Hinoki, or Japanese Cypress, has one of the highest levels of phytoncides, the aromatic compound that protects itself but also strengthens our immune system. This native Japanese tree is deeply rooted in Japan’s long history and is the inspiration for the name of my forest bathing business. Hinoki is used in many aspects of Japan, from the oils used in healthcare and beauty products to Shinto ceremonies, purification rituals and the building of shrines and temples.

Hinoki Forest Bathing sessions reflect my Japanese heritage. I often refer to Japanese philosophies, such as ‘wabi sabi‘ and ‘yugen‘ and we end our sessions with a Japanese inspired woodland tea ceremony. My HINOKI Insights are often about Japanese philosophies, especially related to mindfulness, nature and gratitude.

FOREST BATHING IS FOR A HEALTHY MIND AND BODY

It started in the 80s in Japan, where it is called Shinrin Yoku, to help the Japanese population decrease stress levels. Then in 1990, Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki began studies to further understand the benefits of Shinrin Yoku. Since 2004, a researcher named Dr Qing Li conducted many experiments and studies to determine the benefits of Shinrin Yoku and why it helps. It was determined that in research in Japan, half of the reason Shinrin Yoku worked is attributed to aromatic organic compounds called Phytoncides. These are defence compounds that trees and plants emit to help fight off pests and diseases. These same compounds also have positive physiological effects on us.

The other half of why Shinrin Yoku helps us is mindfulness and meditation, purposefully focusing your attention on the present moment, a key element in stress reduction and overall happiness.

Research in Japan has shown that practising Shinrin Yoku could help:

• Improve weakened immunity, with an increase in natural killer (NK) cells, white blood cells that attack tumours and infection
• Significantly decreased level of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline
• Reduce blood pressure
• Increase heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of being in your parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ state
• Decrease blood sugar levels
• Increase anti-cancer proteins perforin, granzyme A and granulysin
• Increase hours of sleep
• Improve concentration and memory
• Improve levels of feeling of wellbeing

Forest Bathing Guide | Lifestyle Herbalist | Forager| Educator

Lisa is a qualified Forest Bathing guide, having studied at The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI) in the UK. While working with TFBI, she worked with the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM) and Dr Qing Li, the world’s foremost expert in forest medicine, to establish Dr Li as an advisor to TFBI’s forest bathing research.

Lisa is also a mindfulness and meditation coach, foraging guide, and a lifestyle herbalist. An English and Japanese speaker, Lisa grew up frequently visiting Japan and its beautiful forests.

Lisa has a keen interest in helping people to build a stronger connection to nature, in the form of forest bathing, foraging, and herbal workshops, which in turn helps them to destress, relax and gain a stronger disposition to working in the modern, sometimes stressful lives we all live in. Lisa helps her participants with knowledge and experience to carry forward into their daily lives.

Originally from Hawaii, she has a Bachelor in Science (BS) degree from the University of Southern California and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago. Her former careers, starting in advertising and ending in corporate strategy, took her to Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo.

Lisa now lives in the Surrey Hills in Abinger Hammer, near Guildford, with her husband, three daughters and border collie. She practises her Forest Bathing daily in the Surrey Hills and especially enjoys being in the woodland on Holmbury Hill.

You can see what Lisa is up to on Instagram @hinoki.forestbathing.lisa and on Facebook hinoki.forestbathing.lisa.

Yoga Instructor | Breathwork Facilitator | Educator

Lindsey and Lisa collaborate to offer workshops and one-day yoga, breathwork and forest bathing retreats. Lindsey started yoga in 2010 and since then her passion has been to nurture and empower individuals through teaching yoga, breathwork, meditation and mindfulness. With practice, these tools support individuals both mentally and physically by cultivating a sense of embodiment and a deeper connection between mind, body and spirit. Lindsey thrives on assisting each individual on their own path of personal growth and transformation.

Lindsey has recently expanded her offering to include Conscious Connected Breathing. This dynamic, circular breathwork helps to access clarity, emotional release, and deeper intuition, creating space for lasting change from the inside out. Keep an eye out for collaborations!

