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Forest Therapy Elgin, Forest Bathing, Wellness Walk, Nature Walk, Hiking

Welcome to the original Forest Therapy experiences in Elgin County offering
Nature-based Therapy since 2014 &  Forest Therapy by a certified Forest Therapy Guide since 2020


Stepping into Wellness with Nature

You are here
because you already love the forest, rivers, land, and lakes;
or because you need to de-stress;
or because you’ve heard about all the health benefits that time in nature provides;
or because this is simply the perfect getaway for just you.
Maybe all of the above are true.

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Image of the forest

Our Services

Partnering with the Sparta Lavender Farm

Now partnering with the Sparta Lavender Farm to host Forest Therapy Session in the 40 acre Carolinian Forests surrounding the Sparta Lavender Farm. Forest Therapy is an evidence based practice of awakening your senses and bathing in the atmosphere of the forest. Forest Therapy is also a therapeutic approach to treating daily stress, pain management, as well as processing grief & trauma. 

Banner image for the Mindful Forest Immersion at the
Woman Alone in Forest

What is Forest Therapy?

Nature and Forest Therapy, often called Forest Bathing, is inspired by the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku. This is a health promoting, nature connection practice that aims to enhance well-being, relieve stress, and encourage relaxation. It is underpinned by mindfulness principles, encouraging the opening of the senses to the forest atmosphere, slowing down, breathing, and fostering an emotional connection to the landscape. It engages in an effortless attention. It helps us reconnect to our place, the Earth, the other-than-human world, ourselves, and our community. In a time when our lives are overwhelming and over stimulating, this subtle practice grounds us and brings us to a place of balance and connection.

An experienced and well trained Forest Therapy Guide leads you through a natural area providing education on the land as well as carefully worded and timed guided invitation, a series of sensory invitations facilitating explorations in nature. The Forest Therapy Guide holds the space so that you can completely immerse in the experience with the more-than-human world.

While immersed in nature we slow down, tune into our senses and allow for deep connection, introspection, reflection, and sharing. We cultivate the practice of stillness as we focus our attention within ourselves and the natural environment around us. We don’t travel far on a Forest Therapy Walk, as this is about the journey not the distance.

Each participant has a unique experience as each receives the invitations in ways that feel right for them. There is no incorrect way to receive an invitation and our body’s will only go as deep as is comfortable for us. As we cultivate connection to the non-human elements in our natural environment we intuitively connect with ourselves a little deeper.

Image by Sebastian Unrau

Benefits

Nature & Forest Therapy is an evidence-based practice. Studies show that slowing down in nature reduces stress levels and blood pressure and boosts our immune systems. It improves mental health and enhances brain power and creativity. Indigenous peoples have long taught that a strong bond between humans and the more-than-human world is essential for the health of all. Modern science is now catching up with this ancient wisdom.

Forest

Why a Guide?

The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors. A Forest Therapy Guide gently offers a path to the present moment and to deeper levels of attentiveness to the gifts of nature. A specific sequence of invitations helps us shift from our chronically stressed state of coping with the demands of modern life, to a place of calm awareness. There, we can make meaning of our lives and new insights and healing can arise.

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Forest

What to Expect

A walk is 1.5 to 3 hrs long. It's not a workout. We move slowly and pause often. The guide offers "invitations" to help you rest your mind, slow down, and awaken your senses to each moment unfolding around and within you. Participants branch out for short explorations, solo or in pairs, and then circle up and have an opportunity to share stories. We end with a tea ceremony to receive a deeper experience from a plant from the trail we've been walking and give thanks to the Earth for her gift.

Meet Your Guide

Ashley Park is a Holistic Wellness & Reproductive Practitioner with training as an Herbalist, Reflexologist, Reiki Practitioner, Forest Gardener, and Certified Forest Therapy Guide.


With over 20 years of working with vulnerable individuals in Mental Health, Addiction, Corrections, and Development organizations with children, youth , & adults, Ashley has experienced the systemic and cultural barriers to the needs of the community. Wanting to be part of the prevention and solution, she now creates herbal-based self-care and medicinal products from organic, locally sourced products for her family, friends, and clients. She has recently opened her doors to a private in-home practice offering individualized services custom to her client's constitutional needs. With her energetic elemental worldview, she is able to assess and understand imbalances within a person and guide them through lifestyle changes to begin to bring balance back to the body, mind, and spirit of the individual. 

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She was born and raised among the sumacs on hillsides in St Thomas Ontario and exploring the sand cliffs of Lake Erie and hopes to support others in healing the Earth, and themselves through nature. 

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Working With the Best Clients and Partners

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How to get involved:

1

One-on-One 

Private sessions are available for those wanting an individualized experienced. This is a great complementary modality to add to your treatment and/or rehabilitation plan. We can work together to incorporate nature therapy into your routines and combine modalities or have this a little extra.

2

Join a Public Event

Every month there are nature-based therapeutic experiences offered. Forest Therapy Sessions, tea mediations, flower essence experiences, and partnered events are all great ways to explore the natural world and deepen your connection with nature and your community. 

3

Book a Guide

I offer customizable opportunities for your event, group outing, or corporate wellness event. Whether it's a mindful retreat, group of friends, or employee wellness day, I can provide your group what they need for the day, the season, or the year.  

Reach out an book your event today!

CONTACT US

5196707264

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