A diverse waffling of a search for serenity, sobriety and sanity through Nature and Forest Therapy ..... and with the mind of a fly...anything else in between...
For this episode we had the chance to chat with Ben Page. Ben was one of our trainers in LA in 2020 as myself and Moose began our journey to become Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and among many things he is now, also a published author. 2021 saw the release of his book, ‘Healing Trees; a pocket guide to forest bathing.' Ben's book is beautiful and comforting. Delivered in short, easy to read chunks, it is an easy read not because it is simple, but because it just flows and tricks you into reading more than you intended. His text flows in and out of dreamy illustrations and weaves its way into your soul – all done in a relaxing green shade of text! As Ben points out, this is not a book that you are checking how much more there is to read as you go along, you can just read it and enjoy. Fun fact - Ben loves cats and due to lockdowns, now knows most of the cats in his neighbourhood…. one of the unexpected facts we learnt about Ben during this recording! There is a little bit of interference during the recording, not too bad, but I feel I should acknowledge it, I think three time zones and my wonky Highland internet was too much for our platform! There is also one or two naughty words – sorry, they don't normally get past the trees, but they did this time. You can find more information about Ben at www.integralforestbathing.com More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Cath and Highland Quietlife can be found on www.highlandquietlife.co.uk and guides within the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Moose can be found in BC, on Vancouver Island www.sitkaforestimmersion.com
Welcome to our third podcast series. I've taken a while to get myself in gear for this one and that is mainly to my own pressurising and sometimes paralysing standards and expectations – I'm sure we can all relate to that at times! I'm really pleased that the first full episode of this series (episode 2) can be Ben Page. Ben was one of our trainers in 2020 and in 2021 he released his book; Healing Trees, a pocket guide to Forest Bathing, so hope on over to episode 2 and have a listen! More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Cath and Highland Quietlife can be found on www.highlandquietlife.co.uk and guides within the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Moose can be found in BC, on Vancouver Island www.sitkaforestimmersion.com
Do you ever have that overwhelming urge to stop and appreciate the wonder of the place you live or location you are in? Sometimes it's too easy to forget and be busy rushing from A to B; we all need that reminder to just stop and see and breathe for a moment. During this shorter episode, Cath holes up in the greenhouse before a visit from the Tawny Owls as the sunsets behind the trees and we chat all about remembering to say thank you and appreciate nature around us. More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/
This podcast recording was an experience for many reasons; Cath sits with the sunrise in the Cairngorms, Scotland and Moose sits by a campfire and under a full moon on Vancouver Island, Canada. A sunrise gives us the chance to wake up with the day and everything around us; a time of quiet reflection; story telling with friends; meeting new friends and in some cases being invaded by a couple of polite Clydesdale Horses! Anyway, tune in, enjoy and next time you get the chance, get up for the sunrise and welcome the day. More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. You can book onto a guided sunrise or full moon session this year here https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/calendar Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practice of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/
One of my first words was 'dog' and it was certainly one of my most used words (probably is now truth be told). I think there has always been at least one dog in my life since I was 8 years old, the first being a little Westie called Pip who was the dog I had always asked for. Currently, there are three in our family home, all rescue Greyhounds; Newt, Edie and Clover and we foster for an awesome rescue called GAGAH (Give a Greyhound a Home). Nadine Mazzola has written a wonderful and award winning booking called 'Forest Bathing with your dog' and so we started to explore just how different it is if you let your dog be your forest guide! Moose and I both have sighthound / lurchery type hounds and so life can be excitable at the best of times. Moose heads out with Leia and I have newly adopted Clover as my guide...... it is very similar to Forest Bathing with children....... More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practice of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/
"Being told by the universe and humanity to stay put is an opportunity to explore our surroundings...….it's OK to just go and sit for 10 minutes and just listen to what's around you." - said by two wise Nature and Forest Therapy guides! It's true though eh! It's only this past year I've learnt and permitted myself to just sit and take time out, even if only for 15 minutes. Yes, if people compliment me on this skill, I leap to the defense to justify why I have sat for a period of time and done nothing... sound familiar huh?! More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/
I like to look for the good things and positive outcomes in life, but... it's been a funny old 12 months huh? I'm not going to say the C word or the P word (you can go figure those out yourself), but I am going to acknowledge that sometimes it's been hard to find the positive! However, remotely guided Forest Bathing sessions - who knew these could be a thing!? I resisted guiding remotely for a while but eventually gave it a go and could see the power that still emitted from the forest and surrounding nature and could hear and witness the effects participants experienced. Here, we chat with Pete about how he found the remote session he attended compared with in person sessions. What we did discover is he needs supervision else he gets lost in the woods..... More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/
Are you as weary of staring at video calls as we are? It would seem we certainly both reached our limit on the same day and headed into nature to reconnect and switch off, forming, without realising it, a threshold into the 'more than human world'...... however our ways were quite different! We also touch on how you can find that connect with nature if you are an urban dweller and the joys of forest bathing with your dog! More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/
