About – Forest Bathing

The key to unlocking the power of the forest is in the five senses. Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet. Listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of the trees. Look at the different greens of the trees and the sunlight filtering through the branches. Smell the fragrance of the forest and breathe in the natural aromatherapy of phytoncides. Taste the freshness of the air as you take deep breaths. Place your hands on the trunk of a tree.

Dip your fingers or toes in a stream. Lie on the ground. Drink in the flavour of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm. This is your sixth sense, a state of mind. Now you have connected with nature. You have crossed the bridge to happiness.

In line with Covid-19 we are now somewhat restricted on our movements and gatherings. Instead, we are offering exclusive, intimate, 8 people only Forest Bathing experience!

However, should national and international visitors wish to experience a virtual forest bathing experience, please reach out to us and we can arrange a virtual experience for you.

In our forest bathing experiences, we foster a love of and protectiveness towards the natural world which is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoko. The gentle medicine of the forest slows you down and helps you to be fully present in your body and senses. Around the world, people are turning to forest bathing as an way to unplug, relieve stress and encourage creativity.

Nature | slow down and immerse the senses in nature
Reconnect | unplug and earth
Guide | all tours have a professional, qualified practitioner guide
Discover | hidden gems along the Wild Atlantic Way
Health Benefits | reduce stress, blood pressure and inflammation | increase immunity
Rejuvenation | rest and reboot | increase energy | improve sleep
Breathe | fresh forest air improves breathing and skin conditions
People | share this wonderful experience with like-minded people

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

ACORN
Immerse yourself in the natural world of forest bathing. Restore the self through mindful contact with trees as you connect with the sights and sounds of nature. Breathe the fresh air; listen to the waterrippling overthe stones; take in the varied birdsong; touch the moss on the trees and fully engage with the light, forest scents, and atmosphere as you follow your certified guide through a series of sensory connection invitations to practice forest bathing.

FOREST NAVIGATOR
Allowing yourself to take some time, just for you, to wander and wonder in the awe of the natural world of forest bathing. A certified forest bathing guide will take you on a series of gentle invitations of sensory connection where you will be invited to get back in touch with your senses in nature. Leaving behind your phone, camera or any other distractions, so that you can be fully presentin the experience. This is the practice of forest bathing. Complete your West Cork immersion into nature with a 2-hour workshop in the navigating your digital transformation be it your career, business and work life balance.

A talented human resources expert and design thinking coach and mentor will work with individuals and groups in an interactive session, getting to grips with a real user problem and building empathy forthe individual or group. Through creativity, ideation, innovation, and problem-solving scenarios; generating as many ideas and potential solutions as possible and retuning home with a protype fortesting.

Gráinne Bagnall is a design thinking – career management guest lecturer and lecturer and certified forest bathing guide. With hands-on expertise in creating and marketing STEAM (define) education programs, business communications, operational management and product design. She has worn many hats in her career: recruitment manager, designer, marketer, strategist and social entrepreneur. As a result, she has the unique ability to manage multi- disciplinary projects and to navigate complex challenges.

Gráinne founded her own social enterprise business; SAM Sense about Maths in 2012. SAM has since merged with STEAM Education UCC, in 2016 she was named as social entrepreneur Ireland for her work in STEAMEducation in primary schools.

The Manch Estate, Ballineen, West Cork or known as The Green Economy Foundation is an environmental non-government organisation. Working to promote the development of a green economy; where sustainable and resource efficient business models will outperform and ultimately replace those dependants on profit alone.
Founded in 2002 as the ‘Irish National Forestry Foundation’, they team work to advocate economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable forestry in Ireland. Over the years the work has
diversified into the areas of biodiversity, climate change, sustainable agriculture and resource efficiency.

The Manch Estate, West Cork