Guided forest bathing to quiet your mind and reset stress.
What forest bathing is.
Forest bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (森林浴), is the experience of immersing the senses in the forest environment.
It’s not exercise or hiking. Rather than focusing on distance or speed, forest bathing invites you to slow down, notice your surroundings, and reconnect with your body, breath, and surroundings.
It’s a guided sensory experience in nature. Notice what’s around you using your senses.
… Light filtering through the leaves.
… The texture of bark.
… Birdsong.
… Moments of quiet.
… The scent of the flowers.
You’ll explore the forest through a series of simple invitations designed on awareness of what’s present.
There’s nothing to get right, nowhere to be, just a deepened connection with nature in the present moment.
This is not a fitness hike, a nature lecture, or a fast-paced group walk. If you are looking for intense mileage, steep terrain, or a workout, this likely will not be the right fit.
Forest bathing unfolds slowly and intentionally.
We begin with a brief orientation and grounding, then enter the forest together. Walking less than a mile, the purpose isn’t distance, but noticing what the forest offers.
You can engage in a way that feels natural for you.
No prior experience is needed. These experiences are designed to be accessible, spacious, and restorative.
A typical gathering includes:
Orientation and grounding
Gentle movements and breathwork using Tai Chi & Qigong
Slow, mindful walking through the forest
Guided sensory invitations
Periods of quiet self-reflection
A closing tea ceremony
There is no right way to participate. You are simply invited to notice, explore, and experience the forest with fresh awareness.
Every experience is different. The season, the location, and the group make each one truly unique.
The Japanese concept of ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会) is the idea that each moment is unique and unrepeatable, or "once in a lifetime”.
Many people arrive feeling tired, overstimulated, or disconnected.
Forest bathing is especially supportive for people who feel the need to slow down, breathe more deeply, and reconnect with themselves outside the pace of daily life.
You do not need to be outdoorsy. Curiosity is enough.
Participants often come for:
Nervous system restoration
Relief from overthinking and constant doing
Time in nature without pressure or performance
Space for reflection, clarity, and reset
A deeper relationship with the natural world
Spending intentional time in the forest has been shown to support physical and emotional well-being.
Time spent intentionally in the forest has been shown to:
Reduce stress hormones
Support immune function
Improve mood
Promote a greater sense of calm
What Sets Our Forest Bathing Experiences Apart
01 / Thoughtful Locations
The setting truly matters. Each experience is held in a carefully chosen location that invites presence, reflection, and sensory awareness, helping you slow down and reconnect with nature.
02 / Expert Guidance
Led by Stephanie Grunewald, PhD, Certified Forest Bathing Guide, each gathering is shaped by over a decade of psychological knowledge and experience that supports regulation, reflection, and deeper presence.
03 / Meaningful Connection
These experiences are designed to foster connection not only with nature, but with the people joining you as well. Group size is intentionally limited, creating a more personal, spacious, and supportive experience.
/EVENTS & REGISTRATION/
Guided Forest Bathing Walk
Friday, April 24, 2026
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve (Map)
Slow down, awaken your senses, and reconnect with nature during this guided forest bathing walk with Stephanie Grunewald, PhD, Certified Forest Bathing Guide. Celebrate Arbor Day with a special event rate.
Guided Forest Bathing Walk
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Details TBA
Slow down, awaken your senses, and reconnect with nature during this guided forest bathing walk with Stephanie Grunewald, PhD, Certified Forest Bathing Guide. This special 2-hour event celebrates International Tea Day and will have an expanded tea ceremony.
Be the First to Know About Future Events
New forest bathing experiences are being added regularly.
Sign up to know when events are added. You’ll receive advance notice before events are publicly released.
/YOUR GUIDE/
“Through nature, I discovered a new version of myself.”
Hi, I’m Stephanie.
I help women work through daily stress to ease its symptoms, like exhaustion, overthinking, and overdoing.
I’ve experienced them firsthand.
For years, I managed everything life threw at me without stopping to ask if it was really working. I just kept going.
When I lost my mom to early-onset Alzheimer’s, I was forced to pause and reassess… everything.
In the quiet space of hiking trails, I reconnected with myself and found clarity about what I truly wanted. Through nature, I discovered a new version of myself.
The hard part was making change happen.
I searched for coaches, communities, and programs, but none focused on what I needed most: Learning how to grow through stress, not just manage it.
That’s when I began reframing stress as a source of strength.
As in nature, stress is part of life. And it teaches us what we need most.
I’m here to help women do the same: Create sustainable change and live with more clarity, confidence, and peace.
Stephanie Grunewald, PhD
Certified Forest Bathing Guide
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Many people like to sit or lie down, so bring whatever helps you feel at ease.
Supportive walking shoes
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (layers can be helpful)
Water
A journal, if you’d like one
Curiosity and openness
Sessions take place outdoors and will be held in most weather conditions, including light rain or snow.
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Not at all. This experience is gentle, welcoming, and accessible. You must be able to walk and navigate outdoor terrain.
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No. This is a slow, supportive outdoor experience, not a strenuous hike.
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We work with nature, not against it. If the weather requires an adjustment, you’ll receive guidance about the plan.