A year on from starting our journey as Nature and Forest Therapy Guides, this week we touch on our fears, group acceptance and feeling safe in the dark. More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practice of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. My co-podcaster and fellow guide is 'Moose', or Michelle and she can be found on Vancouver Island, BC. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk/ Follow me at https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife and https://www.instagram.com/highland.quietlife
Hot chocolate, chocolate brownies and snow...... welcome to family Forest Bathing! After recent guest Pete coined the phrase 'treespeed', this and our future podcasts will focus on our nature connection and 'what are we noticing?' - a fundamental element to any Forest Bathing session. Cath tried out family sessions in the Scottish snow, tackled iced up footpaths and mountain bikers and the Moose had the most magical deer / prisms / water droplets experience ever!! More About Highland Quietlife Nature heals...sitting, sharing space with nature, admiring beauty or simply playing amongst it...nature is awesome. Welcome to the world of ‘Forest Bathing'. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku is the practise of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing' in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides' and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. Find me at https://www.highlandquietlife.co.uk Follow me at https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife and https://www.instagram.com/highland.quietlife
Join myself and Moose for a diverse chat with Pete Wright about ultra running, learning to just stay in the moment, brain injuries and the importance of acceptance. Pete was a Forest Bathing sceptic before I trained and he took part in his first session, now he talks about "Tree speed" and well and truly sees and has received the benefits himself. "It's about being in the moment and just letting it happen." #ultrarunner #braininjury #headway #reasonstorun #environmentalprotection #forestbathing #naturetherapy Cath and Highland Quietlife can be found on https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife and emailed on highlandquietlife@outlook.com
"I'm completely not OK" one of those realisations we all get at some point or another. But what do we do with that thought? How many of us bury it and ignore it? How often do we actually stop, feel it, do something about it and importantly share it with someone else?!? This episode was recorded mid-October and me personally, I was not OK, but I'm grateful I have some tools to help me recognise that and importantly act upon it. This podcast explores more about how we act upon the 'wonky' feelings, setting goals and remembering who we are and why we are here. We blether about Higher Powers, nature connection, fear and choosing to take the power out of the problem. A big shout out to one of my 'happy places' that I mention; the Inverness Botanic Gardens http://www.invernessbotanicgardens.co.uk/ Cath and Highland Quietlife can be found on https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife and emailed on highlandquietlife@outlook.com
Season 2 of our Forest Bathing podcast kicks off with the most perfect of forest fairies; Leigha Horton of Minnesota based Nature and Forest Therapy company, Silvae Spiritus. The beauty of this girls company name sums her up; Silvae Spiritus is Latin and translates to "the breathing of the forest" - pure beauty in words. During this podcast she talks the 'whys' and 'how's' of Forest Bathing, with a slightly odd diversion to tortoises, before we get it back on track and focus again! "It felt like the universe hit a giant tuning fork and my heart vibrated in response." Leigha is a qualified Nature and Forest Therapy guide just like myself (Cath) and Moose, as trainer and mentor, she has been there since day one of our training. She was the perfect person to call upon to kick of season 2. You can find Silvae Spiritus and Leigha and Travis at https://silvaespiritus.com/ Cath and Highland Quietlife can be found on https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife and emailed on highlandquietlife@outlook.com
With the end of our training to be Nature and Forest Therapy Guides in sight, its time to round-up our experiences and look to the future! Highland Quietlife https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife
A 'solo walk' can be such a powerful event and it's deeply personal. Sunset to sunrise or sunrise to sunset, your choice; walking on your own; no communication with other people or screens, just you and the 'more than human world'. My first Solo Walk was an important finale to my intensive training week in LA, six months later my next walk was from sunset to sunrise and it felt like a suitable tribute to my practicum training and becoming a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. Here, Moose and I discuss our own experiences, Coyote visitations and even get gate crashed by a bat (...or not!) Highland Quietlife https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife
Invitations are how we, as Forest Therapy guides create opportunities for you to connect with your senses and the forest around you. “The guide is not there to speak for the Forest. The guide is there to create space for the forest to speak.” (ANFT) When we guide a Forest Bathing experience, we follow a specific sequence over the time we are together, part of this includes invitations. Invitations are not exercises or activities, there is no pass or fail and they are open to interpretation. They should be simple, non-prescriptive and involve the senses. The guide will keep track of the time and after maybe 15 – 20 minutes call the group back to a sharing circle where participants will then be asked to share simply and leanly, ‘what are you noticing?'.... Highland Quietlife https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife
The wonders of liminality..... from the Latin word līmen, meaning "a threshold". That glorious space between the 'tamed world' of mobile phones and general busyness and the 'untamed world' of unpressured, non-restrained relaxation. Example - twilight serves as a liminal time, between day and night—where one is 'in the twilight zone, in a liminal nether region of the night'. Liminality as defined by the ANFT, refers to a state of being that participants may find themselves experiencing during a Forest Therapy walk. The state of being is often characterised by a soft somatic awareness, a sense of timelessness, an active imagination, and a curious open heartedness. Liminal Journey – refers to an experience where one shifts into and then later out of a state of liminality through the physical and metaphorical crossing of thresholds. A Forest Therapy walk is an example of a liminal journey.
