Testimonials

“I never realised that forest bathing could be so transformative! I entered the woods feeling confused and stuck in my life. With Emma’s gentle, unassuming guidance, I was able to immerse in the therapeutic power of the woods. By the end of the session something significant had shifted emotionally and I was able to confront the difficult life-changing decisions I realised I had to make. I feel hugely grateful to the woods and to Emma for providing this opportunity. “ Maaike 2021

“Emma is an inspiring, thoughtful, warm-hearted and experienced course leader. The fascinating and wide-ranging courses she offers encourage creativity and well-being, by gently tuning in to nature. I felt nourished and up-lifted, and came away with loads of ideas & strategies for enhancing my approach to my creative artwork. The venue is beautiful and the food is wonderful! Thank you!” Bala Brook Retreat participant 2022

“What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Calm, peaceful, magical.
I felt really embraced by nature – towering redwood trees, green deciduous trees, insects, brambles, birds, hover bees and one beautiful red admiral butterfly.

It made me realise that it is important to slow down to really appreciate nature.

Emma is an inspirational and imaginative guide. Everyone should try one of her forest walks especially when feeling stress and too busy.” 2021 

“Emma is a sensitive guide – confident but not pushy, and patient and non judgemental in listening to the responses of participants.” 2021

“Emma was a wonderful guide, enabling us to feel peace and calm in beautiful natural surroundings. The tea ceremony in the woods was a particularly serene moment of our wandering that joined our group with gratitude. In a world full of uncertainty and too many screens this is the perfect way to detox and maintain good mental health. I just felt an enormous sense of relaxation and happiness and definitely intend to make this part of my healthy routine going forward. Thank you.” 2021

“I can thoroughly recommend a wander for wellbeing as a way to increase wellbeing exponentially” 2021

“I thoroughly enjoyed and feel grateful for Forest Bathing in a group led by Emma. She created a safe and caring space within which to relax and be more open to the joy of being in the woods. She gracefully guided us towards opening up to a fuller sensory experience. She encouraged an appreciation of, a connection with and an honouring of the natural world.” 2021

“One of the silver linings of the coronavirus has been to experience a “virtual” forest bathing with Emma.  I sat outside, under a tree in my back garden, with my phone propped up on a little bench and my headphones on.  Normally, I really avoid wearing headphones and using screens, but the focus and contemplative nature of spending this time with Emma and the others on the call created a sense of calm, connection and ease.  In fact, it felt like we entered sacred, contemplative space together, similar to the feeling I had as a child when I would go to church with my family.  No pressure to speak or to perform, but rather to drop into quiet, where expectations and judgments and grasping can naturally evaporate.  Emma creates and holds this space beautifully, with love.  Her warmth, gentleness and authenticity shine.  We need people like Emma in this world.  We need the quiet connection that only time and space with nature, and with each other, can foster.  And what a pleasure to learn that we can cultivate this in a safe, socially distanced way, probably when we all need it most!”- Megan 2020

“Thank you Emma for a beautiful and captivating but easeful experience. It was a sensory delight to drink in the magic of the forest, drop down into wild time and feel connected to the welcoming the rhythm of the land.

It’s a rare gift to be given, and a you held it gently but powerful.

Blessings to you and the trees” – Myrtle 2020

“Brilliant to take time with yourself and nature. Encourages you to see beauty in your surroundings and grasp an inner peace within”  2019

” A great way to experience nature. Time to look, listen feel and just be.”  2019

“a well held space. I am happy to have experienced it and feel better for it than a few hours ago. Best wishes on your journey.. Michael 2019

“to walk in nature with an experienced person who practices a deep presence, and creates a space for others to connect with nature was a true gift and blessing. Thank you Emma for bringing this work into the world.”  Mick Young 2019

“A beautiful morning spent in the forest with Emma’s gentle guidance. I feel peaceful, centred and renewed by the experience.”  Emily Young, 2019

