Alderroot Healing & Renewal
Private Forest Bathing Walks
A delightful guided experience that will leave you feeling
more grounded, regulated, and deeply supported
What forest bathing offers
Forest bathing also known as forest therapy, is a nature connection experience inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku. This nature-based immersion offers support and nourishment through intentional relationship with the land. Forest Bathing is a guided, mindful walk and series of invitations to help you slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with the earth in a deeply personal way.
A guided forest bathing practice is a great complement to traditional therapy and to anyone who may be experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, perimenopause, grief, burnout, or other dis-ease.
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Research has shown that forest bathing allows the nervous system to deeply relax, reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, and improving cognitive function and sleep. Forest bathing will boost your sense of emotional well-being, immunity, and resiliency.​
And, forest bathing enables you to access more joy, curiosity, playfulness, spaciousness, and awe--states that are so important to cultivating resiliency in this era of dramatic change.
​My private forest bathing walks take place in forests near Portland Oregon. Each session includes invitations to:
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intentionally connect to your senses (a great antidote to anxiety)
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walk slowly and mindfully, taking time to really notice Life
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experience wonder and awe
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enhance your sense of presence, embodiment, and mindfulness
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sit in the forest, enjoying contemplative time to just be
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connect to other nature beings in a deeply personal way
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enjoy tea ceremony with snacks (we'll drink tea together made from local plants)
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​The healing effects of forest bathing will support and nourish you. Be guided into your body and senses and into beautiful relationship with the more than human world.
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"This experience was so nourishing, gifting me with a deeper way to connect with the earth and natural beings that surrounded us. I came away with feeling lighter and a sense of belonging. Heather is a welcoming, warm-hearted, thoughtful and experienced guide."
-Heidi
Schedule a Private Forest Bathing Session
Want to try out a private forest bathing session in the Portland area? I'll create a 1-1 experience that is tailored just for you, complete with tea and snacks. Week-days available.
Private sessions are $175 for a 90 min walk, or $300 when you purchase 2 walks + bring a partner or friend for just $25 more/walk.
"Heather was an incredibly warm, gentle, guiding presence who provided the perfect balance of both spaciousness and structure to guide my forest therapy session. I would highly recommend her and forest therapy for anyone who is in search of healing and meaningful connection with the earth."
-Erina
"Forest bathing was much needed! Immediately I was able to let go and relax. Heather was a wonderful guide, attuned to her different group member’s needs. I would definitely recommend this to everyone, even if its a little out of your normal wheelhouse!"
-Laura
"This was such a wonderful way to spend some time in the forest. Heather guided us in a forest bathing walk with a lot of skill and thoughtfulness. I left feeling grounded and happy!"
-Madelyn
Meet your Guide
Dr. Heather Burns
I am a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT). I have been guiding forest bathing since 2018 and love its capacity to quickly bring participants into states of ease, calm, and connection. I'm also an expert eco-spiritual facilitator, former professor of sustainability, and long-time experiential educator and nature-lover.
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I love sitting with (and sometimes in) trees, swimming in rivers, getting my hands into the soil, and engaging in contemplative practices like meditation, sit spot, yoga, dance, and of course forest bathing.
"The power of the forest is undeniable and the love and inspiration that you ooze is magnetic. I needed these forest bathing sessions more than I even realized. I feel connected to the land, to these people, and to myself. Thank you!"
- Sylvie
"A deep awareness of the gifts of the earth
and of each other is medicine."
Robin Wall Kimmerer
"I highly recommend a forest bathing session... I felt more relaxed and connected to nature afterward. More connected even to my own feelings.
It was very therapeutic."
- Audrey
