Forest Bathing Walk / Baño de bosque / Shinrin Yoku / Amstelpark-Amsterdam

Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is a practice that involves immersing oneself in a forest or other natural environment to improve mental and physical health. It's not about taking a hike or exercising in the woods, but rather about engaging in a mindful and intentional connection with nature.

Research has shown that spending time in nature can have a positive impact on mental health:

• reducing stress

• improving mood

• increasing feelings of calm and relaxation.

This is thought to be due in part to the restorative effects of nature on the mind and body.

I have been trained and certified by Forest Therapy Hub, during the guided walks I will apply the FTHub Method. A practical tool for designing mindful nature connection activities and planning them in various sequences to promote nature connectedness under the theoretical principles of human-nature interaction, scientific evidence and the conceptual framework of Planetary Health.

The guided walk will last around 2 - 2,5 hours, we’ll walk no more than a kilometer and a half, which should give you a notion of our pace. I’ll be proposing a series of nature connection activities structured in a carefully designed sequence that aims to create experiences that enhance nature connectedness and strengthen social relationships, boosting the therapeutic and restorative effects of nature for health and well-being. We will have the opportunity to share our experience after the activities, and we will share a warm cup of tea at the end of the walk with all the participants.

To ensure your comfort and preparedness, here's some useful information:

What to Bring:

- Snacks and water if you need to.

- Something to sit on, such as a plastic bag if it's raining, or a towel.

- Clothing and footwear suitable for the weather conditions.

Important Details:

- Please note that the forest bathing walk will be canceled with less than 3 registrations. In that case you will be notified in time and you can participate on another date

- Kindly be aware that if you cancel later than 48 hours before the start of the event, the rights to a refund or free participation in a future event will lapse.

- Due to the nature of our practice and to ensure everyone's enjoyment, I will begin the walk at the scheduled time.Please note that if you arrive late, I may not be able to wait for you.

- Children over 12 years old are welcome to join if accompanied by adults, but animal buddies, unfortunately, can't accompany us on this journey.

- The session can be led in English and Spanish

In the event of cancellation due to severe weather, participants will be notified by 8 a.m. the day of the event.

How to get to the meeting point?: let's meet outside the main entrance to the park, by the Amsteltrein and Rosarium restaurant.

*By car: Parking is free during the weekend, and there are plenty of parking spaces usually!. Enter the large car park on the right side of the main entrance to the restaurant Rosarium, and the small car park on the left side of the main entrance.

*Public transport : the Amstelpark is a 5-minute walk from the RAI station.Metro lines 50, 51 and 52 and tram line 4 come to the RAI station.Bus 62 stops in front of the door at the Weerdestein stop.

How to contact me?:

If you have any questions, please send an email to: shiatsusi.susana@gmail.com

Visit my website: www.shiatsusisusana.com

Instagram &Facebook: shiatsusi.susana

Warm regards,

Susana