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For (future) guides This section contains: List of training (often requested) Net / web work options , such as the facebook group, online and live circles in Flanders and Belgium Short essays by other guides in which they explain their in-depth accents, for example ... Celtic Festivals - by Emmy (Barrevoets) ... something because of you? Call for participation in a study on forest baths as a social practice - click here Short essays by guides on methodology, for example ... ... something because of you? We are happy to welcome voluntary contributions. In the newsletter we often refer to this section so that your writing does not go unnoticed.

Mijn tekenverhaal: over onzichtbare tekenbeten, de ziekte van Lyme, hoe ik ermee ben omgegaan en waarom angst absoluut te vermijden is. Door Brigitte Martens apotheker, transformatiecoach, natuur-en bosbadgids 20 januari 2022; dit is mijn persoonlijk verhaal en persoonlijke visie, dus gelieve niet te beschouwen als standaard De symptomen: Ik voel me al meer dan een jaar niet zo lekker, heb episodes van allerlei klachten zoals: slecht slapen, overal pijn op wisselende plekken, extreem vermoeid, wazig zicht, aanvallen van irritatie en agressie, concentratie- en geheugenproblemen, jeukende/brandende voetzolen, koortserig gevoel, hartkloppingen… Ik weet het aan stress (2x een nieuwe job in 1 jaar tijd) en de peri-menopauze, want mijn bloedonderzoek vertoonde geen abnormaliteiten. Tot ik in september plots een raar gevoel kreeg in mijn rechtervoet: alsof hij gezwollen was (maar dat was niet zo), ik verdroeg mijn schoen bijna niet meer. De huisarts vond niks alarmerend en zei me iets te nemen dat de bloedcirculatie bevordert. Eind oktober kreeg ik hetzelfde gevoel in mijn rechterarm: niet pluis! Omdat ik veel tijd in de natuur doorbreng en 3 mensen ken met de ziekte van Lyme heb ik toen zelf gevraagd aan de huisarts om mijn bloed te laten testen op de Borrelia bacterie. Diagnose: De screening was positief en bijkomende testen toonden antilichamen aan tegen 5 verschillende stammen. Belangrijk om te vermelden: aanwezigheid van antistoffen tegen Borrelia zonder symptomen behoeft geen behandeling (3). De huisarts schreef 10 dagen doxycycline voor, wat ik genomen heb. Ik had al in het snotje, met wat ik over deze bacterie wist (1), dat dit onvoldoende zou zijn. Dus ben ik begin december bij een huisarts (Dr Ivan Boucher, Etterbeek) gegaan die zich gespecialiseerd heeft in Lyme en mijn buurvrouw/collega natuurgids goed heeft geholpen. Hij gaf me een heleboel uitleg, bekeek mijn bloedresultaten en vroeg me naar mijn klachten, waarna hij zei dat ik waarschijnlijk al een hele tijd met deze besmetting rondliep. Ik heb nooit een tekenbeet opgemerkt. Enkele keren zag ik een teek op mijn hand of arm en heb die direct weggeveegd voor die zich kon vastbijten. Heel goed mogelijk volgens de dokter: de nimfen zijn zo klein dat je ze nauwelijks ziet (3). Als ze op jouw hoofd vallen vanuit een boom of van op een lantaarnpaal (Serieus. Lees verder.) en zich daar vastbijten, dan zie je ze niet. Wie kan er nu zijn eigen hoofdhuid checken, mij lukt het alvast niet… en je voelt de beet ook niet. Vaak brengt de teek ook nog andere ziekteverwekkers over, de meest voorkomende co-infectie is babesiose of tekenkoorts. Behandeling Deze dokter schreef 2 maand Plaquenil en Tetralysal voor. Dit is niet wat de BAPCOC richtlijnen voorschrijven (2). Ik heb beide middelen 1 maand genomen. Mijn gevoel zei dat langer nemen meer kwaad dan goed zou doen. Want ik heb, wat mijn gezondheid betreft, geleerd te vertrouwen op mijn buikgevoel. Ik nam echter bijkomende maatregelen (nooit op 1 paard wedden), want een ziekte is niet enkel fysiek. Ik geloof in een holistische aanpak, wij zijn meer dan alleen maar een lichaam. We worden dagelijks bedolven onder allerlei microben, maar waarom wordt de een ziek en de ander niet? Het immuunsysteem speelt uiteraard een belangrijke rol, maar er is meer: je wordt volgens mij pas ziek als een ziekteverwekker in jouw lichaam (en geest want beide staan niet los van elkaar, ook al zijn we met dat idee opgevoed) een voedingsbodem vindt. Dus ben ik aan het detoxen met Mariadistel en Chlorella, volg hitte therapie, eet gezonde voeding, heb tinctuur gemaakt van de Kaardebol die in mijn tuin groeit, smeer een samenstelling van etherische olie op mijn voetzolen en zorg voor voldoende fysieke en mentale rust. Ook ben ik aan het uitpluizen wat de persoonlijke boodschap is van deze ziekte. Ik wens deze bacterie niet te zien als een vijand waar ik tegen moet vechten, maar eerder als een leermeester. Dus wat heb ik te leren? Ik kwam al gauw uit bij de gevolgen van een onverwerkt trauma. (Wie daar meer over wil weten: ik heb een artikeltje geschreven met tekeningen over de aanpak