Recharge your batteries with forest bathing: an immersion with Iris

A immersion in the heart of the forest

Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku , originated in Japan in the 80s. More than just a walk in the forest, it is a true sensory immersion that invites you to slow down, refocus and reconnect with nature through all the senses.

Iris, a forest bathing guide, speaks about it with passion:

"The idea is to fully immerse oneself in the forest and the surrounding nature, to encounter the trees, to listen to the surrounding sounds and pay attention to them. It's about awakening all your senses to fully experience the adventure. It's an adventure to be lived, much more than a simple walk in the forest."

A moment of listening and connection

Forest bathing is for everyone, including the youngest.

“With children, we use different approaches to capture their attention. Before starting, we stomp our feet to release energy. We favor a playful approach, because they are, above all, children. The goal is to introduce them gently, without disturbing the balance of the forest. From the age of 2, they can participate, particularly in new projects, such as the one currently being carried out with the Ried daycare center.”

The goal is simple: to soothe, create an emotional connection with the forest and raise awareness of ecology.

"A child who develops a strong connection with nature from a young age will respect it more as they grow up."

Walking barefoot in the forest: a unique experience

"I love walking barefoot in the forest, even in winter!" laughs Iris. She explains that, although some may be reluctant at first, everyone eventually joins in.
"Children hesitate at first, then end up running on the trail. Adults love it too! It allows you to slow down, to feel the ground beneath your feet differently, and to rebalance the body's natural electrical charge."

Walking barefoot also offers postural benefits and helps to better manage stress.

A reassuring and structured framework

The forest bathing sessions mainly take place in the Neubois forest, a place that Iris knows by heart.

"Each route is prepared in advance. I select specific trees and spaces conducive to listening. Nothing is left to chance."

It welcomes groups of 10 to 25 people, adults and children alike, and ensures that a well-defined framework is established.

"The walk is done exclusively in silence, which can be a challenge for many, children as well as adults," she explains with a smile.

The route takes on average 2 hours and covers 3 to 4 km.

"The idea is to take your time, to observe, to listen, and to feel."

What is a forest bath like?

A typical session includes several steps:

A time for welcoming and preparing

A slow, silent walk punctuated by sensory exercises

A writing workshop to express one's feelings (an activity that can be repeated with the arrival of warmer weather)

A closing session with a round of speaking and discussion

"Being accompanied by a guide allows you to feel safe, to discover exercises you wouldn't do alone, and to share a unique moment with the group."

Iris's journey 

Iris's path to forest therapy is inspiring.

"Until I was 25, I never went into the forest. Then I got a dog, and I had to start walking it. At first, I was afraid of the forest, so I advanced in small steps... 500 meters, then a kilometer, then entire hours of walking."

She discovered forest therapy two or three years ago. She took a training course last spring with Manuela Pechmann.

“In 2018, I went through a difficult period and needed to reconnect with myself. It was a turning point in my life, which pushed me to find a way to reconnect with myself and with the world around me.”

Today, it offers forest bathing for a wide audience: businesses, schools, after-school programs, nurseries, nursing homes, and even individuals.

"I can organize sessions in the middle of a forest, but also in a garden or even indoors, where we use sounds and images of nature. It has been proven that simply looking at a photo of a tree is calming thanks to the shades of green."

Taking the time to reconnect with nature

Forest bathing is accessible to everyone.

"There are no contraindications, except to be vigilant regarding allergies or ticks. Each session is adapted to the participants, and I ensure that everyone benefits from it."

Iris's goal? To bring people back to nature, to allow them to create their own experience and to rediscover that instinctive connection with their environment.

"The emotional connection with the forest is essential for raising awareness about ecology and encouraging environmental preservation."