Previous training includes a 580 hour Yoga Therapy course with The Minded Institute which led to a 40 hour Yoga for Cancer training. Lindsey holds a Yoga Alliance RYT200 hour teaching qualification through Yoga London and attends numerous anatomy workshops for continuous development in this area. Please visit www.lindseybrowntherapy.com to find out more. You can visit Lindsey’s Instagram @lindseybrown_therapy

Sound Healer | Cacao Facilitator | Educator

Nadine’s beautiful soul resonates through as she plays her alchemy crystal singing bowls, with healing vibrations that we deeply feel. Please visit Nadine’s Instagram @beneath_la_luna to find out more.

I AM – WE ARE

I AM LOVE – WE ARE LOVE

I AM LIGHT – WE ARE LIGHT

I AM VIBRATIONS – WE ARE VIBRATIONS

Photographer | Educator

Henry is a photographer from the Surrey Hills, known for his sensitive and soulful approach to capturing the quiet beauty of the natural world. With a background in both visual storytelling and Japanese gardening, his work explores the space where human presence meets the wild- gently, honestly, and without artifice.

His approach to photography is about connection, Henry guides others to notice the subtle interplay of light, texture, and emotion in a scene. His imagery often reflects a deep attunement to stillness, transition, and the unspoken messages whispered in nature.

Henry’s aim is simple: to help people see more clearly, feel more deeply, and reconnect with what matters.

You can view his work at henrycatling.com  and on Instagram @henry.catling

Artist | Textile Practitioner | Educator

Linnéa is a multidisciplinary artist and educator whose practice explores the relationship between textiles, movement, and the natural world. Growing up on Dartmoor fostered a deep appreciation for the land that continues to shape her practice. Through a slow, material-led approach rooted in botanical dyeing and textiles, she invites reflection, sensory awareness, and a deeper connection between body and landscape.

After studying Textiles at the Royal College of Art, Linnéa has developed an interdisciplinary practice spanning art and design. She exhibits her work, undertakes commissions, and develops collaborative projects alongside her studio practice.

She has spent the past several years leading creative workshops for community groups, cultural organisations, and private clients.

Her teaching encourages a slower pace, creating welcoming spaces to cultivate curiosity, connection, and presence through making by hand.

Explore more of Linnéa’s practice at www.linneaduckworth.com and on Instagram @linnea.duckworth

Aroma Therapist | Aroma Therapy Facilitator | Educator

Forest Bathing Guide | Qigong Practitioner | Educator

Ciaran Ivanovic is a qualified Mindfulness Practitioner, Nature Therapist, and Montessori teacher, with a deep passion for reconnecting people—especially children—with mindfulness through nature. She is the founder of Mindful Kids and has created accessible, nature-based practices that support calm, focus, and self-regulation, particularly for those who are neurodivergent or experiencing anxiety.

With over 25 years of meditation practice inspired by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, Ciaran is trained in MBSR, Tai Chi, and Qigong, and is an accredited member of the ACCPH. Her work blends mindfulness, movement, and nature to create grounding, embodied experiences. Ciaran partners with organisations like Heath Hands to offer free mindful walks and supports adolescents on the CAMHS waitlist through therapeutic time in nature. Her offerings include workshops, guided walks, and professional training, all rooted in the belief that nature helps us return to our innate wellbeing.

You can find out more about Ciaran on her website www.mindful-kids.co.uk and on Instagram @mindfulnessandnatureuk.

Designer | Maker | Educator

​Charlotte’s practice is centred around the contemplative philosophy of depicting memory and translating narratives through the essence sculptural transients, articulating a mood through an immersive ambiance.

