Your Forest Footsteps
refresh reset revive
Cut through the noise, create calm
Research-backed therapy that delivers results
What is Forest Therapy?
森
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The woodland as your therapist
The practice of ‘forest bathing’ was coined in the ‘80s in Japan, and is known as ‘shinrin-yoku’ ( 森林浴 ), where it is an integral part of daily life for many people. The numerous health benefits have been recognised around the globe.
Your Forest Footsteps is a guided, healing and preventative therapy that takes place in outdoor spaces, typically woodlands.
It is not a traditional talking therapy, rather, an immersive one, reconnecting with yourself and nature .
As a practitioner, I help to guide you, help you to slow down, hold space for you to set aside some of life’s challenges. This is done through a series of ‘invitations’, tuning into your senses and the space around you.
You deserve to feel better, to allow yourself some time to reset. Take the time for yourself, book onto a session and take Your Forest Footsteps to improving your health.
You may book a session for all sorts of reasons.
To help lower blood pressure or reduce cortisol levels. To improve mood or support elements of overcoming fatigue. Each session will be up to 2 hours long and will have a maximum of 10 people in the group. There are opportunities to share your brief reflections, should you wish to, as we go through the session as well as taking part in creativity.
I run regular sessions from Todmorden through to Halifax throughout March to October and a reduced timetable of sessions November - February.
Who am I?
Hello! I’m Sarah,
I am a specialist Forest Therapy Practitioner, offering sessions throughout the seasons in Calderdale and Burnley.
I have come to this role by a round about route, having done a Law degree after leaving school, working in a support role in the NHS to becoming a Primary teacher! After more than 20 years in the classroom, I wanted to find a way to work with nature and support adults. I bring my experience in supporting others, finding ways to nurture and guide people, from broad socio-economic, cultural and neuro-diverse backgrounds, in making their own discoveries and explorations, from the classroom to outdoors and forest school environments.
As adults we have become more removed from the nature we come from, and from that sense of awe and wonder we carried as children. Day to day challenges and stresses, our sense of busy-ness and carrying the mental load can lead to putting our own needs and wellbeing on the back burner. I did this for years and since starting regular forest bathing I feel reconnected, healthier and happier.
I have always recognised that I feel better when I’m in nature or after visiting. When exploring ways to reconnect I discovered Shinrin-Yoku ( 森林浴 ) translated to forest bathing, and the growing body of research into its benefits, I realised just how amazing forest therapy is. I wanted to bring it to adults, to help people in finding a way through life’s challenges and support people in maintaining balance.
My Forest Therapy Practitioner training is accredited by the CMA ensuring that high standards of professionalism, ethics and quality are met.
Physiological benefits
Reduces blood pressure
Reduces cortisol levels
Boosts immune system
Increases NK activity and cells
Improve heart rate variability
Mental health benefits
Improves mood
Re-invigorates
Reduces anxiety
Reduces fatigue
"An opportunity to enhance perception and take more notice of what is usually taken for granted amongst more 'pressing' matters."(L)
"The invitations were perfect guidance to focus your attention but still make space for individual exploration and interpretation." (S) "It's lovely to be back in nature with like minded people." (J) "Absolutely loved the forest bathing session, thank you!" (B)
"An opportunity to enhance perception and take more notice of what is usually taken for granted amongst more 'pressing' matters."(L) "The invitations were perfect guidance to focus your attention but still make space for individual exploration and interpretation." (S) "It's lovely to be back in nature with like minded people." (J) "Absolutely loved the forest bathing session, thank you!" (B)
