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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?

Vanaf eind september 2021 In augustus 2021 verhuisde Wendy voor minstens een jaar naar Noorwegen. Zelf is ze al sinds haar achtste geboeid door Noorse folklore en mythologie. Deze negen cirkels zijn deels gebaseerd op de structuur van de eco-heldinnenreis (model van Dr. Sharon Blackie), op zoek naar worteling en troost in een wereld vol onderdrukking, verandering en dreigende milieuproblemen. Noorwegen is een prachtig land als 'virtuele setting': vol oude landschappen en verhalen over vrouwen die zich verzetten tegen onderdrukking, landschappen waar niet-menselijke natuur met een harde klimaat moeten leven Negen maandelijkse cirkel met Wendy Wuyts (wereldwoud ) Een uitgraving van Noorse landschappen en verhalen Op zoek naar (ecologische) wijsheid 16 september 2021 t.e.m. 19 mei 2022 Waar is thuis? Sommigen zeggen dat thuis is waar je geboren bent. Vroeger was het ook normaal dat thuis de plek is waar je geboren bent, maar nu wonen personen vaak op verschillende plekken. Thuis kan ook iets meer zijn dan een plek, maar in deze negen cirkels koppelen we het idee van worteling aan een plek waar je heel je leven of maar een week hebt gewoond. Zelf ben ik als geograaf al bijna vijftien jaar bezig met de studie van 'plekken', heb zelf in verschillende plekken, en zelfs continenten geworteld, en heb ik het volgende geleerd: Plekken zijn er altijd, ze zijn er, ze herbergen je, laten je thuis voelen, jagen je weg, roepen herinneringen op, verleiden je. We maken niet alleen plekken, maar plekken maken ons en doen ons thuisvoelen, thuiskomen. Dit komend jaar ga ik zelf wortelen in Noorwegen, een land dat me al meer dan twintig jaar riep. Ik heb dit land al een paar keer bezocht, maar altijd voor een korte tijd. Nu ga ik daar werken rond duurzame ontwikkeling. Ik zoek vier tot zeven andere mensen die graag met mee maandelijks willen nadenken, praten, creëren, filosoferen... over de vraag van thuiskomen en wortelen. De cirkels zullen online plaatsvinden, maar als de groep het wil en de mogelijkheden het toelaten wil ik ook graag een korte inspiratiereis organiseren (voor een laag budget) in juli 2022, in een berglandschap in Noorwegen, met een rijke culturele geschiedenis, waar we gaan bosbaden, wandelen en van het buitenluchtleven genieten, terwijl we nadenken wat thuiszijn en worteling in een ruig landschap. Ken je mensen die interesse hebben? Voor wie? Mensen met interesse voor de mythen, verhalen en andere beenderen van dit land. Mensen met interesse voor traditie en verhalen in België. Veel verhalen zijn niet alleen een Germaanse en Keltische erfenis, maar ook een Noord-Europese erfenis. Mensen met interesse voor Noordwest-Europese landschappen: ik heb al gemerkt dat Noorwegen en België enkele 'landschappen 'delen; Vooral voor mensen met interesse voor de cultuurhistorische en mythische lezingen van Noorse landschappen en de verhalen zelf, en aan de hand daarvan aan hun eigen positieve gezondheid willen werken, verbinden met zielen met dezelfde interesse voor Noorwegen Datums + voorlopige inhoud 1) Donderdag 16 september: Introductie Elkaar beter leren kennen: van waar komen jullie? En waarom zijn jullie hier? Niet-menselijke gast: Röyskopp Introductie ‘walking & talking about the land’ Theorie: ecolinguistiek & herwilderde taal 2) Donderdag 21 oktober: Njord & Skadi Wijsheid cirkel: Wat is thuis? Theorie: heldenverhaal vs heldinnenverhalen? Ook: mythen, hervertellingen en mythische fictie Verhaal: Njord & Skadi Woord: ‘Hefted’ Niet-menselijke gast: Lijsterbes 3) Donderdag 18 november: De Sneeuwkoningin Theorie: Model van Sharon Blackie Niet-menselijke Gast: Wolfsroosje Mythische fictie: De Sneeuwkoningin in tijden van klimaatsverandering