van mijn trauma. Mail me en dan stuur ik je de pdf door.) Ondertussen gaat het al beter, hoewel nog niet alle klachten weg zijn. De bacterie Ik heb richtlijnen (3) en 3 meer alternatieve boeken (5) over de ziekte gelezen en bewondering gekregen voor deze intelligente bacterie: de spirocheten (schroefvormige bacterie, net zoals deze die syfilis veroorzaakt) kunnen zich door alle lichaamsweefsels heen schroeven, zijn zeer snel en komen overal: ook in de hersenen want ze geraken door de bloedhersenbarriere en de placenta hebben 3 omhullingen waarvan de buitenste laag bestaat uit lipoproteinen die ze voortdurend aan de omgeving kunnen aanpassen of kunnen overgaan in kogelvorm/L-vorm waardoor macrofagen (immuunsysteem) hen niet herkennen kunnen zich binnen de minuut inkapselen tot een cyste/sporevorm en zo minstens 10 maanden overleven kunnen cellen binnendringen, doden en zich omhullen met de resten om zo vermomd te blijven creëren ‘blebs’ die antilichamen in de war brengen = enkele Borrelia genen vastgezet in een stukje celwand die ze op reis door het lichaam sturen (afleidingsmanoeuvres) doen aan moleculaire mimicry: ze laten hun oppervlak gelijken op gastheercellen; als ons immuunsysteem dan toch in actie schiet worden ook lichaamseigen cellen aangevallen (auto-immuunreacties) ze verblijven het liefst in colloïdale, gelachtige substanties: kraakbeen, gewrichtsvloeistof, oogvocht, endotheelcellen, myeline rond zenuwen en littekenweefsel hebben weinig zuurstof nodig waardoor ze op slecht doorbloede plaatsen kunnen verblijven; op die plaatsen is het immuunsysteem minder actief en dringt de meeste antibiotica niet door ze vermeerderen zich om de 28 dagen (heel traag in vergelijking met de andere bacteriën: 20 minuten) en daarom is het moeilijk om ze te doden met antibiotica; je zou dan 1,5 jaar lang AB moeten nemen de stoffen die ze uitscheiden (toxines) zijn erg schadelijk en zetten zich vast in vetweefsels kunnen temperaturen tot -50°C verdragen, maar niet boven 42°C (vandaar mijn hitte therapie) Durf ik nu nog buitenkomen? Het spreekt vanzelf dat ik het niet ga laten om in de natuur - mijn eerste en grootste liefde - te vertoeven. Maar we zijn nergens veilig. Besmetting met Borrelia blijkt tegenwoordig zeer moeilijk te vermijden: zelfs in steden kan je door een besmette teek gebeten worden want ze zitten ook op duiven. Duiven zitten overal op, ook op de paal waar jij toevallig onder gaat staan terwijl je op de tram wacht bijvoorbeeld. “De antistoffen die je aan hebt gemaakt na de eerste keer, beschermen niet voor een tweede beet.” (4) Dat is dus even slikken. Zelfs al overwin ik nu deze bacterie, dan kan het komende zomer alweer prijs zijn. Maar ik weiger angstig te zijn; angst is een killer voor het immuunsysteem. Sommigen leven nu al 2 jaar in angst wegens de coronacrisis, de gevolgen zullen op termijn duidelijk worden. Dus vanaf nu ga ik angstvrij de natuur in met een hoed, mijn broek in m’n sokken en een mengsel van tekenwerende etherische olie als parfum. Ik neem erna een douche en zorg goed voor mezelf. In de natuur zijn is goed voor de fysieke en mentaal/emotionele gezondheid, maw de benefit/risk is positief. Wil je graag de recepten of heb je vragen? Stuur me dan een mailtje: bylmartens@gmail.com Bronnen (1) Kullberg et al. Lyme borreliosis: diagnosis and management. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1041 (Published 26 May 2020) (2) https://overlegorganen.gezondheid.belgie.be/sites/default/files/documents/lyme_borreliose.pdf#:~:text=%01%20Vroegtijdige%2C%20gelokaliseerde%20Lyme%20borreliose%20%28stadium%201%20van,tot%2085%25%20van%20de%20gevallen%20met%20klinische%20symptomen%29 . (3) https://www.zorg-en-gezondheid.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Lymeziekte2015.pdf (4) https://www.tekenbeten.be/ziek-door-tekenbeet (5) boeken: De ziekte van Lyme – Wolf-Dieter Storl Holistisch Handboek voor de ziekte van Lyme; van ziekte naar genezing – Ludzer de Boer De spirituele dimensie van de ziekte van Lyme – Willem Jacobs

Guides in the Netherlands One of the major trends in the coming years is more (car) holidays to neighboring countries, because you should not book a car like an airplane and that plays a role in these uncertain times in which the measures in Belgium and abroad are constantly changing. That is why I decided to make a list of guides in the Netherlands and to arrange the guides alphabetically according to the Dutch provinces. Let me know via the contact form if you know guides in the Netherlands who definitely belong in this list. Update February 15, 2021 : I have created this page and plan to contact some guides in the Netherlands to give an initial list. This page is definitely going to be a bit empty. Earlier I also made a page about ' forest baths abroad ,' as a kind of tip for your travels.