” This mornings woodland wander has really given me a sense of reconnection and coming home. I have dropped out of my head and into a wonderful child-like place, full of awe, joy and peace. Thank you. Alison, 2019

” such a lovely opportunity to relax, unwind, meet new people and share the beauty of our woodland surroundings together” 2019

“Lovely and relaxing. Time to connect to the life around and appreciate nature..” 2019

“A wonderful, mindful experience! Taking time out to attend was a treat and found it very beneficial for mind and body” 2019

“The mix of being in the company of others and being alone ~ quietly watching and listening, sharing food and expressing with others ….. it was a beautiful experience.” Sylvia 2019

“It was good to see, listen, hear and touch and smell and simply to feel and to be. Good time for me to be me” – 2019

“A tranquil walk – in a hectic world – lovely.” – 2019

“As if by magic the pouring rain stopped as we set off on our walk. Emma set the pace and got us to look at the puddles, look at the leaves blowing and lots of things that we take for granted and normally pass by. All followed by a lovely tea ceremony.” 2019

” I really encourage everyone to come forest bathing! Emma has a beautiful, calm spirit that really encourages us in a non-demanding or threatening way to connect with nature and yourself. Allowing our spirit the freedom to hear and be heard. Amazing!!” – Tracy 2019

“Lovely walk. Complete new experience for me. Calm peaceful way of looking at nature” -2019

“Get back to nature and find yourself in the forest”. – Jackie 2019

“A very nurturing and earthing experience, lead so quietly, yet skilfully by you. I look forward to my next bathe in the forest – thanks Emma!”  – R Church 2019

“…A really worthwhile opportunity to experience the woods in a fresh and thought inspiring way. It is rich and relaxing and connecting – with nature and fellow group members.” – Hembury wander for well-being participant 2018

” I felt as though I belonged to myself again..”  Hembury wander for well-being participant 2018

“I really appreciated being given the space and opportunity to ‘play’. To interact with trees and moss and water in a curious, childlike way.” – Hembury wander for well-being participant 2018

“Deep, intimate, connecting, relaxing, beautiful, wonder-ful, heightening senses, increasing appreciation, slowing down, changing focus. Spiritual” – Hembury wander for well-being participant 2018

“The forest is a healer. It gives you a beautiful safe space to drop into. Deep peace, relaxation, wisdom and joy. Emma held the walk in a gentle warm knowledgeable way and her love for the woods sparks life in you.” – Mitch 2018

“A well held, gently guided space with a healthy variety of inquiries. Presence and mystery finely bended” – Hembury wander for well-being participant 2018

“Arriving with some heaviness – the stuff of life weighing me somewhat. The journey took me into my being, took my being into connection with nature – lifted me, held me, then let me fly. Thank you for the gift of today. ” – Kim 2018

“Thank you Emma, I loved how you built so much space into the session – which allowed my playfulness and creativity to come out ( this side of me is usually pushed to the background with all the responsibilities of Life!) – Kate 2018

“I have found participating in Emma’s Creative Journeys to have been a really worthwhile thing to have done.  She thoughtfully prepares and leads each journey, but the guiding is gentle and sensitive to the needs of the participants, and there is openness to the spontaneity of what might happen en route.   I particularly liked the creation of something personal out of materials from nature gathered on the walk, and the symbolic use of this in ritual elements of the journey later on.  The invitation to write and share something of each journey was a nice way to close the experience.  I felt more aware, relaxed and connected as a result of taking part.  I’d certainly recommend coming along if your interest is sparked – you won’t regret it .  Time in nature is always worth it, and Emma has a lovely way of facilitating creativity in that experience.” – Adam Skerrett, Schumacher student “Myth and ecology” 2017/18

