Virtual forest therapy walks bring the forest to you, when you can’t join me in the forest.
They offer the same time and space to reconnect with yourself, others and the more than human world around you.
You can join from your home, garden or local green space.
I will be streaming video from a wood near me into your screens using the magic of Whereby, which is a free video conferencing platform and really easy to join. Scroll down to find out how to join one.
What folk say…
“All day I’ve been wanting to say how lovely our virtual forest meditation together was. It has stayed with me all the time. Although I took a while to settle in the beginning, I felt really relaxed and peaceful afterwards. I realise how caught up I get in the Corona/political news etc even though we should all less stressed, it finds a way in somehow! So it was interesting and reminding to make the effort to turn away when the tensions start increasing. I am aware but don’t always use my ways of calming. Thank you for the experience and the reminder of how important it is. You have a lovely relaxed calming way which will help many”💜 – Anne, Holland
“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
How to prepare and join a virtual walk
1
Before the day of the walk find the time of the walk in your time zone, World Time Buddy is useful.
2
Choose your venue – you don’t need to be in a forest to practice forest therapy. Just make sure you have good reception and your phone or laptop is fully charged.
3
Get comfortable
At the time of the walk insert the link I sent you into your browser, follow the simple instructions and wait to be let into the virtual meeting room.
Venue – You are welcome to join me in any of the following ways:
Indoors
You can join from any room with internet reception in your home where you will not be disturbed. You will be able experience the woods where I am through your video screen.
You may also wish to be near a window with a view of the sky and have some nature treasures or objects of natural form to touch. (a stone, a piece of wood, potted plant, herbs, flowers or fruit and veg from your kitchen). If you have a diffuser or oil burner you could even scent your room with your favourite woody essential oils.
Outdoors
Find a place outdoors where you will feel safe enough and comfortable to fully relax. Perhaps in your garden, on your balcony or in a park or woodland near your home that you know well. Take some headphones, you can use an earpiece in one ear to hear me, and leave the other earpiece out so you can listen to your surroundings.
Bring a seat or cushion and enough clothes so that you are comfortable for whatever the weather may bring.- even on a sunny day it can get chilly sitting in the shade in a wood.
Wherever you are, you may like to have a pen and paper handy to jot down any illuminating thoughts or messages you receive from nature during the Wander.
Optional – If you are outside, a power bank can be handy if you have one, to top up your battery.
If you can, do allow yourself some time, before and after the walk ends to just sit quietly.
Give yourself permission to extend your nature connection time in any way that feels good.
“I have always loved nature, but our Forest Bathing sessions opened me up to a much deeper, richer, more connected oneness. Even on my exercise quick walks round the estate I now cannot but help stop at certain beech and birch trees to embrace them, thank them and hear what they are saying to me. I am truly grateful for your gentle guidance in opening up such a world for me, making it possible. I GET IT.” – Lorraine, Devon
I had a wonderful time on my Web Wander! I had never tried forest bathing in the wild, but it was a lovely experience. I moved between the garden and the bedroom, and found it both thought-provoking and meditative, as well as a lot of fun. It also really gave me some insight into how I had been feeling in my body, after the strange last few months!