Let Us Lead You Into The Forest
to Feel… to Breathe… to Be
Forest Bathing amongst the ancient trees and woodlands of the beautiful Isle of Wight
Let me lead you into the forest…
Amongst the ancient trees and woodlands of the beautiful Isle of Wight, you are invited to slow down, embrace nature, and immerse yourself in the healing energy of the trees – to relax, recharge and reconnect.
Slow Down
Breathe Deeply
Open Your Senses
This is not simply a walk in the woods. It is a bespoke, guided experience, tailored to you – allowing you to open your senses and create balance for body, mind and spirit.
Slow Down – Breathe Deeply – Open Your Senses
Not just a walk in the woods
This is a bespoke experience,
tailored to you.
Allowing you to open your senses and create balance for your body, mind and spirit.
Forest Bathing Isle of Wight
Guiding individuals, small groups, families and teams
Enabling you to safely embrace the forest and find connection to yourself and others, in Nature
Skilfully blending natural health & healing techniques with the
Healing power of the forest
Relax – Recharge – Reconnect
Immerse yourself in the sounds, smells and beauty of Nature.
Lowering your blood pressure
Releasing your stresses
Finding stillness and calm
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing was first described by Dr Qing Li, Associate Professor at Nippon Medical School, Japan, whose research explored how trees and forests can positively affect human health. Since then, studies across the scientific community have continued to confirm the value of spending time among trees for both mental and physical wellbeing.
With over half the world’s population now living in cities, many of us are only just surviving the pressures of modern life – the noise, the artificial light, the constant demands on our attention.
Forest Bathing offers a way back – away from the noise, into nature, where you can Simply Be.
Time amongst the trees has been shown to support us in many ways – relieving stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, easing low mood, improving concentration and creativity, and boosting the immune system. Above all, it creates the calm and balance that allows mind, body and spirit to heal.
How I Work
I guide individuals, small groups, families and teams, skillfully blending natural health and healing techniques with the healing power of the forest itself.
Sessions take place across a variety of public and private forest and woodland locations on the Isle of Wight, just four miles off the south coast of England, in areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Locations are chosen with care for each session, taking into account weather, wind direction and participant needs.
Every session is tailor-made. Please let me know of any special requirements you may have, so I can select a location suited to you – I am always happy to help make adaptations wherever needed.
What You May Experience
Each Forest Bathing journey may draw upon several gentle elements, woven together intuitively:
Meditation – a gently guided adventure through nature, to yourself, where peace and calm reside.
Sound Healing – stilling the mind before entering the forest, or offered as a celebration of thanks to nature at the journey’s close.
Creativity – an opportunity to express and record what you have experienced and encountered among the trees.
Silence – a friend invited to sit with you, without judgement, bringing comfort and leading you gently to your own path, to yourself.
How it all started…
Hello, my name is Anthea Payne.
Having lived and worked all over the world – from New York City to the Mongolian Steppe, the high Andes to the open seas – no matter where I found myself, I always found my place in nature.
Nature never failed me when I was feeling lost or low. It would show me sunlight glowing through a leaf, or sparkling off water. I would hear birdsong, or the gentle lapping of waves – each a small moment of joy, enough to lift the spirits and remind me that we are all connected in nature.
Working as an Energy Healer for people and animals, I began to notice a deepening affinity with the plant world – recognising the roles of individual trees within their community, and their relationship to one another. I understood more deeply that they deserve our respect and protection, especially as they breathe in the carbon dioxide, and breathe out the oxygen, we need to survive.
I noticed, too, how my own health improved simply by being among the trees – a greater sense of wellbeing, a deeper breath, a clearer mind. This led me to study Forest Bathing more fully. It was during that training, in one particular forest meditation, that an important message was sent to me by the trees – a message that led to the founding of Forest Bathing Isle of Wight.
Hello, my name is Anthea Payne.
Having lived and worked all over the world, no matter where I found myself, I always found my place in nature. It never failed me when I was feeling lost or low – a sunbeam through a leaf, birdsong, the lapping of waves – each a small moment of joy, reminding me that we are all connected in nature.
Working as an Energy Healer for people and animals, I began to notice a deepening affinity with the plant world, and understood more deeply that trees deserve our respect and protection.
I noticed how my own health improved simply by being among the trees, which led me to study Forest Bathing more fully. During that training, an important message was sent to me by the trees – a message that led to the founding of Forest Bathing Isle of Wight.
We are All connected in Nature.
The ancient trees are the Wise Knowledge Keepers and the Oxygen Givers We All need to survive!
We are All connected in Nature.
The ancient trees are the Wise Knowledge Keepers and the Oxygen Givers We All need to survive!
A Letter from the Forest
Previously protected by our own Sentinels.
