ENTER THE FOREST
Founder of Wildeye Adventures Yara is a certified Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) Practitioner. Guiding into forests and sharing valuable education on trees, woodland ecology & underground fungal root networks.
Yara has a strong connection and relationship to trees, woodlands & rainforest environments. Life experiences have led to spending time in forests around the world in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Borneo and the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
As a bushcraft & wilderness skills facilitator and environmental educator. Yara shares valuable knowledge to young people and adults on the healing power of trees & nature.
Enter the magical world of woodlands and forests. Tune human senses, your intention and awareness towards the natural world. Reawaken dormant brain chemistry and let the forest guide your intuition.
"There is no wifi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection"
Unplug from the system, get away from artificial frequencies and look to the trees. Breathe deep, be in the moment and exist (for a short while) with no plan or schedule. Allow the mind to let go of a fast pace lifestyle. It's important for mental wellbeing to become still and to live in the present moment.
Retune the human being. Humans are nature.
Forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) helps to rebalance the mind, body and spirit.
The natural world is the real world.
Stay human. Go to nature.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF SHINRIN-YOKU
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Boosts Immune System
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Lower blood pressure
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Relieves stress & anxiety
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Increases the body's Natural Killer Cells (Cancer fighting)
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Improves creativity
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Improves focus
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Enhances your senses
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Improves vision
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Lowers blood sugar levels
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Improves concentration
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Improves sleep (Insomnia)
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Improves cognitive skills
NEXT FOREST BATHING SESSION:
DATE:
16th JUNE 2024
TIME:
11am to 2.30pm (3.5hrs)
LOCATION:
Private Woodlands in Sevenoaks, Kent
PRICE:
£35 per adult / £25 Child (6+)
BOOKING REQUIRED. PLEASE EMAIL:
Parking is available on site. Address & directions will be sent via email upon booking.
Hammocks including during session to lay down & stare at canopy.
Water & snacks available on site. Free herbals teas provided round the fire.
You'll have the entire woodland space to yourselves with no members of public around, deer to possibly view if you're lucky. Be aware there are no toilets in these woods! It's the wild way here.
Maximum 15 people. Please email to book your place. You'll be emailed further details upon booking.
WHAT IS SHINRIN-YOKU?
The Japanese practice of "Shinrin yoku" aka Forest Bathing, is beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing. It is proven to reduce stress hormone production, improve feelings of happiness & free up creativity, as well as lowering heart rate and blood pressure, boosting the immune system and accelerating recovery from illness. “Social prescribing” and "nature therapy" is a growing movement in the NHS.
Doctors in Scotland have even started to prescribe bird watching & hiking as a form of nature healing & therapy. It is scientifically proven that just staring at trees through a window can help to reduce stress and lower anxiety levels. So imagine the positive health benefits of being in a forest.
“Forest bathing is an opportunity for people to take time out, slow down and connect with nature. We believe it could be part of a mix of activities for social prescription,” Stuart Dainton of the Woodland Trust says.
“Evidence about its benefits is building.”
Shinrin-yoku was developed in the 1980s in Japan. Although people had been taking walks in the country’s forests for centuries, new studies showed that such activity could reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and memory. A chemical released by trees and plants, called phytoncides, was found to boost the immune system. As more research highlighted the benefits of Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese government incorporated it into the country’s health programme.
Li - president of the Society for Forest Medicine in Japan, and the author of Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing – is a world expert and has conducted numerous studies. “It’s a preventative medicine, not a treatment,” states Li.
People spend their lives increasingly indoors. About 80% of Japan’s population lives in urban areas, and the average American now spends more than 90% of their time indoors. But we are designed to be connected to the natural world.
GROUP BOOKINGS & One to one sessions
WHO DO WE WORK WITH?
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SCHOOLS & YOUTH GROUPS
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CORPORATE GROUPS
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SOCIAL / COMMUNITY GROUPS
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INDIVIDUALS
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FAMILIES / COUPLES
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EVENTS / FESTIVALS
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MEDIA COMPANIES
WOODLAND LOCATIONS:
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Sevenoaks, Kent
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Buckinghamshire
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Croydon
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We are happy to travel to different woodland locations (Please email us to discuss possibilities)
PRICING:
Pricing depends time of year, group size & location. Private one to one forest bathing sessions can also be arranged.
Wildeye can support you in creating a healing woodland wellbeing experience.
Prices range between £15 - £45 per adult for group bookings.
Please email for any group bookings or enquiries
Timings are flexible. Forest bathing sessions normally last between 2 hours - 4 hours long.
We are based in a 23 acre private ancient woodland in Sevenoaks, Kent. We can also travel to different woodlands, if you have a woodland space you would like us to travel to, this can also be arranged.
You are welcome to arrange a forest bathing session for any type of group. All forest bathing sessions take place in woodlands. We work with schools, youth groups, teachers, corporate teams, social & community groups, as well as with families, individuals & community groups.
Please enquire for dates so we can arrange a woodland space in advance.
As well as taking part in forest bathing / mindfulness techniques, you will go on a walk through the woods to learn more about trees, plants, ancient trees & woodland ecology.
Hammocks can be included into forest bathing sessions. Please request hammocks. We can also end the session with a fire & herbal teas if you'd like. Fire can be hypnotising. Please enquire and share your intentions via the contact page. Or email: contact@wildeyeadventures.com
TESTIMONIALS
"Yara was fantastic! We were encouraged to explore our surroundings and pay close attention to our senses, feeling, smelling, hearing, seeing and even tasting! (Did you know pine leaves taste like citrus and are full of goodness?) As it got darker, our senses became even more switched on as we had to follow the sound of Yara's flute back to our meeting spot where we learned about the science behind how trees communicate with each other, how the bacteria in the outdoors supports a healthy microbiome and the neurobiology behind how trees and woodlands can help our bodies immune systems. Yara is incredibly knowledgable and passionate about her work which really captured the imaginations of our group. We managed to stumble our way back to the cars (without torches) feeling relaxed, calm and refreshed! My colleagues all messaged me the next morning telling me what a fantastic time they had, and how relaxed they still felt. One is excited to try out the hammocks on our next outing! 10/10 we are already planning our next one!"
- Ben Wingrove | Marish Academy Trust
"Thank you for a very special unique wonderful Shinrin Yoku walk with the group in the beautiful bluebell woods last Wednesday for Mental Health Awareness week. Still feel calm and relaxed" - Ginette Goulston-Lincoln
"We recently booked Yara to guide our team through a forest bathing experience as part of our annual corporate away day. We had a wonderfully relaxing afternoon in a beautiful setting at Brasted Chart. Yara's passion for the natural world was infectious. Everyone in the team was able to participate and the feedback we had internally was glowing. If you're on the fence, I recommend that you ask for the hammocks! Thanks, Yara!" - Molly Lewis | Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
"A very lovely relaxing experience made a nice change from the office. Loved the staring up at the canopy at the end"
- Tina Bartlett-Smith