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The Lineage of Forest Bathing, Forest Therapy and Shinrin-Yoku
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The healing way of Shinrin-Yoku is the medicine of simply being in the forest. Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese term, directly translates to "forest bathing" in English. It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine. The practice was specifically developed to help curb their high-stressed, overworked culture in Tokyo. Why was nature their answer? Nature is a highly revered aspect of the Japanese way of life. While Tokyo is currently (in 2018) considered the most densely populated city in the world at 36 million, Japan itself is made up of 60% forest, leaving their outdoor landscape to literally shape their world.
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Forest Therapy is a practice inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, but designed for our culture here in the United States. Similarly to the Japanese, we live in a highly stressed, fast-paced society. However, we do not revere our outer world as collectively as the Japanese people. One of the main reasons for the existence of Forest Therapy is to build and maintain a deep relationship with the more than human world with the knowing that when we develop connection, we tend and care for that connection. We begin to place a higher value on the natural landscapes that have been preserved for us by wise peoples that came before our time here on earth. Amos Clifford founded the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs in 2012, combining elements of the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku with four decades of his experience in wilderness guiding, Zen meditation, psychotherapy, educational consulting and nature connection mentoring to create the framework for Forest Therapy.
To Hike and Heal is to Practice Forest Therapy
From the Owner: The words "Hike and Heal" were, to put it simply, 'downloaded' into my awareness one day as I was walking outside in Madison, WI trying to figure out next steps in my life. I had just moved south from my hometown of Green Bay after working in Door County for 7 years as a facilitator of adventure education, recreation and leadership programming. I was still working for the same company trying to sell programs in Madison, doing marketing and occasionally commuting back to facilitate. I remember the feeling I had driving to my new home after time spent outside helping people become better versions of themselves. I felt lost coming home to a place where I wasn't doing that anymore - where I was spending most of my time indoors on the computer. I had loved my job with all of my heart and soul but knew being so far removed physically from Door County would make it challenging to sustain for all involved. I needed to make a change, but was hesitant to jump into teaching full-time in the public schools for which I was trained. For 7 years I worked with teachers trying to help them solve problems in their place of work between colleagues and amongst students. I heard their stressed-out cries and need for change in the system. It didn't seem like an easy transition from work I was so passionate about and a schedule I could make myself.
Meanwhile, I was engaged to be married to a wonderfully supportive and loving spouse who also happened to suffer from chronic pain, needing my role in partnership to double as caretaker when pain was at its highest. I was lost and needed answers. Being surrounded by 5 state parks and over 200 miles of shoreline for 7 years was something I tried hard not to take for granted. Now I was in a "big" city that I had to connect with that didn't seem to have those luxuries. Luckily, the UW Arboretum was a five minute walk away from home. It was where I would go to find answers. I would walk and ask questions to the trees, insects and animals, trying to figure out what to do next. One day on my way there, I heard "HIKE AND HEAL" as if someone was screaming it to me in my head. To hike and heal - to be outside engaged in all of my senses - was what allowed me to 'become whole' again, which is exactly what the word heal means. Natures answers eventually led me to the Madison Metropolitan School District where I currently work full-time as a Physical Education and Mindfulness Teacher for Kindergarteners, 1st graders and 2nd graders. If I didn't go into the schools, I wouldn't have made the connections I did to continue on this journey to create a business around the practice of Hike and Heal. Similarly to the words downloading into my head, I came across Amos Clifford's ANFT website one day and it was like a huge puzzle that effortlessly came together. Hike and Heal is Forest Therapy. It is what helped me come to peace with myself, my relationships and keep a positive outlook on life. It continues to be my number one form of self-care, if even to go out in my backyard for a 10 minute sit spot. I need this practice to be whole.
When you experience a guided Forest Therapy walk with me, our practice together will be rooted in gratitude because of how my story was woven together. We will engage in a series of sensory invitations that will allow us all to connect deeply with nature, leaving space for wonder, creativity and imagination as we play mindfully outside together. It is not uncommon to laugh, cry with joy and to grieve on a 2-3 hour guided walk. We welcome these forms of expression and practice reciprocity, giving back to the earth while also receiving.
To be transparent, I am not currently a formally trained or certified ANFT guide. I have read many books, practiced with trained guides, feel called to this work and know that helping others develop a deep connection to nature is a lifelong process that will continue to evolve into something that benefits the community. Those credentials will come with time. If having a certified guide is important to you, I will happily connect you to one here in the Madison area -- just reach out.
Meanwhile, I was engaged to be married to a wonderfully supportive and loving spouse who also happened to suffer from chronic pain, needing my role in partnership to double as caretaker when pain was at its highest. I was lost and needed answers. Being surrounded by 5 state parks and over 200 miles of shoreline for 7 years was something I tried hard not to take for granted. Now I was in a "big" city that I had to connect with that didn't seem to have those luxuries. Luckily, the UW Arboretum was a five minute walk away from home. It was where I would go to find answers. I would walk and ask questions to the trees, insects and animals, trying to figure out what to do next. One day on my way there, I heard "HIKE AND HEAL" as if someone was screaming it to me in my head. To hike and heal - to be outside engaged in all of my senses - was what allowed me to 'become whole' again, which is exactly what the word heal means. Natures answers eventually led me to the Madison Metropolitan School District where I currently work full-time as a Physical Education and Mindfulness Teacher for Kindergarteners, 1st graders and 2nd graders. If I didn't go into the schools, I wouldn't have made the connections I did to continue on this journey to create a business around the practice of Hike and Heal. Similarly to the words downloading into my head, I came across Amos Clifford's ANFT website one day and it was like a huge puzzle that effortlessly came together. Hike and Heal is Forest Therapy. It is what helped me come to peace with myself, my relationships and keep a positive outlook on life. It continues to be my number one form of self-care, if even to go out in my backyard for a 10 minute sit spot. I need this practice to be whole.
When you experience a guided Forest Therapy walk with me, our practice together will be rooted in gratitude because of how my story was woven together. We will engage in a series of sensory invitations that will allow us all to connect deeply with nature, leaving space for wonder, creativity and imagination as we play mindfully outside together. It is not uncommon to laugh, cry with joy and to grieve on a 2-3 hour guided walk. We welcome these forms of expression and practice reciprocity, giving back to the earth while also receiving.
To be transparent, I am not currently a formally trained or certified ANFT guide. I have read many books, practiced with trained guides, feel called to this work and know that helping others develop a deep connection to nature is a lifelong process that will continue to evolve into something that benefits the community. Those credentials will come with time. If having a certified guide is important to you, I will happily connect you to one here in the Madison area -- just reach out.
Upcoming Forest Bathing Events
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On Your Own - Virtual Walk
2024 Retreats
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Hike and Heal's Layers of Forest Therapy
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Layer 1: Tap into Forest Therapy
Length of Time: approx. 60 minutes Event Title: Hike, Heal & Hum Description: Be introduced to three forms of preventative, holistic self-care. Forest Therapy, Yoga & Sound Healing. Even if you have experienced one, two or all three of these wellness modalities before, the sequence is unique and creates space for personal growth and an opening of awareness. Time of Year Offered: Summer | Pop-Up Events |
Layer 2: Retreat into Forest Therapy
Length of Time: approx. 1-3 hours Event Title: Retreats (all Hike and Heal Retreats include this practice) Description: Each retreat is different and offers a variety of self-care practices, including Forest Therapy. Typically our retreats include yoga, sound healing, Reiki, healthy meals and some other form of mindful play (i.e. kayaking). Day retreats have shorter 1-2 hour Forest Therapy walks and multi-day retreats have longer, 2-3 hour walks. Time of Year Offered: Seasonal - usually 1/season |
Layer 3: 'Bathe' in Forest Therapy
Length of Time: 3-4 hours
Event Title: Guided Forest Therapy Walk
Description: This is a standard guided Forest Therapy walk scheduled for the public around the Madison area. The sequence will follow the model of ANFT walks, full of sensory invitations to connect us to the land and our truest selves. We will be offering these walks to the community on a donation basis until Moira is a certified guide. Donations will be used to support Camp Beginnings Scholarship Fund as well as the Madison Park System.
Time of Year: Year-Round... these are pop-up events based on weather and the availability of the guide. Want a privately guided walk? Fill out the form above.
Length of Time: 3-4 hours
Event Title: Guided Forest Therapy Walk
Description: This is a standard guided Forest Therapy walk scheduled for the public around the Madison area. The sequence will follow the model of ANFT walks, full of sensory invitations to connect us to the land and our truest selves. We will be offering these walks to the community on a donation basis until Moira is a certified guide. Donations will be used to support Camp Beginnings Scholarship Fund as well as the Madison Park System.
Time of Year: Year-Round... these are pop-up events based on weather and the availability of the guide. Want a privately guided walk? Fill out the form above.