Charlotte has undertaken a Master in Textiles at the Royal College of Art developing her passion for materiality, tradition, and interactive textiles. She has since pursued a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Goldsmiths, University of London, now teaching across Product Design, Textiles, and Art. Alongside teaching, her practice encompasses commissioned work and limited collections of woven and printed textiles. Charlotte regularly leads workshops and tutorials for both public and private clients, drawing on her experience as an educator to create engaging, hands-on learning environments. Her aim is to foster creativity through sustainable, process-led making. You can learn more about Charlotte here on Instagram @charlottekarin.design and www.charlottekarindesign.com

Shodo Master | Educator

Akemi Kauffmann is a Japanese calligraphy teacher with more than 20 years of experience sharing the beauty and tradition of shodō (Japanese calligraphy) in Oxford. Throughout her career, she has taught students of all ages and abilities, including teaching at the University of Oxford, helping to foster a deeper appreciation of Japanese language, culture and artistic expression.

Passionate about building cultural connections, Akemi also organised Oxford Japan Day, a major community charity event held between 2017 and 2019. The event celebrated Japanese culture through performances, workshops, food and traditional arts while bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. Over the three years, Oxford Japan Day raised more than £10,000 for charity, reflecting Akemi’s commitment to both cultural exchange and community engagement.

Originally from Japan, Akemi continues to inspire others through her teaching, sharing not only the techniques of Japanese calligraphy but also its philosophy of mindfulness, discipline and creativity.

Photo credit: Henry Catling

Sound Healer | Musician | Educator

Melanie has dedicated over a decade to the transformative art of sound healing, completing her training with the revered gong master Mark Swan. Born with an innate sensitivity to energy, her journey into the world of gong playing was a natural evolution of her lifelong passion for wellness and spirituality.

Melanie’s approach to gong baths is deeply intuitive. Her sessions are known for their profound impact, often leading to emotional release, complete relaxation, and spiritual insights. Her clients describe her gong baths as life-changing experiences that facilitate profound healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

Her ability to connect deeply with those she serves make her a truly exceptional practitioner in the world of sound healing. Please visit Melanie’s Instagram @little_karuna to find out more.

Yoga Instructor | Sound Healer | Educator

Izzy loves sharing her passion for yoga, creating a warm and supportive space for others to explore and develop their own yogic practice. Her journey through wellness has continued into the medium of sound, and she now regularly runs retreats that incorporate mindful movement, meditation and healing vibrations to nourish a deeper mind-body connection.

From a childhood spent outdoors, Izzy feels happiest in nature, and has as strong appreciation for its innate ability to heal. She relishes any opportunity to bring nature into her practice, from specific postures, to visualisation and meditation that helps us connect in with that sense of energy and healing. Please visit Izzy’s Instagram @im.nourished to find out more.

Nutritionist | Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner | Educator

Selina is a registered nutritionist and lifestyle medicine practitioner. She trained at the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM), the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), and the College of Medicine and Integrated Health. She is registered with BANT, CNHC, ANP, and BSLM.

Selina grew up in Provence, Greece, and West Africa where food became one of her favourite ways to explore new cultures, make friends, and express her creativity. She experienced the transformative power of nutrition and lifestyle firsthand, during her recovery from hepatitis A in her late teens and to overcome burnout and hormonal disorders in her adult life.

Selina has a particular interest in longevity and performance. With kindness and self-compassion at the heart of her practice, she offers evidence-based, bespoke strategies to achieve and maintain optimal health.

Selina currently lives in London. When she isn’t running her international online clinic, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen, reading books or going on long walks.

You can find out more about Selina on her website www.selinaprager.com and on Instagram @selinanutrition

Doula | Birth-Keeper | Educator

Amanda is a Doula and birth-keeper based in Hampstead, North West London. Her interest in the culture of childbirth developed over 20 years ago, when the experience of birthing her own children inspired her PhD thesis on the history of the natural childbirth movement in the UK.

Amanda has a passion for empowering women during the transition into motherhood, through connection with themselves and their bodies, during pregnancy, birth and beyond.

As well as providing doula support, Amanda uses shamanic drumming and sound healing, along with ritual and ceremony based on traditions that have been practiced before, during, and after birth for thousands of years, to honour this sacred rite of passage.

