Give yourself a gift of relaxation as you slow down and connect to nature through the senses in these beautiful gardens! A perfect well-being activity for you, or with friends or family.
Two certified Forest Therapy Guides of the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA), will lead this exclusive Forest Therapy experience to help you slow down, awaken your senses, and reconnect with nature. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved attention and mood, and hitting the reset button on life.
Research shows that we need to get outdoors in nature for at least 120 minutes each week to reap its great benefits on our mental and physical health.
What is Forest Therapy?
The practice translates literally from Japanese “Shinrin-yoku” as “Forest Bathing” – immersing ourselves in the atmosphere of forests and other natural surroundings. Forest Therapy is now considered nature’s remedy to stress and a pathway to a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life. The practice is backed by thorough medical and scientific research – and the plethora of health benefits is wide-reaching.
What happens during a guided Forest Therapy session?
Your guides will introduce the science and evidence-based physical and mental health benefits of the practice of Forest Therapy. They will then guide you on a relaxing and rejuvenating meander, with plenty of time to slow down and soak up the beauty of these enchanting gardens.
A great way to soak up the sun, grounding in the healing powers of nature. Learn to savor nature by turning your attention to the moment-to-moment sensory flows of Shinrin Yoku. This is a very wonderful feast for the senses and helps us relax, with effects lasting for weeks.
The Royal Botanic Gardens provides a rich tapestry of sensory experiences that invite us into present-moment awareness. Over the two hours, you will spend some time walking at a leisurely pace under shaded canopies and lush ferns, sitting amongst trees and meandering through open lawns.
With a focus on slowing down, the guided walk encompasses a series of place-based activities on easeful nature trails, to help us relax, become present, and deepen our connection to nature. The experience invites room for listening, healing, reflection, quiet accepting presence, and inquiry through all the senses.
There is no right or wrong way to participate in the activities, simply follow your intuition and curiosity to explore the natural surroundings.
The Forest Therapy experience concludes with a tea-sharing ceremony, inspired by the Japanese way of tea.
------------Booking Conditions------------
All attendees must comply with the latest Public Health Order and State Government Guidelines regarding COVID-19 at the time of the booking taking place.
-----------------Things to know------------
- Please arrive by 9:45 am to fill out preliminary formalities. We will start the walk promptly at 10:00 am.
- The event will go ahead even in rainy weather. However, if we need to cancel due to inclement weather, bush fires or notifications from council or parks authorities, participants will be notified by 9:00 am on the morning of the walk.
- Phones and cameras should be turned off during the walk.
- The length of the walk is nearly two kilometers at a slow pace, on natural formed trails and grassy areas.
- Children and pets are not allowed on this guided session.
- Toilets are available at the gardens.
-----------What to wear and bring----------
- Dress appropriately for the predicted weather. Comfortable pants and layers work best.
- We recommend wearing closed, sturdy walking shoes.
- Carry a day pack and bring a raincoat, drinking water, snacks, insect repellent and any essential personal medications.
- You may like to bring something to sit on, e.g., a stool, chair, or blanket.
How to get to the gardens:
Directions: Follow the signs to the "Shop, Restaurant, Cafe, Toilets." You will come to the Visitor Centre next to the Gardens Shop. The guides wearing green shirts will be waiting for you outside the Visitor Centre.
We look forward to seeing you there!
—————————————————————————————————
The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their custodianship and connection with land, sea and sky. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, to the Elders past, present, and emerging. The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust’s land always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.
