Shinrin-yoku: nature therapy

What is the course about?

Nature therapy helps you to slow down, awaken your senses and connect with woodland in a deeply personal way. The tranquillity of nature offers stillness and quiet, the perfect setting for mindfulness and meditation.

• Boosts immune system functioning.
• Reduces stress levels.
• Increases ability to focus.
• Increases energy levels.
• Improves sleep.

We will meet in Richmond Park, Richmond upon Thames, London SW15 5JR. The exact location will be emailed to you after you've enrolled. Please allow enough time for public transport.

What will we cover?

• Mindful walking
• Presence and awareness.
• Deep listening skills.
• Connection with nature.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Develop your sensory awareness.
• Meditate in nature.
• Practise stillness and mindful walking.
• Awaken your senses to your environment.
• Deepen your connection with nature.
• Take part in a sake celebration ceremony (non-alchoholic available).

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Fitness levels that allow for gentle walking.
We will walk from Richmond Gate to Isabella Plantation (see map for length of walk and exact mileage) There will be no sitting for the first 90 mins, though there are seats available in the last 90 mins of the walk, with a cafe stop available at the end of the walk.
This course is off site at Richmond Park. We will meet at Richmond gate and walk through the park, stopping but not sitting, on our way to Isabella Plantation. NB this does not take place in an indoor setting or at City Lit, and will go ahead whatever the weather conditions. We will send you a map once you have enrolled.
There will be a closing celebration ceremony with sake (non alcoholic sake will be on offer).

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Talk
Experiential exercises
Enquiry and discussion.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No additional costs.
What to wear - comfortable outdoor clothing and footwear, water, umbrella.
Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial infection spread by infected ticks. Human infection is uncommon, because only a small proportion of ticks have the infection. However, those ticks that may carry Lyme disease are common in the countryside, especially woodlands and parks with deer, such as Richmond Park and Bushy Park.
To familiarise yourself with symptoms and things you can do to prevent tick bites, view the Tick Bites and Lyme Disease leaflet (PDF 459.83kB).

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Further course for our extensive program.