Landschap: 'dynamietrivieren', visboerderijen, olievelden 4) Donderdag 16 december: Het droomlied Theorie en reflectie: De roeping Verhaal: het droomlied Orientatië: kompas met de windrichtingen Het geheim van de Kerstman Niet-menselijke gast: Spar 5) Donderdag 20 januari: Nokken en duistere poelen Theorie en reflectie: De ketel van transformatie Verhaal: van de nokken in Noorwegen naar de nekker in Brussel & Mechelen Niet-menselijke gast: baardmos 6) Donderdag 17 februari: De Drie Nornen Theorie en reflectie: de pelgrimstocht Verhaal: drie Nornen, de drie koninginnen Aurora Borealis Niet-menselijke gast: Berk 7) Donderdag 17 maart: de Mijnwerkersdochter Theorie en reflectie: Het begraven vrouwelijke opgraven Een Noorse heldin: Ann-Magrit Paskekrimme i Norge Niet-menselijke gast: klein hoefblad 8) Donderdag 21 april: Trollen Theorie en reflectie: balans herstellen Woord: Bergtatt Verhaal: Huldra Roep van de Berg - Arne Naess #deepecology Gast: Trollenboom 9) Donderdag 19 mei: De terugkeer van het licht Theorie en reflectie: de terugkeer Verhaal: De dood en terugkeer van Balder Gast: jeneverbes ... What's next? Idee thema's voor inspiratiereis Heilige boerderijbomen / Tuntreet Odin, runen & Yggdrasil Wat gaan we doen? Elke sessie bestaat uit een welkom, check-in met iedereen en een korte zintuiglijke uitnodiging (meditatie, naar een mooi lied luisteren etc.). Ik hou een korte kennisoverdracht, maar ik werk ook met de wijsheid van de cirkel. We geven (de virtuele) praatstok door zodat iedereen kort en bondig zijn verhaal met de kring kan delen). Elke sessie heeft ook een thema (zie voorlopig curriculum). Na een pauze geven we eventjes aandacht aan een plant of boom. We sluiten af met een individuele creatieve oefening en een groepsreflectie. In de laatste cirkels is er ook tijd om jullie verhalen of nieuwe kennis te delen, of om de inspiratiereis in Noorwegen voor te bereiden: vragen, opmerkingen, wensen, ambities te delen. Inbegrepen in de prijs: Negen cirkels inhoud en begeleiding via maandelijkse zoom en e-mails Toegang tot meer bronmaterialen via GoogleDrive. creatieve vibes, een nieuwe 'tribe' en andere 'dingen' die onbetaalbaar zijn Niet inbegrepen: fysieke bijeenkomst Nog in overweging (niet in prijs inbegrepen): een inspiratiereis in Noorwegen (langs de Glomma rivier), met enkele bosbaden, gemakkelijke wandelingen, momenteel voor creativiteit en kampvuurgesprekken, rond het thema: wat kunnen landschappen ons leren over thuisvoelen en hoe kunnen we landschappen helpen? -- eind juli 2022 Kostprijs: Prijs per sessie: € 12 Als je voor alle 9 sessies inschrijft: € 90 De ticketprijs mag geen drempel zijn en we geven ook 2 vrijstellingen (neem contact op via de contact form ). 1/3e wordt gebruikt voor het goede doel van Robur op Den Eik vzw. 1/3e is voor vrijwilligersbijdragen. 1/3e is voor een zoom abonnement en andere kosten. Voorbereiding Ter voorbereiding op de start van de cirkel, zorg ervoor dat u beschikt over: Een goede stabiele internetverbinding. Zoom geïnstalleerd hebt op uw toestel. Indien nodig kunt u het hier gratis downloaden : https://zoom.us/download Zorg ervoor dat Zoom geüpdatet is naar de laatste versie, anders kan u problemen ondervinden bij het inloggen. Als u een deel van het live-evenement niet kunt bijwonen, zullen er opnames beschikbaar zijn. Inschrijven: Inschrijven kan via de contact form . Laat zeker weten of je een sessie of de hele serie wil volgen. Na de bevestiging krijgen de deelnemers een e-mail van Wendy. Deelnemers sturen daarna het geld naar de rekening van Robur op Den Eik vzw om dan de zoomlink te krijgen. Deze cirkel gaat door zodra er vier inschrijvingen zijn. Heb je nog andere vragen? Stuur een bericht via de contact form.

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.

