Nature & Forest Therapy

Welcome to Good Medicine, a Nature & Forest Therapy Practice located in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Nature & Forest Therapy, often called Forest Bathing, is a slow, sensory-focused experience with the more-than-human-world. It is a practice, an art, an appreciation, by which we bathe in the good medicine of Mother Earth.

definition of bathe - suffuse or envelop in something, we bathed in the dappled sunlight and bird song

Contact

About Emelia

Hi! My name is Emelia Sautter and I am a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide.

I founded Good Medicine, my Nature & Forest Therapy Practice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2021.

Full Bio

Offerings

Group Walks

Good Medicine offers Nature & Forest Therapy group walks. Walks are typically 2 hours in length but can vary based upon scheduling and group needs. We can meet at a location of your choosing or Good Medicine can offer a variety of outdoor meeting locations.

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Private Walks

Good Medicine offers individual, private walks upon request. Walks are typically 1.5 hours in length but can vary based upon scheduling and individual needs. We can meet at a location of your choosing or Good Medicine can offer a variety of outdoor meeting locations.

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Events

Started
Apr 16 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Nature + Forest Therapy at Hickory Hill Park

Recurring Event Hickory Hill Park, 1439 Bloomington St, Iowa City IA (South Entrance)

Monthly Forest Bathing at Hickory Hill Park! The 3rd Wednesday of each month. Nature and Forest Therapy (Forest Bathing) is a health and wellness practice that helps people connect with their inner self and with the natural world around them. Some might call it a form of nature meditation. We focus on slowing down and paying attention to our senses. These gentle walks include time alone and time with others in nature. Forest Bathing is a slow, sensory, relaxing practice that invites you to connect with self and the natural world by spending time outdoors and focusing on your senses. This is a two-hour, outdoor event, please dress for being outdoors, bring a water bottle, SPF, insect repellent, and anything else to help you feel comfortable being outdoors. We will walk, sit, lay down and stand. If needed you can bring something to sit on, otherwise small, foam sit-pads will be provided for sitting on the Earth. Ages 16 and older. Facilitator, Emelia Sautter, is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and Foundress of Good Medicine Nature and Forest Therapy in Cedar Rapids. Cost: $25 (Cash, check or venmo @emelia-sautter) Registration: Email Emelia at emelia@goodmedicine.earth to register and for additional questions

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Started
May 12 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Monthly Nature + Forest Therapy

Recurring Event Prairiewoods, 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA

Nature + Forest Therapy is a health and wellness practice that helps people connect with their inner self and with the natural world around them. Some might call it a form of nature meditation. We focus on slowing down and paying attention to our senses. These gentle walks include time alone and time with others in nature. Join Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide Emelia Sautter for a walk with the natural world. Experience Nature and Forest Therapy, also known as Forest Bathing, a sensory-focused practice that invites us to slow down and be present with self and the natural world around us. According to the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, “Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by shinrin yoku, the Japanese practice of ‘Forest Bathing.’” Much research has been done on the healing and therapeutic benefits of Forest Therapy. Hundreds of clinical and non-clinical studies show numerous positive effects, including reductions in stress, anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, anger and pain. Improvements include better cognitive functioning, sleep, mood, confidence and creativity. Time with our nature kin also boosts our immune system, regulates blood pressure, improves relationships, increases feelings of gratitude and much more! This is a trauma informed practice, and all are welcome. This is not exercise or hiking; it is a slow, sensory walk with the land. The cost is $20, and registration is required by noon.

Jun 11 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Forest Bathing with the Strong Sun Moon

Jun 11, 2025 - 7:00 PM Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA

Join Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide Emelia Sautter for a walk with the natural world. Experience Nature and Forest Therapy, also known as Forest Bathing, a sensory-focused practice that invites us to slow down and be present with self and the natural world around us. According to the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, “Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by shinrin yoku, the Japanese practice of ‘Forest Bathing.’” Much research has been done on the healing and therapeutic benefits of Forest Therapy. Hundreds of clinical and non-clinical studies show numerous positive effects, including reductions in stress, anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, anger and pain. Improvements include better cognitive functioning, sleep, mood, confidence and creativity. Time with our nature kin also boosts our immune system, regulates blood pressure, improves relationships, increases feelings of gratitude and much more! This is a trauma informed practice, and all are welcome. This is not exercise or hiking; it is a slow, sensory walk with the land. The cost is $25, and registration is required by noon.

Jun 13 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Deepening Connection through Nature - Forest Therapy

Jun 13, 2025 - 9:00 AM Our Lady of the Prairie, 2664 145th Ave., Wheatland, IA 52777

This is a trauma-informed practice that ANYONE can do and practice-in your backyard to your favorite park. Nature and Forest Therapy is a sensory, body -focused practice that invites one to connect with self and the more-than-human-world. Nature and Forest Therapy can also be referred to as Forest Bathing or Shinrin-yoku (the Japanese word for forest bathing). You can do this practice on your own or with a guide. This is a trauma informed practice that invites the wisdom of the body and the wisdom and medicine of the land to come forward. It is a connective practice that helps one connect with self through sensory invitations and with the forest or land around you. It is a literal invitation to bathe in the medicine of the Earth. Origins People have been bathing in the medicine of the land for as long as we have been evolving with the land. As a specific practice, it originated in Japan in the 1980’s. Clinical/Evidence Based Wellness Benefits The Earth is extremely good at regulating the many internal ecosystems that reside within the human body. This practice helps lessen anxiety and depression. It can regulate our blood pressure, lower our heart rate, and reduce stress hormones in our bodies. Forest Bathing improves mood, improves sleep, increases feelings of creativity and in feeling connected to oneself and others. This practice is very good for the immune system. Trees release a compound called Phytoncides and we breathe these in as well as absorb them through our skin. The phytoncides assist our NK (Natural Killer) cells in boosting and supporting our immune systems and can stay in our bodies for 30-40 days. This practice can also help with trauma and PTSD and helps the body move into the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) What it is NOT: Nature and Forest Therapy is not exercise, hiking or about learning the names of plants and animals on a walk. “I want to thank you for leading me in this new and very wonderful experience. I felt renewed after it and am still reliving the experience when I close my eyes and just let my mind wander. That night when I went to bed I slept the best I had in quite awhile. I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for forest bathing but I’m so very glad I did. Thank you so, so much for what you do and for sharing it with me.” Smiles, Rose C (testimonial from a previous attendee) Fee includes lunch

Jun 22 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Forest Bathing at Bever Park

Jun 22, 2025 - 1:00 PM Bever Park, Red Oak Pavillion, 2700 Bever Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA

Forest Bathing is a slow, sensory, relaxing practice that invites you to connect with self and the natural world by spending time outdoors and focusing on your senses. A health and wellness practice that helps people connect with their inner self and with the natural world around them. Some might call it a form of nature meditation. We focus on slowing down and paying attention to our senses. These gentle walks include time alone and time with others in nature. This is a two-hour, outdoor event, please dress for being outdoors, bring a water bottle, SPF, insect repellent, and anything else to help you feel comfortable being outdoors. We will walk, sit, lay down and stand. If needed you can bring something to sit on, otherwise small, foam sit-pads will be provided for sitting on the Earth. Ages 16 and older. Facilitator, Emelia Sautter, is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and Foundress of Good Medicine Nature and Forest Therapy here in Cedar Rapids. For questions or comments please contact Zach Gibson at z.gibson@cedar-rapids.org or at 319-286-5768.