Academic research in Flanders (Not exhaustive. We always welcome additions or collaborations in future research). (Relevant) seats in Flemish higher education institutions University of Antwerp, Chair Care and natural living environment, led by Dr Hans Keune site general: click here running projects publications Other professional researchers NatureMinded (common for CM, BOS +) Wuyts. W., Kilpi, K. (2020). A social practice perspective to forest bathing in Flanders -restoring the relationship between people and the more-than-human world. Conference poster for Sustainable Consumption and Action Initiative (SCORAI) conference 2020. DOI: 10.13140 / RG.2.2.13369.80484 Master & Bachelor thesis research Sanny Van den Troost (2020). Forest therapy tourism in Flemish nature areas. Master thesis in Tourism, Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) This Master thesis can be requested via the contact form. On March 31, 2021 we will hold a circle with circle and others interested. Contact us if you want to be there. Currently (2021) Victoria Reynal, Master thesis research on nature connection and forest baths in Belgium Master in Sustainable Development, KUL Currently (until Easter 2021) she is looking for participants and guides for interviews.

An alchemical manual to forest baths Title: Diamond of the Forest on the Silk Road, Shin Shin Rin Yoku Ki 心 森林 浴 気 二 --- by Wendy Wuyts (@wereldwoud), January 2021 ---- A week before the arrival of Saint Nicholas, one of my favorite alchemists, I was introduced to @kouroshgaregani - a former refugee from Iran, martial arts practitioner, poet, dancer and therapist. He has written a book and contacted me via bosbadenvlaanderen.com . It is about bathing in the energy of the heart of the forest, interweaving ideas of Persian and Japanese martial arts and philosophy with its own learning lessons. I asked for a review copy. He personally brought it (and Persian biscuits) to Vorselaar and I took him and his assistant to a walk in the Lovenhoek, a nature point right outside my door. I asked him some questions to get to know his story and the background of this book. Since the age of four, he has been practicing Karate Wado Ryu and Katori Shinto Ryu, first in Iran. He practiced the katas with trees and noticed as a child that there is a circulation of energy between him and the trees. He demonstrated some katas. It seemed like a dance. He not only practiced the Japanese martial art, but also the ancestral Persian art Varzesh Bastani, which also has a rich history of rituals, movements and wisdom. What I understood was that for him the combination of nature connection and the wisdom of Eastern martial arts gave him grounding and comfort, even when he had to leave Iran and settle in Ghent. In the meantime, several decades have passed and he has reflected a lot. His books are clearly the fruit of years of observation, dreaming and thinking. Slightly different from other books written about shinrin-yoku by foreigners. I have only read a few books, such as the work of Dr Li Qing, M. Amos Clifford and Annette Lavrijsen, and supporting books such as Florence Williams, but this book is written from a different angle. During the walk, an old tree invited us to come closer. "A mother tree," I said. He asked why I thought it was a woman's tree. I was shy. You do have women and men trees. But I could not provide "a scientific explanation". She just felt protective. He observed the mother leaning east to see the sunrise behind her children. When people use wind directions to name locations, I feel grounding. He has a gift of observation. At the end of the walk I showed him the broken willow tree in the garden. I was curious about his observation. He could say that a northerly or westerly wind had hit this tree. These winds can be cold and sharp. His book is also a collection of observations, often written in a poetic language. It reminds me of the Ancient Greek verses I had to read in high school. It is also full of instructions that remind me of martial arts or the asanas in yoga. This makes the book different from, for example, 'the pocket book of forest baths' by Sarah Devos and Katriina Kilpi, because the actions are described in more detail, more concretely. In the forest baths that I provide (as instructed by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy), our invitations are kept as short and open as possible. I don't know which is better: each person needs something different, and even the same person has different needs than on any other day. It contains many Japanese terms and ideas that require a certain initiation (in Japanese natural philosophy). I wouldn't give the book as a gift to people who have never heard of forest baths, but to yourself or other people who already have some basis. To give a comparison: I have lived in Japan and have been at it for years, but it was difficult for me too. I know some terms, such as ishin denshin, because I also had a short friendship with a Buddhist monk in Japan. Other concepts, such as the common kumano kodou, took on new meaning for me. I have walked the road of that name, but I did not understand that it could mean 'the old way of the forest' or 'the ancestral way'. The ideas almost tempt me to return to Japan, but I now know that those concepts can also be found in a Flemish context. His work feels like an alchemist book that does not just reveal its secrets. I had to reread fragments, often out loud. The book can transform you, I felt, like a philosopher's stone. It took energy - and rightly so, because nothing should come to you too easily - before I was connected to the spirit of this book. After a while I realized - like poems by Rumi and Khayyam - I better recite the lyrics out loud so that it can echo a little in me. Poetry flows in the veins of Persians. There is also a lot of poetry in this book. You do not consume such texts, but you have to take a lot of time for such texts: not for the reading itself, but to prepare yourself first and then think for a moment about what you have read and what it can mean for you. Dutch translation: Boekscout.nl Bol.com French (original) version: Le Diamant de la Forêt de Soie, Shin Shin Rin Yoku Ki 心 森林 浴 気 二 fr.fnac.be An English translation will also be available soon.