“I have enjoyed having environmental art sessions with Emma Capper for over a year now. Emma s very skilled at supporting me to explore feelings and personal experiences through using natural materials found in the woods, talking, storytelling and through simple ritual activities. I have always felt very safe and supported by Emma. She is a very genuine and caring person. I love the sense of space, wonder and freedom that I feel in my sessions with Emma. She brings a brilliant sense of spontaneity and ease to her work. I highly recommend working with Emma to anyone who is interested in deepening their understanding of themselves and their connection with nature.”  Jess Howarth 2017

“As a carer, Emma Capper’s Creative Journey’s provide an essential break from my often stressful and intense caring role and really help maintain my well-being. The journeys provide wonderful creative time out in nature, to connect with the seasonal energies and have time just for me, with a wonderful group. I greatly look forward to them and I also really appreciate Emma’s support to help me access them at a time which fits in with caring responsibilities. The Creative Journeys also have a long term benefit from connecting with the flowing natural cycle of nature’s year and inspiring my creativity and ongoing awareness of my well-being. There are many other people who I am sure would also gain great benefit and enjoyment from Emma’s Creative Journeys and her natural creativity and nurturing spirit, so I very much hope she is successful in growing her wonderful Venture.”   Sarah Thomas 2016
(I am a Mother, carer for my two autistic/disabled sons and my visually impaired elderly mother with memory problems).

“Emma’s approach to developing personal responses to and with the natural world are immersive, gentle but guided. I found her work with a group was intuitive and responsive – allowing people to progress at their own pace. During our short session together with a group Emma was able to help everyone achieve – even those who professed to being ‘not creative’. Personal responses to nature were shared in an open, supportive learning environment; participants were visibly pleased with their work and the reactions from the rest of the group.”  –  Orlando Rutter, Senior Learning & Outreach Officer. Dartmoor National Park Authority. 2018

“I really enjoyed the chance to take things slowly, thoroughly soak in the nature around us, and the sweetness of the element of play. I go on many walks, but these sessions have encouraged me to enjoy, immerse, listen, and touch the things that are around me. I have found this a valuable practice that I can take into my daily life more often, and a wonderful gift to share with others.”   Amy 2018

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In collaboration..Ian Blackwell and I had a great day out on Saturday with a top bunch of folk for our gentle walk and picnic by the Dart. Here’s some of the lovely feedback they gave us.

“Would be a wonderful grounding day for working with the clients I work with over 50s with mental health difficulties to relax and to meet other people and socialise”

“An opportunity to be still and take a slower pace allowing time to immerse in nature, sense of peace and to enjoy noticing the beauty of small things and just being in the tranquility of what nature provides naturally, joyousness simple depth”

“Enjoyed today in being able to stop and enjoy the immediate nature around me and being the present. I feel I’ve slow down and feel such a great opportunity to meet others. love the fire and the foraging – more info on foraging if possible. I just loved the gentle pace of today”

“A real Delight – playful creative and informative. sitting around a campfire with strangers who become really close by the close of the walk and I’m feeling extremely relaxed having enjoyed the company of the other lucky people in such a beautiful natural setting”

“Rushed to meeting feeling tense and a little stressed – within 15 minutes into the walk all this started to leave me and a calm feeling ensued everything was wonderful and all the group were great fun. Emma and Ian made this walk very interesting and made a fantastic soup 10 out of 10”

“Thoroughly lovely day educationally interesting regarding Plants and Flowers relaxing and peaceful”

“Fantastic had a lovely day very educational lovely bunch of people and great soup, many thanks”

“Today was a wonderful change from my daily routine. Work has been very stressful and working in mental health sometimes it’s very upsetting, it is hard to leave things at work. On the walk I felt like I could Breathe Again. great opportunity for the people that I work with”

“I have learnt that I’m part of a group of time traveller’s from the future, a place and time where all humans are honoured and loved for their unique parts of the greater whole, one beautiful World, thank you with love”

“This was a wonderfully relaxed day a chance to slow down live in the moment appreciate the sounds and smells of the countryside and to become more grounded I definitely feel better for doing something physically outside and forgetting. Getting back to the simple things of life – the invitation exercises we did helped to calm my thoughts”