Community Forest Connection
Slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your own nature in nature.
"Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond." — Robin Wall Kimmerer.
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing, also known as forest connection, is a slow, guided experience in nature that invites you to reconnect with your senses and the living world around you.
Unlike hiking or exercise, forest connection is not about distance, fitness, or reaching a destination. It is about slowing down, noticing what is present, and allowing the nervous system to settle through gentle sensory invitations.
This practice is inspired by traditions of nature connection found across cultures, including Japan, and is offered here with respect for the land and the Indigenous peoples who have long been in relationship with it.
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A typical forest connection experience lasts about 2–2.5 hours and involves:
Sharing circles (up to 10 participations)
Time for quietness
A series of gentle sensory invitations
Slow walking and quiet time in nature
A closing tea practice
We usually walk less than one mile in total, often much less.
No prior experience is needed.
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Spending slow, mindful time in nature has been shown to support well-being.
Participants often report:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Improved mood and emotional balance
Greater sense of calm and clarity
Deeper connection to nature and self
Increased feelings of belonging and community
Research on forest bathing has also found:
Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels
Improved immune system function
Lower blood pressure and heart rate
Boosts immune functioning through NK Cell Activity and Anti-Cancer Proteins
Enhanced focus and creativity
While forest bathing is not psychotherapy or a medical treatment, many people find it deeply restorative.
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Forest connection is for anyone who:
Feels overwhelmed, stressed, or mentally busy
Wants to reconnect with nature
Enjoys quiet, reflective experiences
Is curious about slowing down
Seeks gentle community connection
You do not need to be athletic or experienced in the outdoors.
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Comfortable layers for the weather
Closed-toe walking shoes
Water for drinking
A small snack if needed
Something to sit or lie on such as a towel, mat, or blanket
Weather appropriate gear such as hats, sunscreen, rain coats, etc.
About the Guide
Forest bathing walks are guided by Imuri Pacheco, a certified forest therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
My approach is gentle, down-to-earth, and rooted in creating safe, welcoming spaces for people to slow down and reconnect with the natural world, themselves, and each other. Forest connection is a reminder that we are nature.
While I am also a practicing psychotherapist, these walks are not therapy sessions. They are simple, guided experiences in nature, open to anyone who feels called to slow down and spend time among the trees.
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I began offering forest connection walks out of a lifelong love of nature. Trail running, wandering quiet paths, and spending time among trees and animals have always been places where I felt a sense of safety, clarity, and belonging.
Over time, this connection also became a response to a changing climate and an uncertain world. Being in nature has helped me feel more empowered, more rooted, and more connected to what matters. I wanted to share that experience in community.
In a world that is often highly intellectual, fast-paced, and filled with words, forest bathing offers something different. It invites us into somatic experience: pausing, sensing, listening, and simply being present. I’ve noticed that when we gather this way, connection deepens organically, both with the natural world and with each other.
Additional Training: Certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR through WildMed
Acknowledgment