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