Unplugging and Recharging with Forest Bathing at the Arboretum

Date and Time

Location

Arboretum Kiosk at the U of G Campus pedestrian entrance. 

Details

Join a Forest Bathing walk at the University of Guelph Arboretum to revive your senses and restore inner calm. Weather appropriate footwear is advised. The walk will proceed in rain but not thunder. Registration is limited to 18 participants. Please ensure that you can meet up at the Arboretum Kiosk at the U of G Campus pedestrian entrance at 11:55 am for a 12:00 pm start.  Register through Qualtrics! 

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing and Shinrin-Yoku, is a therapeutic practice that guides people to an inner state of relaxation and sensory restoration through doing a series of sensory oriented invitations that bring them into present moment relationship with the forest. It is a gentle, physically undemanding practice that takes place in an area of forest or along a forest trail. The practice supports the health of both humans and forests. The therapeutic benefits of this practice are primarily attributed to the interaction and relationship between the client and the forest environment, with the forest therapy guide utilizing the best practices for bringing the client into this relationship. It is a practice within the larger field of eco-therapy and ecopsychology.

About the Facilitator

Ben Porchuk is Canada's first Forest Therapy Guide (2015) and founder of the Global Institute of Forest Therapy (www.giftoftheforest.com). Ben is also a restoration ecologist and holds a Masters of Ecology from the University of Guelph (1996). Ben trains forest therapy around the world, has established designated forest therapy trails in Parks Canada (Gros Morne NP in 2022), Ontario Parks (McGregor Point, 2023), and in municipalities (Markham, 2018, Thunder Bay, 2019).

 

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