Forest baths
Calendar
I had been under the spell of myths and old stories since I was 8 years old. I devoured all the comics of Suske en Wiske and learned more about Norse and then Greek mythology through them. During my Ancient Greek lessons, the teacher asked if I would sometimes like to tell the Greek myth. Since 2013 (or maybe even earlier) I have been working on themes such as natural philosophy, ecopsychology, permaculture and ecofeminism. I also did all kinds of training, such as in leadership, change management, creativity (film and writing) and sustainability. In 2017 I also moved to Japan for my PhD, as well as to learn more about Japanese philosophy of nature and Shinto. I have visited many spiritual places and often reflected and philosophized in my diaries. In 2019 I also followed an introduction to ecolinguistics. The training at ANFT in 2019 has ensured that I can convert the wisdom and methods that I have collected into a medicine for myself and others. ANFT style is often referred to as relational ecotherapy, because ANFT guides work with the wisdom of the group as well as with the forest as a partner. We were also (still are) encouraged to reflect on our language use and the stories we use as guides. Since February 2020 I have been back in Flanders and I try to find more 'old stories' of Flanders in my forest baths. I like to read about cultural heritage and especially (women's) folklore.
Each forest bathing guide has her / his own approach. I follow the order of methods according to the ANFT style. Maybe I put more emphasis on local history and folklore. During the on-site training in Colorado, my trainers in ANFT started their forest baths with an introduction to the local history and also the 'other names' of the landscape, the 'older names' given by the indigenous people. I thought that was beautiful, mystical. It gave even more meaning to what I noticed afterwards in the forest pool. I mainly attract people who also look for 'meanings', for meaning.
I think it is important that we occasionally think about which stories were here in the past and I dedicate this importance to this in my longer introduction, but also in introductions to invitations during my forest bath.
Sometimes in my introduction I also tell about my own observations and travel in Japan. During the tea ceremony - at the end of the forest pool - you can certainly ask me more about what I learned during those 2.5 years in Japan.
Sacred tree forest pool
(with an introduction to the practice of sacred trees in India (including palm trees), Japan, Thailand and Scandinavia
Palm Sunday, March 28, 2 pm-5pm
Vordenstein, Schoten
Register via this form
Silent Bosbad
(with extra long silent walk)
Silent Saturday, April 3, 2 pm-5pm
Vordenstein, Schoten)
Register via this form
Kempens (forest) bath with children
(Already experience with a class of 34 10 year olds,
but maximum: 8 children)
Parents can have me-time;
plenty of walks in the Brechtse heide)
Thursday April 8, 2 pm-5pm
Brechtse Heide, St-Job-in't-Goor
Register via this form
Kempens Fairytales (forest) bath
(with an introduction to gnomes)
Sunday April 11, 09.00-12.00
Castle forest, Vorselaar
Register via this form
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Maximum 8 people
Included: forest bath and herbal tea
Price adults: ā¬ 30
Price children: ā¬ 12 (only during children's forest pool)
But money shouldn't be a barrier
so contact me if you want a discount.
For the benefit of Robur op den Eik vzw, a good cause,
1/3 goes to guide volunteer allowance and tea.
Register via this form
Confirmation email with more information will follow after payment.
Unfortunately we cannot refund money.
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If you are organizing a group (of maximum 8 people) yourself, you can always contact Wendy for a forest pool in the province of Antwerp, via the contact form .
Also suddenly propose 3-4 calendar moments.
She has already collaborated with forests in Vorselaar, Lille, Schilde, Schoten and St-Job-in't-Goor.
It is also open to forest baths in Leuven.
If the forest bath takes place before April 30, 2021, 2/3 will go to the charity of Robur op den eik vzw, an association that wants to promote health through nature connection.