Own research on forest baths in Flanders Since June 2020, Wendy has written a google form (in English and Dutch) to collect more information about the social practice of forest bathing in Flanders. For some time now she has also been interested in forest therapy as a social practice. She would like to understand why people in Belgium engage in forest baths, as guides, participants or partners, in order to learn how even more people can be recruited into this practice. At the end of 2021, she wants to process this in an academic article and some texts for the newsletter and / or website. She invites guides (or guides in training) to make an hour to fill in this google form. Dutch: this link English: this link More information can be requested via the contact form.

Forest Baths for Companies Update February 20, 2021: This page (and its subpages) are not yet complete and published, but in the following weeks I will write out why forest baths can (and should) be part of the business (in times of corona) . The era of corporate offices is over. Facebook, twitter and other large companies have already announced that employees now have the choice to work part-time or fully from home. Only a small percentage must be in an office full-time after the corona crisis. However, there are other diseases and crises that disrupted the business world, such as burnout and the local effects of climate change, soil depletion and pollution. Perhaps now the era of corporate forests and associated activities has arrived. Outdoor meetings that increase the productivity, creativity, health (physical and mental) health and resilience of your employees. Forest bathing is part of nature-based practices for which more and more scientific evidence of its usefulness is emerging. Which Flemish companies will be the first to offer forest baths as an activity, or even convert a meeting into an adapted 'company forest pool'? ------------- Not something new Our ancestors also held meetings in the shade of lime trees. More information follows. More creativity During an innovation management class I learned in which environments employees get their most and best ideas. According to scientific research. No, not in a conference room in an office. Unless the meeting is so boring that people daydream. The best environment for creativity is the natural environment. Burnout prevention Did you know that companies in Flanders are obliged to invest in programs to prevent burnout, one of the biggest pandemics in our welfare economy? But there is a limited range of programs.

We invite you to share short stories (maximum 2500 characters) about a Belgian forest, from Tiny Forests through parks to ancient forests. Climb into your pen and weave your story with the existing stories of the (existing) forests in Belgium. The intention is to collect a whole database of stories from Belgian forests that we can all read on this website. Not only reports of forest baths are welcome. You can also tell about memories that you or family members have experienced. You may also want to post retellings of fairytales, sages and legends that took place in that forest? We also welcome prose and poetry about mystical experiences and reflections ... For more information and for your questions, please refer to General Discussions . To see this working, head to your live site. Categories All Posts My Posts Forum Create New Post Antwerpen In deze categorie verzamelen we alle wereldwoude verhalen die zich in de provincie Antwerpen afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 3 Follow Brussel Deel hier je verhalen die zich in bossen en parken in en nabij Brussel plaatsvinden. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Limburg Deel hier je verhalen die zich in bossen en parken in Limburg afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Oost-Vlaanderen Deel hier je verhalen die in bossen en parken in Oost-Vlaanderen afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Henegouwen Deel hier je verhalen die zich in bossen en parken in Henegouwen afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Luik Deel verhalen die zich in de bossen en parken in de provincie Luik afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Luxemburg Deel je verhalen die zich in een bos of een park in Luxemburg afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Namen Vertel over je avonturen in parken en bossen in de provincie Namen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Vlaams-Brabant Deel hier je verhalen die zich in bossen in Vlaams-Brabant afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow Waals-Brabant Deel hier je verhalen die zich in Waals-Brabantse bossen en parken afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 0 Follow West-Vlaanderen Deel hier je verhalen die zich in bossen en parken in West-Vlaanderen afspelen. subcategory-list-item.views subcategory-list-item.posts 1 Follow New Posts Brigitte Danneels Sep 15 KNIKKENDE KNIEËN LANGS HET KANAAL Antwerpen Sinds de pandemie wandelen we zowat elke dag. Beernem is op dat gebied een wandelparadijs. We wonen op een viertal km van het Bulskampveld, maar ook dichterbij zitten we al na enkele minuten in het groen. Neem nu het kanaal van Gent naar Brugge. Daarvan hebben de oevers geen geheimen meer voor ons. Ik merkte de knikkende knieën voor het eerst op toen de boom nog geen bladeren had. Het was toen 15 maart en behoorlijk koud. Ik bewonderde het vermogen van de boom om zich op het steile talud overeind te houden en het zelfs te presteren om na de aanvankelijke knieval, toch fiks rechtop te staan en zo loodrecht door te groeien. En er waren er nog. Sommigen deden eer wat langer over (letterlijk én figuurlijk) maar uiteindelijk kozen ze allemaal voor de loodrechte positie. Ook aan de andere kant naar Brugge toe, in het natuurdomein vond ik een prachtig exemplaar. Kijk zelf maar en bewonder dat fantastische bochtenwerk. Deze eik kwam uit een vertikaal gat tevoorschijn