why would I want to pay someone to lead me on a walk in the forest?
It's a great question because many of us spend a lot of time in arboretums, parks, preserves, nature centers or in the wild, and we've been doing it for years.
Our instinct is to go into the natural world when we're stressed, overwhelmed, have a health issue or a personal question that requires an answer, or simply desire an open space with fresh air. Our instincts are telling us that we already know that nature is a healing, healthy place to be!
And here's what I know: when we are in nature, we are regenerated, and there's medical evidence to back that up. So, when I work with people in nature, even the lightest touch can have an impact.
But why pay for a guided walk? Well, here's something I've written many times in response to someone posting, "What?? Pay you?? And how much ?" and usually there's an LOL or laughing face, if it's posted on Facebook. I never judge. I provide so much information about forest therapy everywhere I market my services, I always wonder why the person didn't get curious and read any of what I share before responding.
So, here's my response:
It's a legitimate question, which I'm always happy to answer. If someone goes to yoga, it's like having someone ask, "Why would I pay that just to stretch?" or if someone uses meditation as a protocol, hearing, "Why would I pay to sit still and think about nothing?"
While all these practices, including forest therapy, can be done by you on your own, there is power and belonging in community and having a trained, certified leader to guide the experience only deepens it. I've created lots of resources for people to learn about forest therapy; what it is and isn't, and yet for some, there's only a knee-jerk reaction to the price. So, it bears repeating and more sharing because I value this work I do as a partnership with all who are interested in being closer to the natural world.
Forest Therapy isn't just a walk; it isn't just a hike. It's a deep experience with nature in community with others. It is a practice. You will notice things you normally wouldn't notice and receive the benefit of a guide who can talk about the plants, trees, and life around you. The invitations that are presented in a forest therapy walk open the senses, slow you down and get you ready to receive what the forest, or arboretum, has to offer and inform. The tea ceremony at the end of every walk, further strengthens the community with something foraged, or could-have-been-foraged (I don't forage in arboretums). Could you do this on your own? Perhaps. Will you? Perhaps not.
Also of note, when walks are held in arboretums, a generous percent of the fees are donated back to the arboretum for their trust funds, which restore and repair the arboretum and its structures, not to pay the electric bill, so walking with me and LI Forest Walks, is, in part, a donation to our history and the legacy of those who came before us, like the Bayard Cuttings, the Goulds, the Guggenheims, and the Baileys. Arboretums choose to add forest therapy to their offerings because they understand that it is different than anything else they offer: walks, tours, etc.
Lastly, on my reservation and payment page, it states clearly that if anyone finds my fee a hardship to please reach out to me. All this and more is available to anyone who chooses to be curious about this practice.
Sometimes, those posts sting a bit, I don't mind telling you, because we weren't given the chance to talk and understand each other and have a conversation. And while I understand that this practice isn't for everyone, I hope for those of you who've walked with me, you have benefited in a way that you wouldn't have if you'd done this alone.
May the forest be with all of us, as a beautiful, regenerative example of how life sustains itself. The natural world needs us as much as we need it! Blessings to all! Linda
Our instinct is to go into the natural world when we're stressed, overwhelmed, have a health issue or a personal question that requires an answer, or simply desire an open space with fresh air. Our instincts are telling us that we already know that nature is a healing, healthy place to be!
And here's what I know: when we are in nature, we are regenerated, and there's medical evidence to back that up. So, when I work with people in nature, even the lightest touch can have an impact.
But why pay for a guided walk? Well, here's something I've written many times in response to someone posting, "What?? Pay you?? And how much ?" and usually there's an LOL or laughing face, if it's posted on Facebook. I never judge. I provide so much information about forest therapy everywhere I market my services, I always wonder why the person didn't get curious and read any of what I share before responding.
So, here's my response:
It's a legitimate question, which I'm always happy to answer. If someone goes to yoga, it's like having someone ask, "Why would I pay that just to stretch?" or if someone uses meditation as a protocol, hearing, "Why would I pay to sit still and think about nothing?"