Artist | Biologist | Storyteller | Educator

Paul Ritchie is a biologist, former police officer, countryside ranger, artist, and storyteller with a lifelong passion for nature and the landscapes we call home. Combining science, creativity, and years of practical experience, he helps people discover the stories hidden within trees, woodlands, and the wider natural world. Through engaging walks, talks, artwork, and visual storytelling, Paul brings to life the rich natural and cultural heritage of local landscapes, inspiring a deeper sense of place, curiosity, and belonging.

At the heart of Paul’s work is a powerful message: we are not only losing wildlife but also our connection with nature. By sharing his knowledge of trees, woodlands, and the living landscapes around us, he encourages people and communities to rediscover, value, and care for the places they call home. His work inspires action towards local rewilding while demonstrating how meaningful experiences of nature, art, and culture can nurture both wellbeing and a lasting connection to the natural world.

You can view Paul’s work HERE, and on Instagram @paulritchieartist.

Holistic Practitioner | Sound Healer | Reiki & Gua Sha Practitioner | Crystal Therapist

Michelle is a certified Holistic Practitioner with a background in healthcare and the charity sector, with studies spanning nutrition, mental health, end of life care and counselling support. Her own life journey acted as a catalyst, blending science-based and holistic healing modalities into a practice that is both grounded and deeply intuitive.

Her offerings include sound and crystal therapy, gua sha, reiki, soul midwifery, tarot and human design, woven together through a trauma-informed approach that harnesses the power of sound, energy and ritual.

Michelle invites you to pause, reflect, release, rebalance and return to yourself.

Happiest in nature, by the sea, in a forest or climbing a mountain, Michelle is often found working outdoors, weaving the natural world into her healing. She holds space for private clients alongside the corporate, charity and education sectors, and brings her offerings to retreats and festivals.

You can visit Michelle’s Instagram @alchemyinharmony.

Spiritual Guide | Meditation Teacher | Mountaineer | Speaker

Krish and Lisa collaborate on Meditation evenings at her home studio as well as Wild Walks through the Surrey Hills, during which time participants walk and talk with Krish, pause for meditations, and end the day Wild Walk experience with a forest bathing session with Lisa. Krish also offers meditation classes at Lisa’s private studio.

Krish started his early years as a monk. Through his service as a monk, he has practiced meditation and it has been his guiding light to spirituality, courage and control. Krish is an ex-SAS Mountaineer and has had the privilege of leading a 13-soldier SAS Mountain Troop, the largest ever UKSF and Ghurka summit team, up Everest. Back in May 2023, Krish led the team that supported Hari Budha-Magar, the first double amputee above the knees to summit Mount Everest. Krish’s mission: enlightenment through adversity.

Please visit www.krishthapa.com and on Instagram @warriormonk22 to find out more.

Photo credit: Greg Williams

Women’s Wellbeing Coach | Journal Facilitator

Jules Wood is a Transformative Women’s Wellbeing Coach dedicated to helping women navigate the challenges of midlife with greater confidence, clarity and self-compassion. Through gentle, personalised coaching, she supports women who feel overwhelmed, stuck or disconnected to rediscover their sense of purpose and embrace the next chapter of their lives.

Jules is also the founder of Journal Club, a welcoming and supportive space where reflective writing becomes a powerful tool for personal growth. Her thoughtful, compassionate approach has helped many people build confidence, gain fresh perspectives and find a genuine sense of community. Participants describe her as kind, encouraging and deeply insightful, creating an environment where everyone feels safe to explore their thoughts at their own pace.

Drawing on the restorative power of mindful reflection, Jules combines practical coaching techniques with journalling to help people slow down, reconnect with themselves and gain greater clarity. Her collaborative work in forest bathing and mindful journalling creates opportunities to experience the benefits of nature, reflection and meaningful connection in a calm and supportive environment.

Learn more about Jules at www.juleswoodcoaching.com and on Instagram @juleswoodcoaching.