en slaagde er toch nog in om kaarsrecht naar omhoog te groeien. Chapeau! Onlangs wilde ik die eerste stam wel eens terugzien. Ik wist niet welke boom het was en moest dus wachten op zijn groene bladerdak om zijn soort te kennen. Ik had het kunnen weten: het was een ESDOORN, een niet-inheemse boomsoort die zich overal kan settelen. En we ontdekten er nog. Wat te denken van dit leuk triootje bijvoorbeeld? Zo zie je maar. Bomen vinden een knieval maken helemaal niet vernederend. Ze hanteren het principe: LIEVER BUIGEN DAN BARSTEN! Like 24 comments 24 Brigitte Danneels Aug 12 MIJN BOOM West-Vlaanderen Het begon toen de kinderen nog in de lagere school zaten en we tijdens de grote vakantie met de auto naar het Bulskampveld reden. Terwijl de kinderen ravotten, zat ik meestal te lezen, maar ik moet ook in het bos rondgewandeld hebben, want op een dag vond ik hem: mijn boom. Hij is niet perfect, helemaal niet. Hij staat wat schuin en zijn stam is verdraaid, maar dat komt omdat hij op een soort richel staat. Het is zijn verweer tegen omvallen. Maar zijn takken spreidt hij naar alle kanten uit, ja, die vrijheid heeft hij wel. Tegen mijn oudste dochter zei ik toen: 'Weet je, ik heb een boom in het bos.' 'Hu, mama', antwoordde ze, 'een boom! Die van jou is?' Ik knikte met volle overtuiging. 'En waarom is die van jou?' wilde ze toen toch weten. 'wel, gewoon, omdat ik er meer van hou dan alle andere mensen.' Ondertussen weten ook de kleinkinderen van het bestaan van mijn boom af. Telkens ik naar het Bulskampveld ga, passeer ik hem. Ik groet hem dan en soms wijk ik af van het pad en moet eventjes zijn stam aanraken. MIJN BOOM... al meer dan veertig jaar. Ergens voelt het als een troost dat als ik er niet meer ben, hij er nog altijd zal zijn, majestueus en imposant. Like 6 comments 6 Ilona Gosseries Aug 12 Bosbaden in Schilde Antwerpen Een vriendin vroeg me om mee te gaan bosbaden. Daar had ik nog nooit van gehoord, maar deze vriendin kent me goed en weet wat ik graag doe dus ik ging mee. Wij kwamen samen bij iemand thuis en zijn van daar vertrokken naar het bosje in Schilde. Het was in de maand november dus best nog koud maar droog. We hebben daar echt enorm van genoten, van die stilte, dat luisteren naar de vogels, dat kijken naar details die je anders gewoon voorbij loopt.... Het was even ont-moeten en tot jezelf komen. Dat deed zo een deugd dat was echt leuk. Ook maakten we er kennis met De Viking een personage dat me nu nog bijgebleven is. later hoorde ik dat ze zijn bouwsel in brand staken en dat vind ik zeer erg, dat was zo supermooi gemaakt. Bosbaden is een echte aanrader, moet je echt eens uitproberen... Like 11 comments 11 Forum - Frameless

How the Celtic annual festivals can give an in-depth accent to a forest pool Like an onion The intense nature connection that you can experience during a forest bath is very special. As a forest bathing guide, I love the moment when I see the participants merge with the forest and with themselves. You can see it in their eyes that get a little glassy and the blissful smile playing on their faces. It strikes me time and again that this moment of connection usually already takes place during the beginning of the forest pool. From that moment on, a hidden gate opens up somewhere in us through which the forest can easily penetrate into us, deeper and deeper. I like to compare the experience with an onion of which we remove a peel more and more during the forest bath to eventually reach the core. Each forest pool is different and each participant experiences a forest pool in his own unique way. And every forest bathing guide is also different and has its own specific accent in his / her offer. What I think we all have in common are the basic ingredients of a forest bath, namely the stillness, slowing down and the conscious opening of the senses so that the atmosphere can flow into the forest. In addition, there is a whole range of different ingredients that forest bathing guides use to create their own style. Special ingredient What I love as a 'special ingredient' are the Celtic seasonal festivals. Since my early years, these parties have been an important guideline and that is why it is a matter of course to weave them into the Barrevoets offer. They act as coat hangers around which I build my walks (but also by extension my life). Our Celtic and Germanic ancestors (by extension all natural peoples) probably did not know a word like 'nature connection' at all, they were so intensely one with nature in a way that we do not know today that such words were completely unnecessary. I don't see them agreeing to go forest bathing 😊 That is precisely why their past offers such a rich source of inspiration to integrate into nature-connecting activities such as forest bathing. The cycles of their annual celebrations are like gateways that open a profound connection with the natural world and with our own true natural inner world - our inner landscape. As a forest bathing guide and nature coach, I like to lift the veils that hang around these gates a bit and make them visible to the participants. For example, some of the invitations or exercises that shape the forest pool each time become a small ceremony or ritual that serves as anchor points to internalize that from the outside world. The seasonal parties are, as it were, a kind of natural mirror where we can become aware of what is really going on, separate from the everyday, but linked to the transition from one to the other. They are linked to change, to transitions and can help us to make contact within ourselves with what we want to change, renew, process. Ancient roots My experience with integrating the seasonal parties in a forest pool or nature coaching is that it brings an in-depth accent. By integrating a touch of our common ancestry, we also connect with our ancient common roots. It is plugging into our collective rhythm that lies deep within us, stored in our genes. Celebrating the feasts together