Forest and Therapy Walks

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Earth Night Walk Friday, April 21, 2023

Teasel near the pond at Mabee Farm

Please join us for a FREE Earth Night event at Schenectady County Historical Society’s Mabee Farm.

Activities from 4 to 8 pm, including my forest therapy walk from 6 to 7 pm. Enjoy presentations on raptors, aquatic life, herbs, kids’ crafts and farm management, with music by Earth’s Children, and a campfire with stories to finish!

Located at 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam, NY, 12150–with the Mohawk River in sight.

schenectadyhistorical.org/event/earthnight2023

A place of reflections: the pond at sunset, Earth Night 2022.

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Some invitations for difficult times

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Orange-pink birch bark gives us color while we wait for spring wildflowers. John Boyd Thacher (North) State Park, April 2020

In this time of hunker down and keep to ourselves, I was wondering what I could possibly do to use my skillset for the community. Pretty immediately, I was surprised by a phone call. 

Last September, I led a forest therapy walk for the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy at Strawberry Fields Preserve in Amsterdam, NY. (I will write about this experience—and soon—I promise!)

Carrie, my contact at MHLC, asked:  Could you lead a virtual hike, and what might that look like?

In response I created two short meditations modeled on the invitations we offer in forest therapy. One is for folks who cannot go outside and one is for when you go out for your daily healthy walk for fresh spring air and long leg movements—or whatever suits you and your body.  Kids can use them, too.

You can play the recordings on your device inside or outside.

https://mohawkhudson.org/virtual-hikes-and-lessons

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Mosses and lichens glow in the woods, too. So many shades of green! John Boyd Thacher (North) State Park, Perimeter Path.

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September 2019 Forest Therapy Guided Walks

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Notice the bridges–from where you are to where you want to be. YMCA Camp Chingachgook, Pilot Knob NY

Welcome to the season I call Fading-Summer-Into-Fall, which can be a pretty wonderful time to start or continue a nature practice, to feed your spirit as we move into the more internal times of fall and winter. This year it happens to be when I offer the most forest therapy walks in one month!

I plan to update this website soon with photos and meditations on the walks I did over the past two years and information about any later fall and winter offerings. Thanks for your patience and interest.

Upcoming forest therapy walks:

Saturday, September 7, 2019, 9 am to noon.  Celebrate International Forest Bathing Day with a free walk with Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy at Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve, Amsterdam NY.  Wander the woods and edges of a working farm in the glow of clover and goldenrod. Only a few spaces left. Sign up here:

mohawkhudson.org/events/

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To walk a path, slowly, patiently. Strawberry Fields Preserve, Amsterdam NY.

Friday, September 13- Sunday September 15, 2019. Women’s Adventure Weekend at YMCA Camp Chingachgook, Pilot Knob (Lake George) NY. 

I never went to sleep-away camp, so this feeds a whole ‘nother side, allowing the kid in me to truly “play” in a new way. I LOVE this weekend.

I will offer a forest therapy walk on Saturday morning, and there will be a wonderful array of Camp For Grownup Women activities over the weekend. Delicious meals (the chefs are great with dietary modifications), lodging and most activities included in a beautiful historic/rustic camp environment. Starts Friday night through Sunday lunch.

Along with the walk and opportunities to play in the lake (swim, paddle sports), women can do camp activities. In the past they’ve offered wood-burning, tie-dye, beading, ropes course, exercise classes, movie-themed trivia and costuming opportunities (this fall it’s “Mamma Mia”/ABBA), archery, guided hikes, and way way more. Activities are all optional; you could just sit around and read or daydream while looking at the lake. Take a relaxing, invigorating weekend away!

Non-YMCA members $235, YMCA members $225.

Sign up here:

camp.cdymca.org/retreats/women/

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What do you want to reflect on? The wetland path at Camp Chingachgook, Pilot Knob, NY

And finally, Saturday September 28, 2019, I’ll be doing a forest therapy experience at the Kweilyn Taylor Survivor Retreat, “Anchored in Hope,” for women and men survivors of cancer, held at Wiawaka Center for Women in Lake George and sponsored by Saratoga Hospital. The event is free and registrations are currently closed but they do maintain a waiting list, as last-minute cancellations are expected. Information, including the phone number, below.

www.eventbrite.com/e/kweilyn-taylor-survivor-retreat-anchored-in-hope-tickets-51514469164#tickets

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What new beginnings do you seek? Sunrise over Lake George, NY..

Thank you for your interest in Nature and Forest Therapy. Happy September!

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Forest Therapy Experience at Hope Club Garden: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 6-8 pm

 

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On the night of my introductory talk this early June, rain gushed out of the sky, pooled in the streets, and alternated dark and light, heavy and sprinkling. A small group gathered around the cozy kitchen table at Hope Club in Latham, New York, and shared our deep experiences of nature, along with what science tells us about the healing effects of the natural world.

Because of the cooler temperature and the storms, we stayed indoors and sank our senses into photos of nature. Over pizza and salad, we talked about how being in or even thinking about the outdoors moved us–from thoughts of illness or anxiety to the “blessings of blooms and butterflies,” as one participant put it.

The scary and rushed sensation of getting to the building through rush hour traffic and bad weather faded; somehow, we became more ourselves.

