Autumnal Forest Bathing - Relax, Reflect & Reconnect with Nature

Forest Bathing/ Shinrin-yoku

Join a Forest Bathing session in the beautiful Hadley Woods

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of the woods as you relax and unwind. Your guide will lead you through gentle mindfulness exercises to engage and rewild the senses, slow everything down and step into timelessness. Go on a personal journey filled with surprise, awe and beauty and reconnect with the Earth and all beings around you. See what it's like to find presence with yourself and attune to what's here and now.

Feel the transition into autumn and all that this season offers us. If it rains, we will be sheltered under the full canopy of the trees and can find even more wonder in the woods!

No experience is necessary - just come with an open mind and a willingness to explore.

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." - W.B. Yeats

The 2 hour session involves

Gentle walking over uneven ground with some resting, standing and sitting breaks (there are no benches to sit on).

You will be invitied to engage in various sensory activities, some are quiet and introspective, others are playful and collaborative.

There will be space to share your experience with the group, but it is not required. Everything is optional.

We will finish the session with a warming delicious herbal tea blend.

Some examples of activities are: Walking meditation, sensory-based mindfulness, reflection, contemplation, movement, nature-based art, forest exploration, poetry, sharing and more! As temperatures drop the sessions may involve more movement.

Sample Itinerary (each session varies and is adapted to the individual group)

- Opening circle

- Forest exploration activity

- Sensory meditation

- Sharing circle

- Nature-based art activity

- Closing circle with herbal tea

Meeting point

Bottom of Northfield Road, Barnet, EN4 9DW. We will meet on the pavement where 3 roads meet, Jcoss Road, Northfield Road and Castlewood Road. Please use the links below to get an exact location.

We will be meeting from 9:45 ready to start at 10am, please leave enough time to find the location.

Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/qC1MUqjL5MP23sqG7(please use this link)

What3words ///shirt.buns.void

What to bring

You will need sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, including layers and waterproof jacket. Bring water/hot drink, a journal, pen, something to sit or lie on and anything else that will make you comfortable. If you have a reusable cup for tea please bring your own.

Exchange

Suggested donation £5-£15.

More information

What is Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing, known as Shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is a total immersion in the forest, an opportunity to relax, de-stress and be held by the forest.

Shinrin-yoku walks were developed in Japan in the 1980's as a response to major health and stress problems within the urban population. However, the roots of this practice are more ancient. There are numerous scientifically researched physiological and psychological benefits of Shinrin-yoku, such as regulating the nervous system, lowered stress hormones and reduction of high blood pressure and heart rate, to name a few.

As leading expert Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki writes in his book, Walking in the Woods, for 99.9% of human evolution we've been living in a natural environment and forest bathing brings us closer to that natural state. Forest bathing gives us the chance to unplug from the constant stimulation of our modern lives. We come home!

Your guide

Emma is a certified Student Forest Bathing Guide with Nature & Therapy, with the mission to bring city dwellers closer to Nature to feel the relaxing and transformative benefits of immersing ourselves in the woods. After spending the last decade supporting various charities in conservation, rewilding and regenerative food growing projects, she aims to facilitate the reconnection between people and the rest of Nature and strengthen our interdependent relationship with our beautiful planet. Through sensory experience, play, curiosity and mindfulness, she nurtures a sense of belonging on this Earth, releasing the Wild One in us, who is deeply rooted in the soil. She invites you to get to know the beings we live alongside and find more presence with ourselves and the rest of the world.

Your guide holds an Outdoor First Aid Certificate, an Enhanced DBS and Forest Therapy Student Certification with Nature & Therapy. She is a qualified Lowland Leader with Mountain Training.