LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Each month Wild Alabama’s Education & Outreach Coordinator Janice Barrett collaborates with poet, author, and arts teacher Anne Markham Bailey, a certified ANFT Nature Therapy Guide in a day-long Nature Therapy session, what the Japanese call Shinrin Yoku, or literally translated, wood-air bathing, or forest bathing. These sessions are not hikes but rather are opportunities to open into a deep awareness of being — in the forest, in one’s self, and in the shared space.

EVIDENCE-BASED BENEFITS
Studies show that there are many evidence-based benefits of Nature Therapy:

• lowered cortisol, the stress hormone
• lower heart rate
• increased feelings of well-being
• increased optimism

WHAT TO EXPECT
We are mostly in silence and guided in opening the senses so that we can connect to the earth, the water, the trees, and to our own interiority.  The guides offer invitations for connection that alternate with group sharing circles. The session concludes with a final sharing circle and tea service.

Our location in the Bankhead National Forest will be revealed to those who sign up. The Nature Therapy walk is a total walking distance of about 1.25 miles round trip on a trail that is unmaintained, uneven and sloped (gradual downhill most of the  way  in, gradual uphill most of the way out).  The route will be easily doable for most people who hike. 

Bring lunch, snacks, drinking water, a small pad or cloth for comfortable sitting or lying down.  A detailed list of what to bring and directions will be emailed to those who sign up.  Participants in this contemplative forest immersion will enjoy guided meditation, silence,  invitations and suggested techniques for connection to the elements through the senses, deep rest, reflection and tea.  Group size is limited to eight.
No dogs, no smoking, and no guns, please.
For ages 16 and over.  Contact us for arranging a session with  younger participants.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
-Watch this short video by Anne Markham Bailey about Nature Therapy, which she refers to as Forest Bathing.
-Our upcoming Nature Therapy sessions are listed here.
-Interested in a Nature Therapy program for your school, team or family? Reach out!