Forest Therapy
Join us on Sunday, December 17 from 9:00 -11:30 a.m. for a Nature Forest Therapy Walk Forest led by Diana Markuson.
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Join Diana in the forest to experience slowing down, opening our senses, staying present and connecting with nature on a deeper level. The short walk includes a meditation to open our senses, invitations offered to deepen our relationship with nature, sharing circles and tea served made from a plant growing on the trail.
Forest Therapy, also known as Forest Bathing, is a slow and relaxed stroll of about 3 hours and a distance no longer than 2 miles, through a natural environment. During the walk, your Certified Forest Therapy Guide will help you awaken your senses and slow down to be present, away from your worries, and connected to nature.
Forest therapy is inspired in Shinrin Yoku (which literally means forest bathing), that began in the early 80’s in Japan, in response to high stress levels in the country’s population that lead to a spike in cancer and autoimmune diseases. The government of Japan wanted to create a way to get people out into nature again, to have spaces for leisure and relaxation. Through a series of studies they found how beneficial it is to be in touch with Nature.
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The practice is backed up by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy in Arizona. The ANFT is the strongest and best-organized forest bathing organization outside of Japan.
Forest Therapy Guides
Gabriela Guedez
Gabriela is a Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT). Nature is her office and outdoor activities are her passion.
She partners with people to repair and rebuild relationships with the Land and the More Than Human World, as a foundation for healing people and the planet.
deepening relationships of reciprocity.
A Business Analyst from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada. Born and raised in Venezuela, currently living in Houston, Texas with more than 18 years of experience working for different multinational corporations in the Fortune ranking Global 500®. Being a native Hispanic allows Gabriela to apply her knowledge of the culture and assist in coordinating and communicating with Spanish speakers in North America and Spanish-speaking countries.
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“The forest is the therapy, the guide opens the door”
Diana Markuson
Diana is a certified forest therapy guide, trail crew member, trail steward and passionate lover of nature. She is a native Texan and has been a psychiatric nurse for over 30 years. She finds forest therapy to be an excellent mental health practice.
