The forest is the healer - the practice opens the door
Shinrin yoku
forest bathing
Shinrin Yoku—often translated as “forest bathing”—is not exercise, hiking, or simply being outside. It is the intentional practice of immersing yourself in the living intelligence of nature. Through guided sensory awareness, breath, stillness, and presence, the forest becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes medicine.
​
In a world where Americans spend nearly 87% of their lives indoors, many people are experiencing a quiet but profound longing to reconnect with something real, grounding, and alive. Research continues to show what ancient traditions have always known: time in nature can support the nervous system, reduce stress, improve mood, increase mental clarity, and create a greater sense of connection and well-being.
​
What was once considered a niche wellness practice is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing movements in holistic health. Some experts even describe forest bathing as the next wellness wave to follow yoga in the United States.
And just like yoga teachers helped people reconnect to their bodies and breath over the last several decades, people are now seeking trained guides to help them reconnect to nature—and ultimately, to themselves.
​
As a Shinrin Yoku Guide, you are not simply leading walks in the woods. You are creating experiences that help people slow down, regulate, listen, soften, and remember how to be in relationship with the natural world again. In a culture moving faster and faster, this work matters deeply.
“During chemotherapy treatment, one of the most important numbers my doctors monitor is my neutrophil count—the immune marker that determines whether my body is strong enough to receive treatment.
​
After participating in both the Shinrin Yoku Certification and another Shinrin Yoku experience at SHINE, my bloodwork showed noticeable spikes in those numbers.
​
Seeing that pattern was a powerful reminder of the healing power of nature.
SHINE has introduced me to so many healing modalities throughout my journey, and I’m deeply grateful for the experiences, support, and care they continue to provide.”
Angie Neely -
our offering
The forest is the healer - the practice opens the door
Learn and prepare for your experience with a quick overview of what forest therapy is all about
Be guided on a 3 hour experience ending with a tea ceremony and sharing circle
Each practice ends with a closing practice to further enhance the experience and close out the forest bathe
It's not a hike
Another misconception about forest bathing is that you are going on a hike through the wilderness, which also is not the case. The pace of forest bathing is much, much slower and much more relaxed. In fact, at times, you will be asked to sit in the same spot for 15 or 20 minutes, or even longer. The distance is also very different than a hike – most forest bathing experiences include walking ½ a mile or less.
It's not an intellectual endeavor
Although there is much to learn in the forest, scientific facts about nature is not the point, in fact just the opposite is true. During Shinrin Yoku, you immerse your senses in the special characteristics of the forest. The forest will invite you to receive sounds, sights and energies. Speaking of energies, being with and a part of nature has many health benefits (seen here).
Reciprocity is one of the most important aspects to understand about forest bathing. Its not about “taking” from the forest for our healing; its about starting a relationship and a connection to all living things through continual inquiry. These inquires are referred to as invitations in Shinrin Yoku (some examples here).
Cortney Martinelli
150 hour Certified Shinrin Yoku Guide
Cortney completed her online training from the Centre of Excellence in 2020. Cortney incorporates her extensive Reiki background into the teachings of Shinrin Yoku as she guides practitioners to playfully, joyfully and mindfully explore nature with the continual inquiry that is at the foundation of this ancient practice. After Cortney purchased her Education + Retreat center on a magical piece of land, she was called to study and then teach Forest Bathing so that she could share this magical place with others on a deeper, more profound level.
.png)