Forest Therapy at Geelong Botanic Gardens
Wattle Flowers

Join Susan Joachim, President of the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA), and Founder of Shinrin-Yoku, Forest Therapy Australasia, on an exclusive Forest Therapy experience in the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens. Bookings are now open via Eventbrite. What is Forest Therapy? The practice translates literally from Japanese “Shinrin-yoku” as “Forest Bathing” – immersing ourselves […]

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Finding joy and calm
nature journaling

The earth seems to be shifting under our feet. Nothing seems certain, and it’s easy to let our anxieties and fears grow. That is, if we focus on human affairs only. Because out there, in nature, the world is going on. Lives are born and lives end. Trees that are already hundreds of years old, […]

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Slower, Simpler, Nature
strolling along the Koororoit

I haven’t always managed my stress and more than not ignored the signs that my mind and body were trying to warn me about until I was completely depleted and burnt out. My job at the time was all consuming, I gave 110% to my special needs students and work colleagues. After work and on […]

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A Japanese experience of “Shinrin-yoku” Forest Therapy in Australia
Mayu Kataoka Forest Therapy trail

Mayumi Kataoka explains the essence of the practice “I feel it is the subtle combination of the raw colours under the Australian sky that adds a special ethereal quality like no other place. The colours are rich and beautiful and they seem to capture the Australian essence of life. The colours are just magical, a […]

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Make your sit spot practice private and intimate
touch giant leaf

I recently introduced the ‘sit spot’ practice to Shinrin-yoku forest bathers on a guided walk. Curious as to what this means, I explained the ancient practice of finding a place of intimate connection with nature – a place where you learn to sit still – alone, often and quietly — as well as playfully explore […]

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Ten nature-inspired practices to de-stress
Wellbeing Tourism

It’s a crazy week. Everything has to be PERFECT, on-time, on budget – or on credit card! We are on auto-pilot. We cannot unplug. I incorporate small, daily self-care habits to ensure that I am at my optimum — emotionally, physically and mentally. I’m sharing these ideas so that you, too, can take a little time […]

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If you ever feel lost, find yourself in nature
Shinrin-yoku pleasures

I have found ‘nature’ to be one of the common denominators in people’s healing journey. Physical healing aside, the natural world is where we have always gone in times of celebration and grief. It’s a place to find peace and wisdom. We all know intuitively that nature provides healing, refuge, peace and clarity. Is this […]

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Take a relaxing “Forest bathing” walk close to Melbourne – Toolangi
forest wind sculpture

Every weekend, I check out the best spots in close proximity to Melbourne for stressed-out city dwellers to escape to and experience forest bathing or ‘taking in the medicine of the forest’. Recently, as I drove through the beautiful Yarra Valley with my friend Richard, I realized how lucky we Melbournians are to have such […]

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Find a quiet place in nature and notice…

It’s now quiet. I notice a butterfly and another and another… vigorous flight over the tall grass alongside the creek. All the sounds of the birds are quietening, as the sun’s rays, and heat, penetrate through the tree canopy. Morning gives way to a sunny afternoon. It had been a long, wet winter. Sitting here […]

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