connects the generations: we inherit the customs of our ancestors and at the same time we give them to our children. In this way we are connected with the past and with the future through honoring the old traditions, while we are just very mindful in the now. This writing makes me curious about where fellow forest bathing guides place their emphasis. What different ways does the forest bath world have? What effect does this have on the participants? How does this translate into their natural connection? Fascinating! --- Emmy Schockaert is a creative forest bathing guide / nature coach. She mainly guides in forests in the Flemish Ardennes. She is also the driving force behind Barrevoets . Nature is her passion and green thread in life. With Barrevoets she wants to be a link in the connection between man and nature. She combines her training as a nature guide, herbalist, nature coach and forest bathing guide (Shinrin Yoku / Metzamieli) in guided hikes. It is not walking but the slowing down, stillness and stimulation of the senses central. Emmy likes to use our Celtic background as a guide. The seasons and the rhythm in nature are her source of inspiration. She also often works with CM . You can follow her on facebook and instagram . Her website: www.barrevoets.be By Emmy Schockaert - www.barrevoets.be March 16, 2021

Bossen beschermen door bewust houtgebruik: economie en ecologie verbinden Het kappen van bomen is een heikel thema.... Els Franssens, docente houttechnologie en onderzoeksmedewerker aan de HoGent heeft een groot hart voor de natuur en ze begrijpt dat de gemoederen nog al eens verhit kunnen geraken als het onderwerp aangesneden wordt. Wij vroegen haar of ze haar nuchtere kijk met onze bosbad-community wou delen en deze uitnodiging nam ze graag aan. Jullie reacties zijn zeker welkom op els.franssens@hogent.be . Heb je zelf ook een interessant artikel gelezen of geschreven? Bezorg het ons gerust via de contactpagina en misschien nemen we het ook op in onze site.

Fully booked! It is not yet certain whether a second series will follow. If you are interested, you can still participate in the English-language program (starts at the end of March). You can also always share your interest via the contact form, so that a second Dutch-language series can be started later in the year. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter. This way you stay informed about new programs. A new monthly circle with Wendy Wuyts ( world forest ) You can register via the contact form or this Google Form . Let us know if you want to attend the entire series or just the next session. Introduction: Where Did You Take Root? In the past, people were born wherever they would grow up. Being born then meant taking root. An almost physical bond had grown between man 'and the earth that saw him come into the world'. There was not only a relationship between the individual and the community, but also a relationship on an even deeper level between the individual and the ancestral soil, the region from which one came. Now most people are not born at home. Now people no longer live in the same place. And that's ok. Yet it is often seen that people like to say where they live and where they come from. These are two of the first questions that are asked of a new acquaintance. Loneliness isn't about being alone, it's about feeling like you don't belong. One reason may be that you don't know where your roots are. Maybe you belong - like me - to different places, because you have lived in different places and have given and taken from that place and the people there (knowledge, energy, money…). A Healing Journey: Rediscovering Your Roots I myself have been working on two passions, or two 'medicines' for years: storytelling and storydoing. After living in Thailand and Japan for years, I returned to Belgium at the end of February 2020. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, I stayed longer than I expected in my 'home': the Kempen. I was on the brink of a nervous breakdown myself: the workload in Japan had worn me out. I then applied my two medications to myself. Last year I mainly wrote and shared retellings of Flemish folk tales, European fairy tales and Japanese myths on my Instagram account , often inspired by observations during forest baths and other nature experiences. Through these experiences I deepened my journey and rediscovered Flemish nature: the beauty, but also the problems. I sought refuge in retelling old stories, old enough to contain a certain wisdom. By working with those stories and even rewriting them and calibrating my own experiences and observations, I found grounding and comfort and got to know my authentic self better. My search is not over yet: such journeys are spiral. In this second year I want to bring others with me. I am going to organize monthly meetings, where we think about what a post-heroic story or retelling can mean for our Flemish and Dutch landscapes, where we can dream and share together. So I am looking for like-minded souls in the Netherlands and Flanders, who would like to meet each other online every month and want to deepen their creative energy and critical reflections by means of forest bathing, writing and / or drawing. In this experience, I combine my two medicines to dig with you what we can learn from the old stories of our region / regions to stand more firmly in the present and the future, regardless of the ecological, social and personal crises. This means that together - for each participant - we will find out to which old region / regions we belong today. When? 21 February to 21 December 2021 + 1 follow-up in 2022 10 monthly online sessions of 2.5 hours Dates: Third Sunday of the month, except July Time: 7 pm-9.30pm. 1 online follow-up session in 2022 possibly a physical meeting with forest baths and creative work during a weekend or midweek in a beautiful location in Flanders The (temporary) goal? A journey never ends and some of the