While all these practices, including forest therapy, can be done by you on your own, there is power and belonging in community and having a trained, certified leader to guide the experience only deepens it. I've created lots of resources for people to learn about forest therapy; what it is and isn't, and yet for some, there's only a knee-jerk reaction to the price. So, it bears repeating and more sharing because I value this work I do as a partnership with all who are interested in being closer to the natural world.
Forest Therapy isn't just a walk; it isn't just a hike. It's a deep experience with nature in community with others. It is a practice. You will notice things you normally wouldn't notice and receive the benefit of a guide who can talk about the plants, trees, and life around you. The invitations that are presented in a forest therapy walk open the senses, slow you down and get you ready to receive what the forest, or arboretum, has to offer and inform. The tea ceremony at the end of every walk, further strengthens the community with something foraged, or could-have-been-foraged (I don't forage in arboretums). Could you do this on your own? Perhaps. Will you? Perhaps not.
Also of note, when walks are held in arboretums, a generous percent of the fees are donated back to the arboretum for their trust funds, which restore and repair the arboretum and its structures, not to pay the electric bill, so walking with me and LI Forest Walks, is, in part, a donation to our history and the legacy of those who came before us, like the Bayard Cuttings, the Goulds, the Guggenheims, and the Baileys. Arboretums choose to add forest therapy to their offerings because they understand that it is different than anything else they offer: walks, tours, etc.
Lastly, on my reservation and payment page, it states clearly that if anyone finds my fee a hardship to please reach out to me. All this and more is available to anyone who chooses to be curious about this practice.
Sometimes, those posts sting a bit, I don't mind telling you, because we weren't given the chance to talk and understand each other and have a conversation. And while I understand that this practice isn't for everyone, I hope for those of you who've walked with me, you have benefited in a way that you wouldn't have if you'd done this alone.
May the forest be with all of us, as a beautiful, regenerative example of how life sustains itself. The natural world needs us as much as we need it! Blessings to all! Linda
What Is Forest Therapy?
Forest Therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments .
Forest Therapy originated as Shinrin-Yoku, or
Sen Lin Yi - the
Japanese characters translate to forest and woods and taking them all in. It's not about distance or endurance. It's about slowing down and noticing; being mindful and connecting.
Health benefits of regular forest therapy* immersion may include:
Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced stress
Improved mood
Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
Increased energy level
Improved sleep
Deeper and clearer intuition
Increased flow of energy
Expect a forest walk to last about 2-1/2 to 3 hours along gentle trails or less-traveled paths, by streams or lakes; a forest walk may even take place at an arboretum or university campus.
*from http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
Health benefits of regular forest therapy* immersion may include:
Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Reduced blood pressure
Reduced stress
Improved mood
Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
Increased energy level
Improved sleep
Deeper and clearer intuition
Increased flow of energy
Expect a forest walk to last about 2-1/2 to 3 hours along gentle trails or less-traveled paths, by streams or lakes; a forest walk may even take place at an arboretum or university campus.
*from http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
now that you know, ask yourself the question, "why aren't I out in nature today?"
What to expect What to bring How to prepare
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Your guide offers an experience through a series of invitations that open the senses, slow us down and prepare us to reconnect with the forest, ourselves and others.
Your experience will always be personal and unique to you. Put your camera s away during the walk; cell phones, too, or set them to 'silent'. |
It's important that the walk is enjoyable.
Bring what you need to be comfortable: some water, sturdy shoes; layers. Bring a hat, if you're sun-sensitive. A natural insect repellent is a must during the warmer months. Your guide provides a camping stool or mat for sitting in our circles and during colder months, will even have hand and toe warmers available. |
Even though we walk on trails, safety is always a concern. Mosquitoes, ticks and poison ivy are commonplace concerns no matter where we walk.
There are no native venomous snakes on Long Island. Learn more about mosquitoes , ticks and poison ivy by clicking on each one. |
Click to learn more:
- Private coaching clients
- Public events
- Corporate events
- Add-on event to workshops and retreats
