Desperately need some "me time" in nature where there's no pressure to perform, achieve any goals, meet any expectations, or do any mental work? Join me for a guided forest therapy walk!
For those of you new to guided forest therapy, you may be familiar with the term “forest bathing” or Shinrin-yoku, as it is called in Japan, which is a practice that started developing in the 1980s as response to a decline in public health. It’s good to know that while guided forest therapy practice through ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, it isn’t exactly the same. While forest bathing focuses on sensory immersion and well-being, in our walk we will focus on a relational experience with invitations to help you deepen your embodied connection with the nature around you. This is not a naturalist walk in the classic sense, in that we won't be focusing on plant and animal ID or classification during our time together. However, after the walk is completed you are more than welcome to nerd out on all the nature you made connections with during out walk.
We'll start on the Jack Creek Loop and see where our walk takes us into nature. And we'll end our walk with a short tea ceremony with some herbal tea and light snack (I will bring!) There is no goal for distance, pace, or exercise level, as this is not a "hike". We'll be take a very slow pace for a short distance, and there won't be challenging terrain. You can research the trail HERE, as well as on All Trails.
WHAT TO BRING
Registration is FREE and there is a limit of 12 PARTICIPANTS. Once the limit has been reached registration will close. If you want to be added to a wait list, in case there are cancellations/openings, just email me via my CONTACT form. Once the group is full, I will send you all a follow up email closer to the event with additional contact info, and feel free to contact me directly with any questions.
WAIVER FORM
After you check-out, you will receive both a cart prompt and an email confirmation with a link to a simple PDF download for a Waiver Form you must print, sign, and bring with you for the walk. I'll have some blank extras with me in case you forget yours! OR click HERE to preview and download directly now.
THE LOCATION
Trail Amenities: Restroom and fountains near the parking area.
Address: 6598 FM 2782, Nacogdoches, TX 75964. Find the entrance on FM 2782 between US 59 and TX 7. Travel through the first entrance gate, and take a sharp left at the second gate to find the small parking area at the trail head. There is no entrance or parking fee. We will meet near the Restrooms that are adjacent to the parking lot.
Directions; From Nacogdoches, take US Hwy 59 south for approximately 11 miles. Turn right onto FM 2782 for approximately 3 miles. Turn left into the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest and follow the signs. Here is a PIN
WEATHER
If weather turns inhospitable for our scheduled walk -i.e. heavy rain or very cold temperatures-we will cancel and email you to notify you as soon as we can before the schedule time, and will reschedule the walk.
Folia Forest Therapy is a service offered by Halleck Horticultural, LLC. Leslie Halleck is a provisional ANFT certified Forest Therapy Guide, in training!