Collective 'Belonging in the Belgian nature *' * Broad definition: everything that touches our roots and feeling of belonging * Narrow definition: places like forests, meadows ... Fragmented Belgian nature Belgium is a highly densely populated country with land-use conflicts and which knows many different ethnical communities with their own epistemology. In addition, the 'other' nature in Belgium is very fragmented, resulting in Belgium being one of the forest-poorest countries in Europe. For instance, there are not many nature parks or wild, non-managed nature in Belgium. Belgium has not many forests, with many protected and fenced areas, resulting in a huge pressure on nature if many people come there. In many forests, moving is only allowed on paths. Under influence of COVID-19 restrictions we witnessed how paths became more muddy and wider. During the first lockdown, when ways of virus spreading were not clear and pandemic management measures were still not well established and clear, some parts of forests were closed off. However, already before the pandemic, the availability of natural public places has already been an issue. Only few places in Belgium are designated for swimming and camping outdoors due to possible harmful human pressure on fragile nature environments and lack of human knowledge to engage safely and in autonomous manner into nature relationships. The COVID-19 measures only made some uneven distributions of land (and other resources) more visible. Our collective wants to use systems thinking and design thinking to identify and expand the pathways towards justice, inclusion, sharing and belonging in the Belgian nature (and beyond). Inspired by the Belonging and Other Institute , we identify these pathways as following: “Systems thinking offers a holistic approach to analyze exclusive societal dynamics by focusing on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate across domains, disciplines and borders. Design thinking is an iterative process that seeks design solutions by deepening one's understanding of the problem through empathizing with the problem's stakeholders, questioning assumptions and implications, and identifying creative strategies that might not be instantly apparent. ” Although the center of this collective is Belgium, the activities will extend to European and possibly Planetary dimension by using hybrid working methods: combining physical learning spaces with virtual, open to all. The Collective We are all fascinated by the questions around othering and belonging, because of our professional and personal backgrounds. Our collective aims to explore the impact of nature based health and art practices on the feeling of belonging among citizens from different backgrounds. Our collective is formed by: active members of the informal community of forest therapy / bath guides based in Belgium (apparently, but subject to change) serial rooters; we have rooted in several places and experienced personally that each place can give valuable lessons and gifts, which manifest as internal need and desire to give 'something' back or share to more places People with experience in research and / or practice in nature based art and health practices People with a deep interest (perhaps partly because they are serial rooters themselves) for rooting, place and sense making, belonging, othering and intersectional environmentalism . Learn more about the collective: The 'Humans' behind this Collective (Planned) Activities Soul Activities = Activities of partner organizations or our affiliations which are in compliance with the mission of the collective Tools and methods Gossip from the Belgian Nature The case studies Please let us know if you want to be part of this collective or collaborate as a partner, through the contact form; then we arrange one or more 'nature walks' and discuss ideas.

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

Forest baths abroad World 'forest' you can find guides and organized forest baths. By participating in a foreign forest pool you can get to know the forests and people from there better in a short time. It is certainly part of eco-tourism and conscious travel. Where can you find a guide? Both the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT) and the Orest Therapy Institute have a page with a map and a search engine where you can find more than 800 guides. Some Belgian guides can also be found here. https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/membership/guide-directory#!directory/map https://foresttherapyinstitute.com/find-a-guide/ Forest baths for travelers and ex pats Wendy van Wereldwoud has guided walks with expats and is also looking for forest bathing guides abroad. Since September 2018, she has been running a separate blog with the aim of inspiring 'uprooted' people (travelers, tourists, expats ...) to find grounding in the forests near their (temporary) new home: https://woodwidewebstories.com /

Here we collect all Belgian media publications about this practice. Flemish media: 2020 TESTED: editor Jolien went down in the Muziekbos during a forest bath 11 October in the Flair, with Ingeborg Verplancke as guide 'Meditate in Meditate in the Bautersemhof: Donatienne organizes' Bosbaden' September 28 in HLN, with testimony from Donatienne Dierckx-de Borman Forest baths in Heverleebos: “We forgot to use our senses” February 24 on VRT.news with testimony from Kathleen Van Den Dries 'The forest gives everyone what he needs' February 1 in Randkrant, with testimony from Ilse Simoens 2019 Pocket book for forest baths, forest as a therepaut December 20 in our nature, with inputs from Katriina Kilpi Doctor, can you prescribe some more forest? November 6 in Mo * magazine, by Wendy Wuyts, with inputs from Ann Tillman and Katriina Kilpi Japanese Forest Baths is coming to Brussels June 30 in BRUZZ, with the testimony of Ilse Simoens 2018 The art of shinrin-yoku: 'In Japan, doctors just send you into the forest' August 28 in Knack, with testimony from Ingeborg Verplancke Less stress, a healthier body and better sleep through 2 hours of forest baths March 9 in HLN Do you think articles are missing? Let us know for sure via the contact form. Just copy the URL, paste it into the contact form and you're done. Let us know what's missing. Thank you.