People are sometimes surprised by the amount of scientific research behind Shinrin Yoku or 'Forest Bathing'. Back in the 80's (I'm sure there is a song there somewhere), Japan transitioned to a heavily tech-based economy. At the same time a rise in autoimmune disease and cancers was noticed and so a number of research projects were instigated, one of these asked a simple question about what happens when we spend more time in nature? During this shorter podcast Cath and Moose discuss more about the science, phytoncides, fractal patterns and the power of colours. Association of Nature and Forest Therapy - The Science https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/about/science The colour green https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-green.html The colour blue https://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-blue.html “Green is restful to the eye. Studies show that a green environment can reduce fatigue.” Laird, donal A. “Fatigue: Public Enemy Number One: What It Is and How to Fight It.” The American Journal of Nursing (Sep 1933) 33.9 pp 835-41 “Green and Blue are the most relaxing colors as they are in the middle of the color spectrum and therefore cause the least amount of subconscious strain on your eyes. Hence, sitting out in a large green field on a cloudless day is one of the most relaxing things you can do for your mind.” Fractal patterns in nature https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/fractal-patterns-nature-and-art-are-aesthetically-pleasing-and-stress-reducing-180962738/ https://innerself.com/content/living/leisure-and-creativity/15263-why-fractal-patterns-in-nature-and-art-are-stress-reducing.html Highland Quietlife https://www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife
Our journey to become ANFT qualified Nature and Forest Therapy Guides, started in LA 2020 at the country arboretum. This was far more than a course where you hope the day cuts early, and you can snooze at the back of class! It was an intense week of learning and quite honestly.... therapy! This intensive week sets us up for 6 months of training to become qualified and an unexpected journey of nature connection. Contact Cath Wright on highlandquietlife@outlook.com Facebook www.facebook.com/highlandquietlife Instagram www.instagram.com/highland.quietlife LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden https://www.arboretum.org ANFT https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org
Cath, the Moose and why do we want to guide Forest Therapy? At the turn of 2020, we started individual journeys of training and personal development... what actually came along was laughter, tears, self-healing and an awesome friendship. With one of us (me) in the Scottish Highlands and the other some 7,000 miles away in British Columbia, we have walked alongside each other in our forests and on our trails, as we've trained to become Forest Therapy Guides with the ANFT. Words may sometimes get lost in translations from British to Canadian and we many head off topic and meander back eventually, but we've a shared understanding of the healing power of nature; those big old Granny trees and the beauty of early morning light as it slices through the forest. In our first podcast we discuss just how we heard about Forest Therapy, why we wanted to become guides and just what is the 'it' we talk about. Contact Cath Wright on highlandquietlife@outlook.com Facebook www.facebook.com/highalndquietlife Instagram www.instagram.com/highland.quietlife
Forest Therapy, also known as “Shinrin-yoku” refers to the practice of spending time in nature for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness. The aim of this short video is to give you a taster of what to expect in a typical session. For more information on Forest Therapy sessions with Highland Quietlife please email highlandquietlife@outlook.com
Join me for Shinrin-Yoku or Forest Bathing in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George, US Mindfulness Serenity Sober living
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