Questions
Forest Bathing FAQ
Who is it for?
We welcome any person aged 14 years or older. You do need to be able to walk 1-2km on somewhat uneven ground, and to sit (or lie down!) on the ground for around 20 minutes at a time. If you have mobility concerns, please get in touch to see which walk would be suitable for you, or how we can support you to join us.
What to expect?
Our forest bathing experiences last around 2-3 hours, strolling around 1-2km, with plenty of stopping and resting (standing/ sitting on the ground/ lying down). We give invitations to engage with our surroundings. We are mostly in silence. We gather as a group in a circle to share what we are noticing; with words, movements, in silence, or any other way that feels right for you. On some experiences we have a base camp and star out from there, and for others, we move on with each invitation.
What to bring?
All the usual things you need for being outdoors, based on season. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, along with comfortable, casual clothing. A bottle of water, a small mat to sit on, a hat, sunglasses, a fleece or jacket for cooler weather.
Do I have to get naked, or bathe in water?
We keep our clothes on :), and we bathe in the atmosphere of the forest. There is usually no swimming involved, unless expressly stated.
Can I bring my pet?
Our experiences are not suitable for pets.
Can I bring my child?
If your child 14 years or older, then yes, you can book them a space on the walk.
Who is my guide?
Your Nature and Forest Bathing guide is Bansi Shah. She is a certified Forest Therapy Guide, and an Assistant Trainer with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides. Learn more about Bansi on our ‘About’ page.
Why do I need a Guide?
It’s not necessary have a guide, you can go on a self-guided forest bathing walk.
Having a trained Forest Therapy Guide is beneficial in a similar way as a trained yoga teacher, a swimming coach, a dance teacher or a hiking guide. Being guided allows you to be in the experience. You don’t have to plan or do anything other than show up. Uniquely, all parts of the Forest Bathing experience are optional and invitational – do only what you feel like at that moment. Also, being in a group with other participants fosters a feeling of connection, although there is minimal talking (brief moments during optional sharing about what you’re noticing).
How is it different to my hike in the forest?
With a hike, we usually have a destination in mind, a distance to cover within a set time; maybe you’re trying to beat your personal best time, or achieve a particular heart rate to be in a cardio or fat burning zone. Often we are with friends chatting away, and may not notice much of what’s going on around us.
When forest bathing, there is no destination, no distance, no intention of exercise; nothing to achieve other than showing up and being present. We are curious, we take time to notice our surroundings, and we have no expectations.
Is it the same as mindfulness meditation?
There are similarities, however we prefer to use ‘bodyfulness’, a term coined by renowned somatic counsellor, Christine Caldwell. The term ‘bodyfulness’ reminds us to get out of our heads and into our bodies. Paying attention to all our senses (there are more than just the usual five we think of!) helps us to come into the present. Mindfulness meditation emphasises equanimity, where no sensation or thought is better or worse than another, and we observe their passage. By contrast, with forest bathing/ forest therapy, we welcome any feelings of joy or pleasure, and we may attend to feelings of sadness. Everything is welcome.