What weāre about
š± Unplug & recover the peace of presence with Forest Therapy.
Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land.
Itās time to make peace with your body and mind.
If youāre looking for a gentle way to naturally balance your nervous system, shed the emotional heaviness of pandemic life and feel truly present, alive and at peace again, this is the group for you.
I'm Jess, ANFT Certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guide and IIN Certified Holistic Health & Wellness Counselor, Iām on a mission to help busy people living in urban (and suburban) environments recover peace in the present moments.
We think we have to drive far away from the city to really immerse ourselves in nature (and claim the numerous health benefits of doing so) but the truth is, we can reap the same health benefits by working with the local green spaces in our own backyard and local parks and neighborhoods.
Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of āForest Bathing.ā In Forest Bathing, people spend time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness.
In Forest Therapy, people are guided through a clearly defined sequence of invitations to slow down, allow the senses to open, and experience the environment to deepen the reciprocal relationship between participants and the forest. This supports the wholeness and well-being of both. These Slow Walks in the Forest are typically a mile or less long and fit for all ages and physical conditions.
Invitations are open-ended. There is no expectation for what participants should experience or receive. Rather, participants spend time in silence, listening and feeling with a quiet and accepting presence. They become reconnected with their senses and their innate creative potential is tapped, which allows the imagination to awaken.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Edge of Autumn ā Equinox Forest Bathing at The Nature InstituteThe Nature Institute, Godfrey, IL$35.00
š Join me for Equinox Forest Bathing at The Nature Institute š
Twice a year, the world finds balance between light and dark in equal measure. The Autumn Equinox is a reminder that natureās rhythm is always shifting, always offering us a chance to pause and notice where balance shows up in our own lives.This guided Forest Bathing walk at The Nature Institute is an invitation to mark this moment with intention. We'll be slowing down, tuning into the subtle signs of fall, and carrying forward a sense of steadiness into the season ahead.
Join Certified Forest and Nature Therapy Guide Jess Thenhaus for a guided walk through The Nature Instituteās private trails. Through gentle, sensory-based invitations, youāll connect with the shifting light, the early color change, and the grounding energy of this seasonal threshold.
šļø $35 per participant
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UPWhat to Expect
- A slow, mindful walk designed to awaken all your senses.
- Guided sensory invitations to notice the signs of autumnās arrival.
- Space for reflection on balance, change, and the months ahead.
- Connection with a community of like-minded participants.
- A closing tea circle to integrate the experience together.
## Natureās Invitation:
Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, this is not a hike but a leisurely immersion in the āmore than human world.ā Youāll leave feeling grounded, restored, and deeply attuned to the rhythm of the season.
## What is Forest Bathing?
Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing, this experience encourages deep relaxation and connection with the natural world. This is not a strenuous hike, but a leisurely, mindful walk designed to help you de-stress and find peace in natureās rhythms.
Step away from the city, breathe in the fresh autumn air, and discover the rejuvenating power of nature.