Hier vind je een verzameling van gratis podcasts met gidsen in Vlaanderen. 'Flemish' podcasts about forest baths On this page we collect all podcasts about forest baths and / or with forest bathing guides in Flanders. Is a podcast missing? Send us a message via the contact form. You will also be informed of the premiere of a new podcast (episode) via the newsletter. Forest bathing sounds Get into nature now with the Bosbadgeluiden Podcast! And enjoy a refreshing forest bath with accompanying audio in your favorite forest! Can you also enjoy being in the forest? The sound of the wind between the leaves, the birds singing, the sun shining on your face and the scent of the earth? And do you want to immerse yourself completely in the forest? Then this forest bath sounds podcast is for you! First listen to our short video in which you get some more information about forest baths and what the positive effects are for your health. We also give you a brief practical explanation about what you can take into account when you go 'forest baths with ears'. Video: In collaboration with www.demuzen.be Music: Track: Woods Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 Want to experience it yourself? Then go to the forest and listen to our Bosbadgeluiden podcast. Here we invite you to let yourself be guided step by step during a unique forest experience. You slow down, open your senses, explore your environment, focus on your breathing and the sensations in your body. You are invited to connect more with the nature around you and with yourself. And especially to fully enjoy all the beauty around you. Listen to the different podcasts now: We wish you a lot of fun in the forest! Steffie, Ingeborg and Usha Fancy more? We are very curious what you think of our podcast and how you experienced the forest bathing. Do you have any questions after your walk in nature? Or are you interested in a live forest pool with a guide? Feel free to contact us. Ingeborg: inborg@levenswandel.be Steffie: svandierendonck@gmail.com Usha: info@insidenature.be Or register for a forest pool at one of the other forest pool guides in Flanders: https://www.bosbadenvlaanderen.com/gidsen-in-belgie Other podcasts: Luka from the international Podcast 'Inspirierend Anders' invited Wendy to talk about her life as a forest bathing guide (February 2021) Source: https://www.inspirierendanders.com Forest therapy guides make better lovers Inspirierend Anders 00:00 / 47:29 Hanne Daems and Jolien Lammens, two psychologists and yoga teachers, share their experience of a supervised forest pool (October 2020): https://www.radioviainternet.be/podcasts/tussenstop/2020/11-bosbadenshinrin-yoku Nature and Forest Agency, with Katriina Kilpi (on the occasion of the nature oases, 2019)

Previously asked questions Here we list the questions that guides (in training) or people who would like to do training have already asked. Can you make a living as a forest bath guide? No. Not full time. Not in Flanders. I definitely recommend reading an interesting blog by an experienced (and well-known international guide) before you resign and start training: https://juliaplevin.medium.com/can-you-make-a-living-as -a-forest-therapy-guide-30033a04ec02 You certainly cannot get rich. And even then it would not fit the authenticity of your calling. My costs (including investment costs) are even greater, but since I see forest bathing guide training and the things that will happen to you afterwards as part of my personal development and health promotion and quest for authenticity, that's okay for me. Which training suits me best? You will already find a (not complete) list on the page of courses. We recommend that you first find out for yourself why you want to do a training and what you want to get out of it. From this you can distil your own criteria. Contact different study programs and see which study program best meets your criteria. Here are some guiding questions: Do you want to strengthen your own 'nature connection'? Do you also want to make a personal development yourself? Do you already guide forest baths? Are you a nature coach? And are you mainly looking for a way to validate that with a certificate? Are you a clinical psychologist or doctor and would you like to understand the (medical) science behind forest baths? How much money do you want to spend? How much time do you want to - and can - invest? (Usually the time to want is longer than to be able to). Do you want to do this in Belgium? Or are you willing to go abroad? Do you want to do this at your own pace? Or via a timetable of the trainer? How creative and enterprising are you? (Especially if you want to earn some money afterwards) ... At FTI and ANFT we have to take an outdoor / wilderness first aid (4 pm - 2 days) to obtain our certificate. Are you informed or can you recommend an organization in Belgium? An organization organizes it once a year, but then I have to wait another 9 months. Ah yes, the wilderness first aid training is really very difficult to find in Belgium. I also had to do that from ANFT. It is also recommended by ANFT to do this every two years as well, as a kind of refresher. You can also contact an organization to provide training this summer in Belgium, perhaps especially for forest bathing guides. There are several organizations that can give that in Belgium. You must have a minimum number of participants, but maybe you can look through the facebook group of the FB guides to see how much interest would be in such training and then appeal to an organization? Another option is to follow that online. I was lucky that ANFT allowed me to do it online at the end of my practical, also because that was all I had to do and the pandemic was then called. The problem is that there is a lot of physical contact: you should always have a regular 'sidekick' to practice on. I had to take pictures of how to care for a broken leg and was lucky that my mum (my hug contact) was willing. Don't they allow online courses in FTI as well? More questions Don't hesitate to ask us. --- These questions have been answered by Wendy Wuyts.

