Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing)

What is Shinrin-yoku?

The term Shinrin-yoku, coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 1982, is defined as making contact with and taking in (“bathing” in) the forest atmosphere in a mindful way using our senses. Shinrin-yoku is an evidenced-based practice.

What are the benefits?

Forest Bathing positively impacts well-being through:

  • encouraging gratitude and relaxation

  • facilitating personal insight & emotional awareness

  • reconnecting the self with one’s emotions

  • increasing social connection to others

  • promoting compassion towards the earth

  • lowering blood pressure

  • reducing stress

I see a mountain, hear a bird, 
And suddenly I’m lost from verse.
I have to take in everything,
For it’s you I breathe,
And that’s why I sing.


Holy Earth,
You woke me from sleep 
and brought me into love
Holy Earth,
You embrace and connect everyone
In your love


-Katy Oberle
(from the song “Holy Earth”)

Shinrin-Yoku with Katy

I completed my Shinrin-yoku/forest therapy certification at SHINE in Akron, OH, in 2023. My prior training and experience as a psychotherapist augments my ability to provide meaningful, trauma-informed group forest bathing experiences for participants. 

Shinrin-yoku sessions are usually 1.5-2 hours in length. A session usually looks like this:

  • Intros and learning about forest bathing (10 min)

  • Guided Intention Meditation and crossing the Threshold of Connection (10 min)

  • Embodied Awareness (10 min)

    • Choose a spot to sit or stand, and simply notice your surroundings, your body’s sensations, and how your senses bring you into contact with your surroundings.

  • Explore (10 min)

    • Walk mindfully, exploring until you’re called to an invitation from the forest.

  • Engage in 1-3 invitations that are calling you (20-40 min)

    • You might gaze at the water, speak to a tree, walk barefoot, examine animal tracks, practice reciprocity breathing, watch the clouds, etc.* (*In the “gathering” phase Katy will share more examples of potential invitations). 

  • Sit Spot, and crossing the Threshold of Incorporation (15 min)

  • Tea Ceremony and Sharing Circle (20-30 min)

  • Closing Practice (1-10 min)

  • “I was blessed to experience a forest bathing with the magically intuitive Katy Oberle. From the moment Katy greeted my friends and me on the path, I felt a change in my energy, connection, and focus. Katy's thoughtful introduction into the practice set the tone. With this beautiful and flexible agenda, we walked to a magical spot. With an agenda in mind and nature's calling, I reconnected with nature and rediscovered myself.”

    -Julie Pelzmann

  • “In a beautiful park, we sat down for Katy to instruct us on ways to make our time in the forest meaningful, and we breathed in the healthy benefits that trees exude into the air. When Katy guided us a short way into the woods, we slowed down and observed nature with all of our senses. Afterward, we shared our experiences with each other. I highly recommend!”

    -Allison List, LCSW

  • “During our time with you I connected with nature and immersed myself in the sounds, smells, and sights of the forest. I felt rejuvenated and motivated to collect beautiful leaves which I dried and brought home to share with my family in CA. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!”

    -Dianne Jankowski