the tip of the iceberg. My goal is to share this experience with my loved ones. So I will be back ….thank you pat.❤️
Patricia R.
Loved it so much , can’t wait for the spring to do another walk. It opened me in a way like no other. It was a gift that just keeps giving. If anyone has done the walk they understand what I am saying. Thank you Pat for leading the group🙏 very grateful 😊
-Debora B.
“My husband and I recently spent an afternoon with Pat at his Panorama Forest walk site ~ a beautiful location to re~connect with the many wonders that slowing down in nature provides. Pat offers a well thought out and professional approach to a practice that will open your heart and ease your mind ~ we highly recommend you take the opportunity to 'forest bath' with Pat.”
-Glenda
“Bavin reconnected me with the forest and the experience helped put my life and goals into perspective.”
-Paul
“My Forest therapy experience guided by Pat was very calming and enlightening. It was an interesting exercise to slow down and really appreciate the alpine woodland at it's core. There is so much more to just a walk in the woods.”
-Kate
“I've begun a practice of forest bathing since spending an afternoon on a Forest Walk with Pat. It was a life changing experience and while I am finding more and more subtle benefits of the practice, I have begun sleeping through the night. Fourteen years of 'busy mind' has virtually vanished. Thank you, Pat.”
-Judi
“The three hours I spent on a forest therapy walk led by Pat was rejuvenating and uplifting. I learned more about the human connection with the earth and experienced it with all my senses. As I drove away I felt peaceful and more aligned. I am grateful for the unique experience and will carry that clarity forward in my life.”
-Shannon
“Forest Therapy with Pat opened my heart and stilled my mind, a perfect afternoon in the alpine forest. It is a long time since I’ve laid in the grass and watched the clouds roll by or contemplated walking a log across a mountain stream.”
- Christine
“From the first moment you meet Pat, you will be enlightened. As you proceed down the trail, you see things you’ve never noticed before. You will feel better and more mindful with each step. You could spend 4 hours chasing a golf ball around, or you could enjoy yourself, appreciate nature and become truly relaxed. The choice is yours.”
- Ryan
“While I spend a few hours every day outside, I’ve never spent time being mindful like that. It was life changing.”
- Lisa
“It was raining so hard it was like being in a car wash. Others in our group had cancelled however Bavin was game if I was. Let’s go.
Rubber boots, raincoats and many layers and we sloshed off into the woods.
Magical.
Every branch, every tree hanging down had crystal clear droplets of lenses, each holding all the shades of greens and grays. The smells were a vibrant song - mosses, leaves, bark and the occasional stalwart little flower.
We moved so slowly, often I felt as if I was gliding between the rain sheets. Plain old rocks became gems. Fallen trees became ladies and gents of the court, lounging in their gauzy capes. Bavin encouraged an aware pace. Following his example, my slow and gentle approaches held onto the mirages of faerie bridges and entrances to hide holes.
I heard my own breath and the breath and sighs of the trees behind the pouring rain.
We stopped in just the right amount of time, to rest and just be. Sometimes following a path that had delicately and respectfully been agreed on, with the woods- I could feel the welcome. Sometimes just wandering off, knowing Bavin held the space for me to let go.
This is months later I am speaking of that day, with the land, with Bavin.
It was so real , even now my body and mind, all my senses remember and relax into the gifts from the Forest.
If you’ve Forest Walked with Bavin, you know. If not what a wonderful gift to give- first to yourself and then to and with others.
It will be a seasonal gift to myself - a place to go, be and carry forward. To reach in, be quiet, align with Creator God and emerge a finer version of my self in these unusual times
Blessings crisanna
Invermere. BC”
-Crisanna