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Forest Bathing Series with Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi

November 9, 2019, @ 9:00 am - February 8, 2020, @ 12:00 pm HST

Various Saturdays, Nov 9 to February 8, 2020
9 am – 12 noon
Lyon Arboretum
3860 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI
– 15 people max –

$70 per person
$56 for Kamaʻāina 

Please note, all participants must register in advance. Registration closes 24hr prior to event start time.

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” John Muir[/caption]

Forest bathing is an evidence-based wellness practice that began in Japan in the early 1980’s, now a growing trend worldwide. “Forest bathing” is a translation of the Japanese term Shinrin-Yoku; you may also hear it referred to as “forest therapy” or “nature therapy.”

Enjoy a gentle, mindful walk, during which your guide will offer a series of invitations to reconnect you with your senses and the natural world. Your [experience] at Lyon Arboretum is 3 hours long. At Kahaluʻu, you spend 2 hours ambling through the gardens, with a tour of the art gallery afterward. At both locations, thereʻll be opportunity to sit in a quiet contemplation and your walk ends with tea and snacks.

Unlike a hike, there is no destination and, unlike a naturalist walk, you’ll gain knowledge through your senses not your intellect. Research has shown multiple physiological and psychological benefits, from lowered blood pressure and boosted immune functions to increased focus, clarity, and creativity.

Come, let’s take a walk and find in Hawaii’s natural wonders what you really need…and perhaps what you have to give.

Forbes called Forest Bathing Hawai‘i’s walk in a rain forest one of the top five travel experiences in the world “that should be on every intrepid traveler’s bucket list.”

Lonely Planet named our walk in an artist’s garden one of the ways to visit Hawaiʻi responsibly and respectfully.

Testimonials

This was an incredible experience! The Lyon Arboretum is stunning and Phyllis was the most amazing guide. I’ve done forest bathing on my own, but the presence of a gentle guiding voice to keep you focused and in-the-moment greatly enhances the experience. I felt like all of my senses were in overdrive (in a good way). After our time in the forest, I was so calm and present and soft, and that feeling stuck for the rest of the day. Highly recommended for forest enthusiasts and anyone who wants to (or needs to) learn to slow down.
– Gina, Oregon

Peace, focus, tranquility. These are just a few words that describe a Forest Bath facilitated by Phyllis Look. We are fortunate to be surrounded by natural wonders in Hawai‘i, but it is easy to ignore them and take them for granted. With gentle intention, Phyllis guided all of us into opening our eyes, hearts, and minds to a deeper level of harmony and healing, with meaningful and lasting results. Highly recommended.
– John Kalani Zak, filmmaker, Climate Reality Leader

You really want to do this, for three reasons: 1. Shinrin-Yoku can really help calm, rejuvenate and restore your sense of well-being, 2. Lyon Arboretum is absolutely beautiful, 3. Phyllis is a true professional who individualizes your experience and knows how to facilitate connecting us humans with ourselves and with the forest.
– Galen Chock, M.D., Honolulu pediatrician

As a busy professional who sits behind a desk and is constantly glued to my mobile device, I intellectually understand the value of disconnecting and slowing down; but actually doing it is easier said than done. This forest bathing experience was a chance to have a dedicated escape from a schedule and that feeling like you should be more productive than you are. This experience [at Kahalu‘u Gallery and Gardens] was two hours to explore and get quiet and be OK with being exactly where I was in the moment. Plus…. there were so many cool things to discover in the forest!!! I’ve never seen so many purple plants and leaves. Phyllis is a certified guide in this industry of natural healing, and you could tell. She was kind, intentional, helpful and welcoming. It was a great two hours well spent.
– Sam

Phyllis is a passionate and very, very special guide into the world of forest bathing. She was kind enough to let us participate with our 8-year-old twins, one of which is on the spectrum. She made him and us all immediately welcome. Don’t expect a normal hike, much of this experience is very slow and deliberate, forcing you to actually SEE and FEEL and HEAR the rain forest. There is the overused term of “being in the now.” It applies here.
– Daniela

Phyllis pays attention to every detail of the forest walk, and her knowledge, love, and respect for nature radiate. I would recommend this for both locals and visitors alike as everyone can benefit. It’s also a great value for a three-hour event!
– Jennifer

   Phyllis Look

When you walk together with Phyllis along easy trails under the forest canopy, she invites you to touch and listen to the trees, to smell and taste what the wind, to notice what you are seeing for the first time. Slowly, time deepens and the stresses of the modern world fall away.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Phyllis has lived for almost 60 years in the same valley in which she now guides. She has always loved the outdoors. An avid hiker, she belongs to the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club and has trekked in the Grand Canyon and in Provence, France.

She the owner of Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi and the state’s first and only forest therapy guide trained and certified by the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs and has now guided more than 70 walks. She is also certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA).

 

Phyllis Look
Owner, Certified Guide, & Trail Certification Consultant
Forest Bathing Hawai‘i
www.forestbathinghi.com
forestbathinghi@gmail.com

 

Halekulani in-room magazine, called Living recently featured forest bathing. 

See the English version of “The Giving Trees” here  and Japanese version here

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This post is also available in: 日本語 (Japanese)

Details

Start:
November 9, 2019, @ 9:00 am HST
End:
February 8, 2020, @ 12:00 pm HST
Event Categories:
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Venue

HI United States
Website:
https://stillandmovingcenter.com/venue/9032/