London Wellness Group

Please kindly read the following before you RSVP to join Forest Therapy which is Not hiking or social meeting. This is a special Shinrin Roku event for Bluebell season. If you are on waiting list and eager to join, please kindly send a direct message to the organiser.
MEETING POINT: 10:40 AM Hurst Green Station ( RH8 0LL)
Train Suggestion : 10:07 Uckfield train from London Bridge Rail Station to Hurst Green ( arriving 10:38).
No waiting for late comers please.

START & FINISH: Hurst Green Station

DURATION: appx 3 to 4 hours

WALK: required minimum 9 km back and forth from the station to the wood including unpaved tracks and please wear comfortable hiking shoes.

BREAK: 20 mins for a quick lunch, no toilet in the wood but at Hurst Green Station.

WHAT TO BRING: a backpack, a small picnic mat, a light blanket, water and pack lunch or snack. please wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes.

COST: FREE, donation or taken are warmly welcome.

In Japanese, Shinrin means “Forest" and " Yoku" means “Bath", Shinrin Yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or refers to a therapeutic act of connecting with the forest through our five senses and spending time in Nature.
Shinrin Yoku was developed in response to major health crisis and stress problems from japanese industrialisation and urban population in early 80s. Dr Qing Li who is one of the main researcher estimates that we speand more than 90% of our time indoor and which lead into a Nature deficit disorder, negative feelings about life and depression. Since then several studies and research have been conducted with volunteers and the process was further developed into several controlled trials with physiological measurements like blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol level.
Forest bathing is an experience of connection with Nature, in another word, " Immersion"; connecting through our five senses to
scents, shapes, colours , sounds, textures of the forest. Sunlight through the leaves, wild flowers, fresh and clean air can ease our stress, help us to relax and give us a sense of comfort. Forests are beauties and mysteries of the Earth where we can find solace from our weary life. And truly Nature is one of the purest pathway to inner peace 🙏 .

A Special Note from the organiser
This event is Not hiking, social meeting or picnic in the forest, please refrain from using mobile phones, posting on social media and talking to one another during the process. It is a therapeutic act of deep relaxation and a practitioner will guide you to do some grounding meditations and some “ sensory attunement exercises”, so that you can connect to the Forest. Shinrin Yoku can be very simple and delicate yet very effective remedy or healing to our mental and physical health. Please join this event only if you are open and willing to follow the guidance of the practitioner. Please do not RSVP unless you are serious to attend. If you are unable attend, change your RSVP in time for people on waiting list. Repeat No show RSVP may result removal from the Group.
DISCLAIMER:
This is an informal activity and each participant must be over 18 and responsible for their own safety. The organisers or event hosts cannot be liable as a team for any damage, accident, personal injury, fight or inconvenience caused or suffered during the event. However we take complaints seriously and collaborate with the police if necessary.
Despite our effort, care and attention, event details can be changed or altered due to weather, transport and many other factors. Please note that event descriptions are merely in estimation such as time, distance and number of attendees etc ..We may take photos and videos at our events which may include you as for motivational and inspirational purposes. By attending our events you understand, agree, respect all terms of this disclaimer and the countryside code.

IMPORTANCE:
This event requires a participant to be able to walk 4 to 5 Km per hour and please join only if your are medically fit enough. A cancellation may occur in case of heavy rain or snow, transport's information might be changed and please always check any updates and turn on notifications. Please follow and respect the countryside code;

• Leave gates and property as you find them.
• Slow down or stop for horses, walkers and farm animals and give them plenty of room.
• Make no unnecessary noise; do not disturb the residents or frighten farm animals & wildlife and maintain “ Peace & Quiet “ nature of countryside.
• Keep away from machinery and farm animals.
• Please do not feed livestock, horses or wild animals.
• Make sure you keep to the footpaths to help protect crops and
  wildlife.

Please kindly read the following description before you RSVP, change your RSVP in time if you are unable to attend;
MEETING POINTS:
Option 1 ( For Groupsave Tickets )
9:50AM Bridge Station's Ticket Office ( Not underground)
please take the 10:25 train to Edenbridge (Kent) wiith one change at Redhill, see photo below please.
Ticket - Off peak day Return 1/3 off appx £10 with GroupSave or Network rail card. ( ticket price may be changed and please bring cash) .

OR

Option 2 ( For those who drive )
11:20AM Edenbridge Station
The organiser will be driving and waiting from there.
No waiting for late comers please.

HIKE START: Edenbridge Station 11:36AM

HIKE FINISH: Edenbridge Station ( ETA 6PM )

LENGTH & GRADE : 14 to 16km moderate with a mixture of unpaved, paved footpaths and tarmac roads.

PACE: 4 to 5 km per hour with leisurely pace.

BREAK : appx 1 hr and bring own pack lunch,snacks, water, and cash for Groupsave train ticket.

COST: the hike is Free, token or donation are warmly welcome.

RECOMMENDATION: please wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress appropriately to current weather update and bring a backpack, torchlight, pack lunch, sufficient water and cash for GroupSave train ticket.

ABOUT: : Bluebells are England iconic wildflowers, one of the country most loved wildflowers and the UK's woodlands are home to almost 50% of the world's population of the bluebell. They are protected in the uk under the wildlife and countryside Act 1981 and try not to trample them. staffhurst wood is an acient woodland with approximately 130 arces shows one of the best bluebell didplay in Surrey.

GROUP RULES
- All attendances must be RSVP, edit RSVP in time to " Not Going" if you are unable to attend.
- Please treat other members of the group with respect & courtesy, understand the boundaries and consider cultural sensitivity.
- Please refrain from criticisms, personal attacks, harassments, loud voices and smoking including vape during the event.

IMPORTANCE:
This event requires a participant to be able to walk 4 to 5 Km per hour and please join only if your are medically fit enough. A cancellation may occur in case of heavy rain or snow, transport's information might be changed and please always check any updates and turn on notifications. Please follow and respect the countryside code;

• Leave gates and property as you find them.
• Slow down or stop for horses, walkers and farm animals and give them plenty of room.
• Make no unnecessary noise; do not disturb the residents or frighten farm animals & wildlife and maintain “ Peace & Quiet “ nature of countryside.
• Keep away from machinery and farm animals.
• Please do not feed livestock, horses or wild animals.
• Make sure you keep to the footpaths to help protect crops and
  wildlife.

DISCLAIMER:
This is an informal activity and each participant must be over 18 and responsible for their own safety. The organisers or event hosts cannot be liable as a team for any damage, accident, personal injury, fight or inconvenience caused or suffered during the event. However we take complaints seriously and collaborate with the police if necessary.
Despite our effort, care and attention, event details can be changed or altered due to weather, transport and many other factors. Please note that event descriptions are merely in estimation such as time, distance and number of attendees etc ..We may take photos and videos at our events which may include you as for motivational and inspirational purposes. By attending our events you understand, respect and follow all terms of this disclaimer and the countryside code.