Root & Rise: An Immersive Forest Experience for Women

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Overview

Join ecologist Aaliyah on the Fall Equinox for a gentle, nurturing forest bathing experience designed to reconnect you with nature, your senses, and your inner essence. Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, began in Japan in the 1980s as a way to combat stress and burnout by mindfully immersing in nature’s sights, sounds, and smells. Research shows it lowers stress and anxiety, boosts mood and focus, strengthens the immune system, and supports heart health and restful sleep. This practice offers a simple yet powerful way to reconnect with nature’s healing energy and improve overall well-being.

This women-only gathering invites you to move with intention, awaken your inner child’s curiosity and playfulness, and explore the forest through gentle breathwork, grounding yoga, scavenger hunts, creative writing and art prompts, and educational insights. The experience includes a total of one mile of walking at a slow pace on easy terrain with pauses for stillness, nature art & journaling, and sensory exploration.

We’ll close with a 10-minute sound healing session and a potluck picnic with a herbal tea ceremony to integrate and reflect in community. By the end of the session, you’ll feel refreshed, rooted, and reconnected—like your body and spirit just received a much-needed reset. Limited spots keep the experience intimate and restorative.

Tickets:

Open to women ages 16 and older. All backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels are welcome.

Tiered Tickets:

• $10 – Community Rate (for those with limited income)
• $20 – Standard Rate (fair exchange for the experience)
• $30 – Supporter Rate (helps provide sliding scale spots for others)

What You’ll Receive:

• Breathwork and grounding yoga in nature
• A guided forest bathing walk with sensory exploration, creative journaling and art prompts, and nature-based scavenger hunts
• A relaxing sound healing session, picnic, and herbal tea ceremony to reflect and connect in sisterhood
• Take-home integration tools and materials

What to Bring:

• Water bottle
• Food for the picnic
• Comfortable layers and shoes (barefoot optional on trail sections)
• Journal and pen/pencil
• Yoga mat, towel, or blanket (optional for yoga)

Weather Policy

We prioritize your safety and comfort. Light rain is fine, but in the case of thunderstorms or severe weather, we’ll cancel or reschedule and notify you at least 24 hours in advance (or by the morning of, if weather is uncertain). Full refunds will be issued if the event is canceled.

Health & Safety

Please be sure you’re physically able to participate in a gentle walk on natural terrain. Let us know ahead of time if you have allergies or medical needs. Aaliyah is Wilderness First Aid certified and will have a full kit, map, bug spray, sunscreen, and ponchos on hand. If you’re feeling unwell, we kindly ask that you stay home—we’ll gladly issue a refund or credit toward a future hike.

About the Host

Aaliyah is a Cincinnati native with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Cincinnati. She has led several forest bathing hikes through a college organization she once led and is deeply passionate about helping others reconnect with nature. Aaliyah currently works with the U.S. Forest Service in Payson, Arizona, where she hikes remote terrain to monitor rare and sensitive plant species. She's also an ecstatic dance DJ and hosts a monthly dance gathering in Cincinnati. Hosting this forest bathing experience has been a dream of hers for a while, and she’s excited to bring it to life during her visit back home.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

California Woods Nature Preserve, 5400 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, United States