We need You now.
To bring Human consciousness to include us, the Forest, in your plans.
We need our role to be recognised and valued.
You, the Humans, need to come to us for counsel.
To hear our view on the way forward.
You used to walk amongst us in ancient times,
You have forgotten how to walk amongst us.
The time is now!
The time for you to bring other hearts to us,
To be Human Sentinels –
The Listeners – the Learners – the Educators – the Sharers – the Survivors.
Take these ancient lessons and protect them.
Share them, spread them like our roots.
Create connections and strength for the Future.
For the Earth, for the Water, for the Air –
Be the Fire that drives all these things,
To enable You, the Humans, to Survive.
Channelled through the ancient forests of the Isle of Wight, April 2019
A Letter from the Forest
Previously protected by our own Sentinels.
We need You now.
To bring Human consciousness to include us, the Forest, in your plans.
We need our role to be recognised and valued.
You, the Humans, need to come to us for counsel.
To hear our view on the way forward.
You used to walk amongst us in ancient times,
You have forgotten how to walk amongst us.
The time is now!
The time for you to bring other hearts to us,
To be Human Sentinels –
The Listeners – the Learners – the Educators – the Sharers – the Survivors.
Take these ancient lessons and protect them.
Share them, spread them like our roots.
Create connections and strength for the Future.
For the Earth, for the Water, for the Air –
Be the Fire that drives all these things,
To enable You, the Humans, to Survive.
Channelled through the ancient forests of the Isle of Wight, April 2019
The Mission of Forest Bathing Isle of Wight:
Boost physical and mental health and wellbeing by connecting humans with the Healing power of Nature.
Building resilience, community and connection within Nature for the health and wellbeing of every species on our planet.
Supporting the Trees
We are proud supporters of the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, dedicated to the creation, protection and restoration of native woodland heritage.
We are all connected in nature. The ancient trees are the wise knowledge-keepers – and the oxygen-givers we all need to survive.
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the United Kingdom, concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage
Gift Vouchers
Forest Bathing Gift Vouchers are available for 1-2-1, group and family sessions.
FAQs
Q1: What is forest Bathing and what does it involve?
Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan and simply means immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. There is no water involved! Instead, you are invited to slow down, step away from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world through your senses.
Unlike a hike or guided nature walk, Forest Bathing is not about covering distance, identifying species or reaching a destination. The emphasis is on slowing your pace, becoming present and noticing what is around you – the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, the scent of the woodland, the textures beneath your fingertips, the changing light and the feeling of the earth beneath your feet.
As your Forest Bathing guide, I offer a series of gentle invitations and sensory practices designed to help you deepen your connection with nature. There is time for stillness, mindful walking, reflection and simply being, rather than doing.
The experience is unhurried, allowing you to reconnect with yourself as well as the natural world. Many people leave feeling calmer, grounded, restored and more deeply connected to the nature around them.
Q2: Do I need to be physically fit? I have special access requirements, can you accommodate these?
You do not need to be physically fit to enjoy Forest Bathing. This is not a hike or an endurance activity – we move slowly, cover relatively little distance and pause frequently to experience the natural world around us.
If you have limited mobility or particular access requirements, please let me know when you enquire. Wherever possible, I will adapt the experience around your individual needs.
I also have access to a beautiful private woodland where we can drive directly amongst the trees, so no walking is required. Seating can be provided, allowing you to settle comfortably in peaceful natural surroundings and enjoy the full Forest Bathing experience.
The benefits of connecting with nature do not depend upon how far you can walk. Forest Bathing is about slowing down, engaging your senses and allowing yourself time to simply be present with the natural world.
Please feel free to discuss any mobility, access or practical requirements with me beforehand so that together we can create an experience that feels comfortable and supportive for you.
Q3: What if it's raining? Do you still run the sessions?
A little rain doesn’t necessarily mean that your Forest Bathing session needs to be cancelled. In fact, light rain can add another dimension to the experience – enhancing the scents of the earth and trees, creating the gentle sound of raindrops on leaves and inviting us to experience the natural world in a different way.
After all, experiencing nature as it really is – rather than only on perfectly sunny days – can be part of the magic of Forest Bathing. With suitable clothing and footwear, we can often continue in light or intermittent rain.
However, your comfort and safety are always my priority. Sessions will be postponed in the event of torrential rain, high winds, thunderstorms, or formal weather warnings that could make being amongst the trees unsafe or uncomfortable.
For this reason, when we arrange your Forest Bathing experience, I always like to agree an alternative ‘option date’ with you. If the weather does turn against us, we already have another date in the diary and can simply move your session.
Forest Bathing Isle of Wight is fully qualified, and insured with Balens, for peace of mind and professionalism