Forest Walks with Julie Kanak

Experience the healing and wellness-promoting effects of shinrin-yoku, the practice of bathing the senses in the atmosphere of the forest. Awaken your senses and reconnect with nature during these mindful walks with Julie Kanak, a member of Blue Lotus Temple and a certified forest therapy guide.

On the walk, experience a series of guided, gentle invitations to open the senses, cultivate presence, and invite healing interactions between people and the natural world. To finish, enjoy a closing ceremony with tea, reflection and conversation!

We will meet in the Coral Woods parking lot in Marengo, IL. Please try to arrive early so we can start on time with the entire group present.

Hello, Forest Therapy Walk participants!I am so looking forward to being with you for our Forest Therapy experience! I Just wanted to send along some information for you before we actually meet.

A couple of logistical items…

Weather can always be iffy, but we will head out rain or shine unless it is dangerously stormy. Please bring along whatever you might need to feel comfortable…layers, water, raingear or a poncho, etc. We connect with nature on all kinds of weather days!

I know some of you might be familiar with forest therapy/forest bathing, but for those of you who are new to the practice, it is quite different from a traditional hike {which usually has a destination or a fitness goal in mind}, or a naturalist walk {with lots of information about flora and fauna}. I have guided many of both of those, but forest therapy is actually about none of those things! This was a lovely surprise as I was learning about forest therapy. A forest therapy walk, or forest bath, is about going slowly. It is about awakening and engaging the senses, and about being “bodyful” as well as “mindful” while absorbing all of the health benefits from being outside in nature, near trees, critters of all kinds, water, air and earth.

I will offer some guided experiences and invitations during our time together – you don’t have to do anything to prepare other than show up with an open mind and heart. You can truly unplug for a few hours, and take some time to be still with the natural world and let the natural world be with you. This might feel strange in the moment. It did to me at first. As hard as it might be to slow down for folks who usually have bodies and minds going at full speed ahead {myself included!}, I have come to deeply appreciate these experiences.

We will not cover a lot of distance on the walk so any comfortable shoes should work just fine, although they might get muddy . Some of our time will be spent being still, so some participants like to bring a small camping chair to sit on or even a mat or blanket to sit on or lie down on.

All are welcome. Bring whatever you might need to be comfortable and enjoy your two hour “bath!”I look forward to meeting you all.

Please feel free to call me with any questions at 847-417-7716 or [email protected].

Your guide, Julie

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset Drive, Marengo, United States