Antwerpen Gidsen in Antwerpen (Update 03 March 2023) Ann Tilman (ANFT certificaat) is de bezielster van Foresterra dat ontstaan is uit de noodzaak om te vertragen. Zij gidst op verschillende plaatsen in Vlaanderen en is trainer en mentor bij het Forest Therapy Institute (FTI). Ann vindt het waardevol om mensen bewust te maken en weer in contact te brengen met hun eigen natuur. Na de ANFT-opleiding heeft zij haar kennis en vaardigheden verder verdiept bij het Instituut voor Bostherapie (https://foresttherapyinstitute.com ). Je kan haar volgen via haar website https://www.foresterra.be/. Het mooiste dat je zelf hebt willen delen en doorgeven aan anderen….Dé reden waarom Ariane Van Duytekom mensen mee wil nemen op de tocht die ze de laatste jaren heeft ondernomen. Namelijk, het opnieuw ontdekken van je ware zelf, de empathie en mildheid voor de andere vergroten en de immense liefde voor Moeder Aarde en de natuur omarmen. Ze heeft haar opleiding gevolgd in de Academie Voor Helende Natuur (Ilse Simoens) en bij Mindfulness Trainer (Edel Maex). Haar begeleidingen zijn hoofdzakelijk in het Antwerpse. Je kan haar contacteren via www.Nature-in-mind.be (nog in aanbouw) of per mail: Arianevanduytekom@hotmail.com Donatienne Dierckx-de Borman heeft de opleiding gevolgd bij Ilse Simoens , en begeleidt bosbaden in het Nederlands en in het Frans, rond Brussel, in de Kempen (zoals domein Bautersemhof in Zandhoven), en op plaatsen op aanvraag. Haar website is https://www.calendulaplus.be/nl/home/ Heidi Lenaerts (gecertificeerd ANFT- gids en Natural Mindfulness gids) is een natuur en bos therapie gids en een natural mindfulness gids. Haar website is https://www.academyfornaturalinspiration.com . Als jongerencoach wil Peggy Peeters het beste uit jongeren(10-18 jaar) halen. Vanuit haar eigen ervaring laat ze hen de kracht van de natuur ervaren door hen te coachen tijdens wandelingen in het bos. Vertrekkende vanuit de kwaliteiten van de jongere gaat ze daar, weg van hun comfortzone en uit hun dagdagelijkse context, op zoek naar hun doel en de perspectieven voor hun worsteling. Om zichzelf nog meer te kunnen voeden met de positieve effecten van de natuur, volgde ze de opleiding SHIRIN-YOKU gids aan de Academie voor Helende Natuur. Ze biedt bosbaden aan voor zowel groepen bestaande uit duo’s jongere + volwassene als enkel volwassenen. Ze is ervan overtuigd dat het maximaal inzetten van al onze zintuigen in de natuur resulteert in een sterkere verbinding met onszelf en elkaar. Meer info. www.pakjekracht.be Wendy Wuyts (ANFT certificaat) van Wereldwoud organiseerde vooral bosbaden in de Antwerpse Kempen, maar woont en werkt nu in Noorwegen. Bij haar is ook het verhaal/de geschiedenis van de plaats zelf belangrijk. Ze heeft gegidst in Japan en in België. In Japan heeft ze ook 2,5 jaar gewoond, dus ze vertelt ook wat over shinrin-yoku. Je kan haar volgen via instagram @wereldwoud of bereiken via deze website. Vanaf augustus 2021 is ze voor een jaar in Noorwegen, maar je kan deelnemen aan haar maandelijkse virtuele cirkels. Contacteer haar via de website of instagram.