effects of such connections and processes are sometimes only visible after a long time, but after ten months we want some 'tangible' gifts that we can share with others in the next dreamtime. I hope that each participant has rewritten or 'redrawn' at least one Flemish or Dutch folk tale - that affects him or her, perhaps because this story comes from his / her region or because it touches the core - into a post-heroic story. I am also curious about other goals to weave in this project: if you yourself are engaged in a quest or a project around creativity, place, connection between traditional ecological knowledge and a more sustainable future for your community and / or yourself ... there is for sure place for. My own goal? You will also receive an invitation to give monthly feedback on a chapter from my new book, where you will have the opportunity to integrate your ideas or reactions. Each chapter is about the nature observations of that month, a retelling and the reflections in my own life in 2020 and 'Taxandria'. I have already finished a first version, but it does not feel ripe enough yet, as if the alchemy has not yet been completed. I myself hope that this book will grow more through the wisdom of this circle. What do we do? Each session consists of a welcome, introduction and a short sensory invitation (20 min.). In the second part, we look back on the past month. What have you experienced? What's wrong? What made you happy? What have you learned about the nature around you? We pass on (the virtual) talking stick so that everyone can share his story with the circle briefly and concisely (30 min.). The third part is more technical. I keep a short knowledge transfer, during which I briefly share something about storytelling. Each session also has a theme. Provisional monthly themes are 'structure of a heroine journey', basic ecolinguistics, women in supporting roles (eg the belly goddess, the seer), descent into the underworld ... You will also have the opportunity to ask questions or share comments afterwards (30 min. ). After a break (10 min.) We do an individual creative exercise (20 min.) And we hold a group reflection (20 min.). I call the last part 'wisdom of the circle'. For example, in the first session I will ask which local old story appeals to you and why (20 min.). At the end I give 'homework' for the next month: an invitation that you can try outside and a short creative task. This experience is therefore more than just the monthly meetings. Dates and Content Sunday evening, from 19.00-21.30 (Belgian time) February 21: The preparation of our 'digging' Introduction of the hostess and this program The alchemy of old stories and experiences of nature When a hazel is calling you Reflection on a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (sent together with the zoom link) Which old story appeals to you and why? Why do some old stories stay with you? March 21: The spring storm What does the sky look like? Heroine Story (Maureen Murdoch, Clarissa Pinkola Estes) Reflection in Psyche and Eros The Frog Prince, the Black Alder and the Flood Which local heroine stories appeal to you? April 18: The Healing Question What question would you like to hear? Post-Heroic Stories in Times of Social / Environmental / Individual Crisis (Sharon Blackie) The Question the Fisher King Needed Mary and the lime tree The Silsombos: a feminine landscape? Which post-heroic stories do you find in your own area? May 16: Wispy lights and intuition Which signals are you following on your path? Vasalisa and Baba Yaga Reflection on retelling of 'St Dimpha and the thrush tree' Mental health What local stories helped your inner journey? June 20: My moemoe is a pollarded willow woman Why too good mothers always die in fairy tales Ancestral knowledge and family curses The Kempen willow Demeter, Persephone and especially Baubo Which stories make you laugh? August 15: Gnomes and the regenerative economy The Minnebron, the last drinkable source in Flanders Dealing with drought and climate depression When the beech leaves Retelling 'Kastelse Gnomes' What old stories comfort you? September 19: The pine tree and other migrants What does carrot, to be rooted, to root mean? A palimpsest and landscape biography Reflection in retelling of 'the witch tree' Do you know local place names with an old story? October 17: Bass squares and poisonous plants Which local poisonous plants do you know? What stories can those plants tell you? Mie Broos, the folk healer Barbed wire and other borders Bass squid and nightshade What local stories scare you? November 21: Immersion in language and forest Which expressions speak about nature-man relationship? Principles of Ecolinguistics (Stibbe) Winter rain and morning mist H-Eik-u Which local story do you want to rewrite? December 19: The Dream Song Where does Sinterklaas come from? Why do we need dreams? - Cassandra & Olav Astesson Skipper, can I sail over? The Three Wise Women and the Spruce Tree The descent - and the return; spiral travels Which song are you going to dream? Please note: there is no session in July. Included in the price: content and guidance via monthly zoom and email monthly: pdf with ideas, inspiration and invitations monthly: chapter of the beta version of “Wortelwijs” (provisional title) creative vibes, a new 'tribe' and other 'things' that are priceless Not included: physical meeting Cost price: Price per session: € 12 If you register for all 10 sessions: € 90 The ticket price may not be a threshold (contact us via the contact form ). Part of the money is used for the charity of Robur op Den Eik vzw. The other part is for a zoom subscription and the volunteer contributions. Preparation To prepare for the start of the circle, make sure you have: A good stable internet connection. Have Zoom installed on your device. If necessary, you can download it for free here: https://zoom.us/download Make sure Zoom has been updated to the latest version, otherwise