Shinrin Yoku: Forest Therapy Certification
7-Hour In-Person Certification Training Class begins at 9:00 AM Tuition Includes Student Training Kit
Reconnect people back to something they forgot they needed.
Shinrin Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, is a Japanese healing practice rooted in slowing down, awakening the senses, and restoring the nervous system through intentional connection with nature.
Originally developed in Japan in the 1980s as a response to rising stress and technology overload, Shinrin Yoku has since become a globally respected wellness modality backed by decades of research supporting its impact on stress reduction, nervous system regulation, mood, immunity, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing.
But this is more than “going for a walk in the woods.”
This is the art of learning how to guide people into presence.
At SHINE, this immersive certification blends education, embodiment, sensory awareness, guided practice, and experiential learning so you can deeply understand both the healing power of the forest and how to facilitate meaningful forest therapy experiences for others.
Whether you are looking to become a guide, expand your current wellness offerings, or simply deepen your own relationship with nature and healing, this training offers a grounded and transformational experience.
Who This Certification Is For
This training is ideal for:
Wellness practitioners
Yoga teachers
Therapists + counselors
Coaches + mentors
Energy practitioners
Retreat facilitators
Educators
Nature lovers
Anyone seeking a deeper healing relationship with the natural world
Forest Therapy can beautifully complement existing work in:
psychotherapy
trauma-informed care
mindfulness practices
expressive arts
coaching
nervous system regulation
meditation
retreat leadership
holistic wellness
No prior experience is required.
What You’ll Learn
Through four immersive modules, you will explore both the philosophy and facilitation of Shinrin Yoku.
Module One — Foundations of Forest Bathing
What Shinrin Yoku is (and what it is not)
The history of the practice
Reciprocity and relationship with nature
The science and benefits behind forest therapy
The “Wood Wide Web”
Nature as co-regulation and healing
Module Two — The Practitioner Experience
Understanding the flow of a forest therapy session
Guided invitations and sensory awareness
Learning to “translate” the energy of the forest
Practitioner tips and facilitation reminders
A fully guided immersive forest bathing experience (approximately 2 hours)
Module Three — Becoming a Guide
The role and responsibilities of a guide
Crafting meaningful invitations
Working with the seasons and natural cycles
Yūgen and the unseen beauty of nature
Shinrin Yoku meditation practices
Choosing trails and locations
Creating safe, grounded experiences
Why guided experiences matter
Module Four — Enhancing the Experience
Tea ceremony integration
Retreat and workshop applications
Closing rituals and practices
Creating memorable group experiences
What You’ll Receive
Upon completion of the certification, you will be able to confidently host and facilitate your own Shinrin Yoku / Forest Therapy experiences.
You’ll also receive supportive teaching materials and resources including:
Presentation slides
Practice guides
Invitation prompts
Printable PDFs
Facilitation tools and ideas
This training is designed to help you both experience the practice and begin integrating it into your own offerings and community work.
Important Note
This certification is not only for future guides.
Many students attend simply because they are craving restoration, nervous system healing, deeper presence, and reconnection with themselves through nature.
The practice itself is profoundly therapeutic.
Okay, but what is a SHINE training actually like? Here’s how we teach, what you’ll experience, and why learning at SHINE feels a little different. → Read: What to Expect at a SHINE Training
Preregistration is required. A minimum of 2 students is required for this training. If the minimum is not met, the class will be cancelled at the discretion of the teacher. If SHINE cancels the event for any reason, students will have the option of a refund or to be moved to a future date.
Please note before committing to the class: If student cancels or decides not to attend the certification, class fees are non-refundable. Fee can be transferred to a different date if communicated at least 5 days in advance and if minimum class size is met. Processing fee applies.
Please review our full Cancellation & Rescheduling FAQ before registering, including information about rescheduling windows, unexpected circumstances, and our one-time courtesy waiver: HERE
https://www.shineakron.com/cancellation-faq