Vlaams-Brabant Contact persoon: TBC Gidsen in Vlaams-Brabant (Update 03 March 2023) Ana Vazquez organiseert boswandelingen in Brussel. Haar passie voor de verbinding met de natuur laat u rustig en rustig door de prachtige parken van Woluwe en La Fôret de Soignes lopen. Ze heeft een Diploma, Gids in het Bosbad door het Instituut voor Bostherapie. Ze werd ook opgeleid, 8 weken durende mindfulness cursus MBCT door het Brussels Mindfulness Instituut. Ze heeft een bachelor in de rechten aan de Universidad Complutense in Madrid. Ze heeft ook een MOOC-diploma in: The Science of Happiness (Berkeley University), Boeddhisme en Moderne Psychologie (Princeton University), Understanding Plants (Tel Aviv University), Oriental Beliefs (UCLouvain), Shinrin Yoku - Forest Bathing (Centre of Excellence). Je kan haar terugvinden op de website van het Forest Therapy Institute . Boempatatman, dat is het alter ego van Dirk Janssen op facebook en instagram , ervaren instructeur in de Wim Hof Methode, natuurcoach, bosbad-gids en helemaal klaar om met jou op pad te gaan. Hij nam al heel wat mensen mee op pad. Mensen die moe zijn en hun energie terugzoeken, maar ook mensen die benieuwd zijn naar hun kracht en focus. Verwacht geen escapisme, zweverige aanpak of vlucht uit de maatschappij. Hij toont je de kracht van de natuur als aanvulling op het leven van elke dag en reikt je handvaten die je door de ratrace heen loodsen en je veerkrachtig doen voelen. Meer informatie over zijn aanbod op www.boempatat.me of via dirk@boempatat.me Ilse Simoens is een bosbadgids en bezielster van Academie voor Helende Kunst . Zij organiseert ook opleidingen. Ze werkt al meer dan 20 jaar voor het Instituut voor Natuur en Bos onderzoek. Je kan haar academie op facebook vinden. Als wandelcoach (met een achtergrond in HR) combineert Katleen Van den dries haar beide passies, mensen en natuur. Ze gelooft in de kracht van beweging en van buiten zijn. Naast het inzetten van natuur voor loopbaanbegeleiding en welzijn op het werk, is Katleen ook bosbad-gids. Ze deed ervaring op in het Yoshino Forest Therapy Centre in Japan, en ging ondertussen over heel Vlaanderen met veel verschillende groepen het bos in om de deelnemers een echt bosbad te laten ervaren. Meer informatie en Katleen contacteren kan via www.careerboots.com . Ook kan je haar volgen op facebook en instagram . Lena Van der Bruggen is een bosbadgids en natuurgids. In oktober 2019 startte ze met de opleiding tot "gids bosbaden" in Nederland bij de Shinrin Yoku Academy. Intussen heeft ze al vele uren in het Zoniënwoud rondgezworven. Ze volgde ook de opleiding "natuurgids Zoniënwoud" via Natuurpunt CVN. Het bos blijft een bron van rust, inspiratie, troost soms. Het is als een goede vriend bij wie je altijd terecht kan. Ze gidst in het Zoniënwoud. Ze heeft haar eigen website: https://www.boslucht.be en een facebook pagina en een instagram account . Het motto van Marleen Crombez is Unplug, slow down, connect with nature, your nature. Haar liefde voor de natuur is er al van kindsbeen af ... en de afgelopen 25 jaar gegroeid al lopend door het Zoniënwoud. Tijdens haar wekelijkse hardlooptraining werd ze meer en meer vertrouwd met de deugden van de natuur en het bos . De laatste 7 jaar ruilde zij het lopen in voor wandelen oftewel “wanderen”. In de zomer van 2019 werd zij ingewijd in Shinrin Yoku door Ann Tilman en is sinds die dag grote fan en practitioner. Recent ook actief met Forest Mind. Zij neemt mensen graag mee op pad om zich te verbinden met de natuur, hen uit te nodigen voor een beleefmoment om tot rust te komen en lichaam en geest te ontspannen. Je kan haar contacteren via marleen.crombez@gmail.com

Dear friends and acquaintances, Warm greetings from the Kempen. In the past, people saw Halloween as the end of an old and the beginning of a new year circle. The dark days invite us to turn inward and become more aware of our connections and relationships with others - people, trees, rocks, places. In more northern cultures you see that people read more books. It's too cold to be out for long, but stories can make us feel connected. That's why I thought Halloween (just before midnight) was a good time to launch my new book 'The white dream'. After many years of hard work behind my pc, the necessary writer's blocks and some 'genius hunches', it is finally finished and I am very proud of it! I have published my book through Brave New Books and there it