Forest Bathing with Maria Gonzalez

My destination is no longer a place, but a new way of seeing. — Marcel Proust

Shinrin-Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, is a therapeutic practice that harnesses the healing power of the forest. This immersive experience involves spending time in a forest setting under the guidance of a trained professional. The practice, rooted in the Japanese tradition of “Shinrin-Yoku,” invites participants to engage deeply with their senses, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and its restorative health benefits. In Forest Therapy, the forest is the therapist, with the guide serving as a facilitator by opening the door to sensory experiences. Trained guides skillfully create the conditions for nature immersion by carefully selecting conducive environments, maintaining a supportive presence, and offering various mindful practices that enable direct engagement with the natural world. The essence of
Forest Bathing lies in its simplicity – it is about being fully present and absorbing the wonder and awe that nature bestows.

The Guide
María Gonzalez is currently completing her coursework towards certification as a guide with the Association of Nature Forest Therapy Guides. Maria grew up in a bilingual, bicultural home and her earliest memories in the outdoors are of the snowy Big Woods of Wisconsin and the lush Andean cloud forests of Colombia. She is thrilled to guide a forest bathing walk at Rising Fawn Gardens on Friday, February 9th from 10am-1pm. María is a lifelong educator, the former Head of School of Wauhatchie Forest School, and a resident of Dade County. She is deeply honored to work in partnership with the land and the dedicated land stewards at Rising Fawn Gardens.

For more information and/or to sign up for the guided walk, please reach out to María at maria@vivaverde.org or at 423-708-2358