you may experience problems logging in. If you are unable to attend part of the live event, recordings will be available. Register: You can register via the contact form or this Google Form . Make sure to let us know if you want to follow a session or the entire series. After confirmation, participants will receive an email from Wendy. Participants then send the money to Robur's account at Den Eik vzw to receive the zoom link. Notice: month + “root-wise” + email address Robur op Den Eik vzw IBAN: BE82 5230 8087 7968 BIC: TRIOBEBB Battlefield 11 2550 Kontich Belgium What is Robur op Den Eik vzw? Robur op Den Eik ( www.roburopdeneik.org ), charity recognized by the King Baudouin Foundation ( www.goededoelen.be ), is a place of CONNECTION, through peace, nature, healing and creativity, and specifically for people with a burn -out and for the prevention of burnout. Nature plays a decisive role in this. The hobbit-like silence house Robur wants to be present in a small-scale, modest way (under supervision!). As a meeting place where people can share together, Den Eik supports the web of connectedness. Robur also wants to be a place for artists: finally write that book, finish that CD, etc. Creativity is also a necessity of life that has to do with peace, nature and healing. In addition, there is the strongly present ecological aspect. Robur appeals to awareness in the choices we make, including the use of (drinking) water and electricity. Because we need less than we often think. Registration for the first session (Sunday February 21) is possible until February 18. Do you know people who would like not to be a hero in 2021 and who want to dream and create together with me in a virtual cave?

educations On the rest of this page you will find a list (in alphabetical order!) Of the different courses that exist 'world forest'. Be sure to let us know via the contact form if a course is missing. In addition, you will also find a list of extra training courses that are often useful or even asked to obtain a certificate from ANFT, such as the Wilderness First Aid Training. Academy for Healing Nature This Belgian academy organizes the training to become a shinrin-yoku guide every year. The training runs over 6 months and consists of an intensive 5-day course followed by separate training days and practical. The theoretical deepening and the experience-oriented structure of the training offer a broad baggage, skills and techniques with which the guide can then set to work with confidence. https://www.academie-voor-helende-natuur.be Academy for Healing Nature This Belgian academy organizes the training to become a shinrin-yoku guide every year. The training runs over 6 months and consists of an intensive 5-day course followed by separate training days and practical. The theoretical deepening and the experience-oriented structure of the training offer a broad baggage, skills and techniques with which the guide can then set to work with confidence. https://www.academie-voor-helende-natuur.be Association of Forest & Nature Therapy (ANFT) North American organization that organizes on-site training (anywhere in the world), followed by a 6-month practical. You will not receive your certificate until you have followed a WFA training. They draw inspiration from Japan and North American indigenous culture. https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/ Forest Therapy Institute (FTI) Just like ANFT, FTI organizes courses that consist of an on-site training, followed by a practicum of 3 months (forest pool guide) and 6 months (forest therapy guide). https://foresttherapyinstitute.com/ Association of Forest & Nature Therapy (ANFT) North American organization that organizes on-site training (anywhere in the world), followed by a 6-month practical. You will not receive your certificate until you have followed a WFA training. They draw inspiration from Japan and North American indigenous culture. https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/ Forest Mind (Mestämieli) Forest Mind was founded in Finland by Sirpa Arvonen, who has written and published 4 books on this topic since 2014. This Forest Mind guide training gives you the certification to become a Forest Mind guide and the right to use the supporting materials and branding in your activities. The training is intended for people from the health and social sector and / or the nature sector. http://metsamieli.fi/Forestmind-fi/ Shinrin-Yoku Academy Natascha Boudewijn of the Shinrin-Yoku Academy gives annual courses in the Netherlands. Flemish people also make the crossing to the center of the Netherlands to receive lessons from her. https://shinrin-yoku-academy.nl Natural Mindfulness Guide Training This English-language, (always) online training of 21 days has the experience-connect-share as key points. The course is structured in such a way that you can perfect it in your own time frame. Being in connection with Nature, and thus also with your own Nature. You can then pass on this experience as a guide to your audience / clients, who in turn share their experience with you and / or the group. https://www.ianbanyard.com/home/guide-training/ Additional training The above training courses can be supplemented with training on game harvesting, herbs & plant knowledge, Wilderness first aid training and so on. We only list the training that takes place in Belgium and (more south of) the Netherlands. Click on the image to visit the website. Be sure to let us know via the contact form if you know of more training. Wilderness First Aid Trainings Unknown Come later Rewilding Mike organizes various day courses for wild harvesting in the Kempen. Rewilding Drum Kiki and Bert van Leuven organize and coach courses, workshops and retreats. Herbal course Lieve Galle organizes courses, workshops and guided walks. Forest to Plate The goal of Forest To Plate is to educate people in the wonderful world of wild edible plants and show them the possibilities.