is also - from this weekend - for sale. A summary Suzanne searches for her missing daughter, who is associated with an eco-terrorist attack in Japan. During the search for her daughter, she is confronted with her own past. In this way she gets closer and closer to the mysterious truth of a great family secret. “The White Dream” is a book full of fantasy and adventure that takes you to different cultures and makes you face some of the hard truths of life with a dreamy look. This mystical eco-thriller takes you from mysterious Japan through the raw Scottish nature to ancient forests in Cameroon and hidden places in Pakistan. More background information Readers of my first book, Als Meubels Konden Speak, noted that I have a good pen and can write. I worked on my first book for six months. 'The white dream' is a fruit of years of imagination and research and writing. To me this book feels like my first child. I also worked with the same editor: Galia van de Wouwer from 'in Eigen Woord' . I learned a lot from this talented lady - with a great attention to detail. This book is especially for people who like a bit of fantasy, mythology and (eco) spiritual ideas. For me it is a retelling of the myth of Demeter-seeks-Persephone-and-her-own-growth: it is also about family and how trauma is passed on from mother to daughter. The book has several layers. During our collaboration, Galia remarked that it is almost scary that I wrote years ago about a disease that is the symptom of broken natural connections. To me, the white dream symbolizes a mysterious illness, a symptom that indicates broken relationships with the rest of nature, with your own nature. Do you know people who like to read such books? Book cover The book cover was designed by Laura Brusselaers. She is a Belgian wood engraving artist. Since some chapters take place in Japan and woodcut is also a motif, Laura looks on the same themes as I think about and she looks at nature connections as dreamily as I do, I asked her to make the book cover. We had a great collaboration (corona proof). For me it was important that the book cover tells you that you see the forest, but that the forest also sees you. Laura's instagram is really cool: https://www.instagram.com/forest.edge.atelier/ Special promotion for early winter birds Until December 10, 2020, everyone can only buy the book through the printer: http://www.bravenewbooks.nl/books/178910 The book has 454 pages. Yes, slightly thicker than Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban. Until December 10, I can also offer the book cheaper: € 18.99. From the weekend of December 12, everyone can also buy the paperback via bol.com and other bookstores. The fixed sale price will be € 25.99. Since 1/3 of the fixed sales price goes to bookstores, my royalties will also be lower. Anyone who buys my book for the lower price in the following weeks actually gives me extra financial support. E-book The book also comes as an e-book, for € 5.49. You can order the e-book via bol.com for your Kobo e-reader, but also via the printer . It is not available through Amazon. A little update about me I am a forest bathing guide, environmental scientist and writer. In the past four years I divided my time between Belgium, Japan, Thailand and Scandinavia. I am also a 'serial rooter': I root in more places, receive love and wisdom from that temporary deep rooting and learn from different cultures. I also try to give something back. Readers will also notice this in the blogs I have been writing for Mo * magazine since 2016 or in previous work. This summer I was admitted to the Writers Academy and I am working on a third book there. Since the end of September, my doctoral research and fellowship from the Japanese government have ended and I am finishing this major three-year project. Then I will (hopefully) start a new chapter in my academic career in 2021. At the same time, this interim period offers me an opportunity to be creative on a larger mission: inspiring people with stories and forest baths to become more aware of their connections with the rest of nature. Every now and then I volunteer for Robur at Den Eik or blog on my Instagram account @wereldwoud . Again briefly The book is for sale at http://www.bravenewbooks.nl/books/178910 Until December 10, the price is € 18.99. I'm looking for readers who like to read stories by a cozy winter fire :) Do you know such people?