It was decided, unanimously, I’d return to Hope Club to do an actual walk-experience, and this will happen in their beautiful garden on Thursday, July 20, from 6 to 8 pm.  Again, the evening is free, some food will be provided, but please pre-register with Hope Club, (518) 220-6960, or through the Contact Us tab on this blog.

*Programs with Hope Club are open to ANYONE whose life has been touched by cancer, not just patients or family members.

This announcement is cross-posted on my writing blog, OfTheEssenceBlog.com 

July 20 FTG Experience, Hope Club (updated)

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Forest Therapy Guiding Talk at HopeClub: Monday, June 5, 2017

I understand this is a late announcement, but my new day job has kept me from social media almost entirely.  Please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

The American Cancer Society’s local HopeClub in Latham offers programs “for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer.”

This free evening presentation/experience includes dinner, so please RSVP to me and I will get the word to them you are joining us!

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“The Forest is the therapist; the guide opens the door.”

An Introduction to Nature and Forest Therapy

Monday, June 5, 2017, 6 to 8 pm The HopeClub, One Penny Lane, Latham

Unplug.

Breathe with clouds, trees, water, flowers.

Come, live in the untamed world for a while.

Do you feel intuitively that being outdoors in nature can make you feel better or centers you?

Have you heard about Japanese shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” and wondered what it might be like to experience? Would you like to know more about this scientifically researched restorative practice and try it for yourself?

Diane Kavanaugh-Black, Nationally Certified Forest Therapy Guide, yoga instructor and local writer, will talk about what a Guided Forest Walk is, what it isn’t, and why you might participate in one! We’ll try it out with a short nature invitation and then together choose where Diane will lead a full Guided Walk this summer for HopeClub.

 

HopeClub Ask the Expert Forest Therapy 06-05-17

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Forest Therapy Walk August 21st

At the minimum, I had hoped for a lovely day among the shady apple trees, next to the pond and tiny bubbling stream–even out on the hot July grass. As we slowly moved past water lilies and the nodding raspberry bushes, then shared in a circle later, the morning expanded into an even larger and more important experience for everyone, far beyond what I had hoped for.

This is some of what the participants shared after my first forest therapy walk in July:

[I have] become more aware of the small and large beauty around us, and the greater possibility and actuality of greater PEACE.

You would only be helping yourself [to do a walk]; you have to disconnect to reconnect.

Wonderful for helping you take yourself to another level of mindfulness…

I am calmer. Slowed down. More peaceful.

Won’t you join me on Sunday August 21 from 10 am to 1 pm in Troy on the next walk?  

It’s FREE. (More information below and in the pdf flyer.)

****Use the Contact Us tab above to register for the event.*****

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NATURE & FOREST THERAPY WALK

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016, 10 AM TO 1 PM

at a six acre private residence in Troy NY

Led by Diane Kavanaugh-Black: Forest Therapy Guide, yoga instructor, local writer & photographer

This introductory walk is FREE, though donations will be happily accepted.

**Forest Therapy is a series of guided sensory invitations into a deeper connection with nature, that takes place in state parks, nature preserves, arboretums, gardens and private spaces. Light hearted and yet potentially profound, the approach slows us down and opens us to possibilities.

**Forest Therapy allows individuals and groups to experience the healing effects of the outdoors and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical condition. The walks are generally under a mile and on easy terrain. No special knowledge or background is needed.

**Nature and Forest Therapy is a research-based restorative practice which comes out of Japanese shinrin yoku or “forest bathing.” Among other benefits, it has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and increase immune function. You may have seen recent articles in the Washington Post, Yoga Journal, USA Today or U.S. News & World Report, or on National Geographic Explorer channel.

**Further information and links to scientific research and media reports about Forest Therapy can be found at the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs .

08-21-16 Forest Therapy Walk flyer

Forest Therapy Walk in July

Mandala: bird's foot trefoil.

Mandala: bird’s foot trefoil.   ~~ Let nature do the healing.~~

Here is the first of the promised summer walks in upstate New York, and a .pdf to pass on to anyone who might be interested.

July 22 Forest Therapy Walk flyer

**Please indicate your interest through the “Contact Us” link at the top of this site, and more information will follow.**

Light over the water: breathe in the calm.

Light over water: breathe in the calm.

NATURE & FOREST THERAPY WALK

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016    10 AM TO 1 PM

at a six acre private residence in Troy NY

Led by Diane Kavanaugh-Black: Forest Therapy Guide, yoga instructor, local writer & photographer

This introductory walk is FREE, though donations will be happily accepted.

**Forest Therapy is a series of guided sensory invitations into a deeper connection with nature, that takes place in state parks, nature preserves, arboretums, gardens and private spaces. Light hearted and yet potentially profound, the approach slows us down and opens us to possibilities.

**Forest Therapy allows individuals and groups to experience the healing effects of the outdoors and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical condition. The walks are generally under a mile and on easy terrain. No special knowledge or background is needed.

**Nature and Forest Therapy is a research-based restorative practice which comes out of Japanese shinrin yoku or “forest bathing.” Among other benefits, it has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and increase immune function. You may have seen articles in the Washington Post, Yoga Journal, USA Today or U.S. News & World Report recently, or on National Geographic Explorer channel.

**Further information and links to scientific research and media reports about Forest Therapy can be found at the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs .