From August 2025 Emily will be running Group and 1:1 Forest Therapy/Forest Bathing sessions in the Woodland at Treetops.

Emily has recently qualified as a Forest Therapy Practitioner and has loved every minute! Forest Therapy is a practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the Forest, it involves slow, mindful and sensory communication with nature alongside the support of a trained practitioner.

It’s aim is to use the power of nature to help the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of those attending.

Forest Therapy is a mindfulness based practice that emphasises being present in the moment and using all the senses through a series of sensory invitations.

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Inspired by the Japanese practice ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ it allows the brain and nervous system to calm and restore.

 

Forest Therapy holds many health benefits, with some being felt after being in nature for 15 minutes, but a 2 hour session is recommended.

 

Research has shown increased relaxation of the body, reduction in blood pressure (which lasts up to 5 days after forest therapy) and heart rate, reduced inflammation, endocrine function and improvement of weakened immunity.

 

It reduces anxiety, anger, depression, PTSD and ADHD. It restores focus and attention span, increases energy and vitality, improves sleep. Increases self esteem, empathy, kindness and compassion, boosts creativity and intuition, calms the nervous system and relaxes an overworked brain.

 

We know this because Japan started the research 40 years ago, comparing people’s test results in forest and urban environments, through blood pressure testing, urine samples, pulse rate and cortisol concentration.

 

They discovered that phytoncides, which are organic compounds released by trees that act as a natural defence against insects bacteria and fungi, filter oxygen, store carbon and the warmer the temperature the more of these oil emit from the trees, in particular pines, evergreens, spruces and cedars. They boost our immune system, but you need to like the smell for it to have a positive effect.

 

If you have a group or a family group that would like to experience this, you can book a private session with Emily directly at a time that suits you. (minimum 6 people).

 

For some of our sessions we will relax afterwards under the trees with me holding a Sound Bath entwined with the birds and the gentle sounds of the woodland.