Forest Therapy and Nature Connection on Hampstead Heath

FULLY BOOKED - please join us another time : )

Forest Bathing, or literally ‘bathing in the atmosphere of the forest’ is a translation of the Japanese practice of "Shinrin yoku". It emerged in Japan in the 1980s as an important preventative health and well-being practice, with many proven health benefits. Although Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing is new; the sense of well-being arising from spending time among trees is as old as time.

Forest Bathing sessions are for small groups led by a Forest Therapy guide, who is bridge between you and the therapeutic benefits of being in nature. The session on the Heath is facilitated by Jo. Jo has led walks for a number of years, guiding groups across England’s green hills, along sunken lanes and wooded acres as a walks leader for the Ramblers and two successful walking groups on Meetup. She’s a trainee guide with Forest Therapy (Global Institute of Forest Therapy).

COST: £5 (Forest Therapy sessions typically cost £15-£25). This event invites a transaction of a different kind: your time and honesty to complete a feedback form at the end of the session : )

LOCATION: Hampstead Heath. The starting point of the session will be emailed to those who commit to attend. There are up to 8 places available.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
For adult humans only; no fluffy companions or little ones.
Sessions may include sitting on the ground, so you need to be reasonably mobile. We will be off main paths so you’ll need sturdy, waterproof boots and lots of warm layers.

SO, WHAT WILL WE BE DOING EXACTLY?
Forest bathing offers a series of invitations to open to the senses and come into being with nature. It invites you to slow down and have a more embodied experience of the present moment. The invitations are facilitated, gentle and different each time. There is no right or wrong way to do them and ultimately it is the nature around us that is our true guide. The practice does not include walking across the Heath, nature identification or bathing in the pools. Come and try it!

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin".
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)