Our Forest Bathing sessions are run by Harmony In Nature, founded by Joanna Bristow-Watkins and Katie Robinson in 2021.  See Harmony Shop for public session dates and to book
🌳 For monthly Forest Bathing updates, moon dates, seasonal wisdom & celestial highlights: subscribe here.
See September issue here.

Experience how woodland can help your Physical, Mental & Emotional Health.

🌿 Forest Bathing & Nature Therapy with Harmony in Nature

Slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover your natural rhythm

At Harmony in Nature, we guide calming and rejuvenating Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy sessions in ancient and semi-ancient woodlands across Surrey and South London. These deeply restorative experiences combine mindfulness, meditation, and nature connection—supporting your mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Led by experienced guides Joanna Bristow-Watkins and Katie Robinson, both certified by The Forest Bathing Institute, our sessions are suitable for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate teams alike.

🍃 What is Forest Bathing?

Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, Forest Bathing means "bathing in the atmosphere of the forest". It invites you to slow your pace and tune into the healing power of trees through your senses.

🌲 Scientifically backed benefits include:
– Reduced stress and anxiety
– Improved immunity and sleep
– Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar
– Enhanced focus, memory, and creativity
– Greater emotional balance and inner peace

We integrate gentle sensory exercises, walking meditations, and nature mindfulness practices—sometimes with a spiritual or seasonal theme—to leave you feeling calm, centred, and deeply nourished.

🌟 What Makes Forest Bathing Different?

Wondering how Forest Bathing differs from a simple dog walk or stroll in the woods?
Discover the mindful depth and subtle power of this practice on our blog:

👉Why Forest Bathe?

🤝 Private, Charity & Corporate Experiences

Looking for a bespoke wellbeing event? We offer tailored Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy sessions for:

🌿 Friends & family groups
🌿 Charities & schools
🌿 Businesses & wellbeing teams

🕒 2–3 hour sessions from £444
📍 Alternative venues can be arranged (subject to suitability)
🗓  Minimum 3 weeks' notice for private group bookings

Corporate Wellbeing Experiences:
See our electronic brochure (pdf).
Tailored sessions available – please enquire.

We’ve collaborated with Mind Woking and other Surrey-based charities on multi-week programmes, receiving excellent feedback and tangible wellbeing outcomes.

🌳 Our Public Sessions

Our regular venue is the beautiful Harry Edwards Foundation near Shere, a healing sanctuary surrounded by semi-ancient woodland. Public sessions are typically 3 hours long (2½ hours in winter), and cost £39.77 per person.

We have guided sessions at Horsell Common, Kew Gardens, RHS Wisley, National Trust and RSPB sites, amongst others.  We can also work at various locations by arrangement.

🕊   Participants are asked to conduct sensory activities in silence to maximise personal and group benefit.
🐾 Sorry, dogs are not permitted (except trained Guide Dogs).
🌦   We run in all weathers—except high winds over 30mph—so come dressed for the elements.

🌿 Meet the Guides

Holding space for deep reconnection — with nature, yourself, and what truly matters

At Harmony in Nature, our Forest Bathing sessions are guided by a small, trusted team of experienced and intuitive facilitators. We blend natural mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and spiritual depth to create meaningful and restorative experiences in woodland settings.

Katie and Joanna were among the first two cohorts to be certified by The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI). Joanna brings valuable corporate insight from her earlier career as a Managing Director of a travel agency chain and senior industry trainer, adding an informed and relatable perspective for workplace wellbeing. Their combined approach is inclusive, grounded in scientific research, and enriched by years of spiritual and therapeutic practice.

We are also regularly joined by Julli Dunman, a freelance guide and qualified mindfulness teacher, who brings warmth, calm presence, and over three decades of client-facing experience to the team.

✨ Katie Robinson – Nature Educator & Wellness Facilitator

Katie brings a vibrant, earth-loving energy to every session. Her early love of the outdoors was sparked on childhood adventures hiking the Lake District and North Yorkshire Moors. She has since completed two survival skills courses and developed a strong interest in foraging, natural remedies, and self-reliant living. A trained Forest Bathing guide and creative facilitator, Katie is deeply committed to helping others restore their equilibrium through time in nature.

Her sessions are intuitive, grounding, and gently transformative—infused with laughter, warmth, and deep respect for the land. Katie also draws on her knowledge of nutrition, homeopathy, and essential oils to support holistic wellbeing and create balance in modern life. Clients appreciate her ability to hold calm, non-judgemental space and make nature connection accessible for all.

✨ Joanna Bristow-Watkins – Holistic Therapist & Spiritual Mentor

Joanna is a passionate advocate for nature reconnection as a portal to inner peace and soul alignment. Raised with access to ancient Surrey woodlands, she brings a lifetime of personal connection to the natural world, complemented by over two decades of experience as a spiritual mentor and energy healing practitioner.

Founder of Harmony Healing (est. 1999), Joanna developed the Reyad Sekh Em® Egyptian Alchemy Healing system, combining sacred breathwork, vibrational sound, angelic frequencies, and earth wisdom. She offers themed Forest Bathing sessions that integrate these teachings—blending scientific insight with ancient traditions to help others realign with their authentic selves.

Known for her insightful guidance, intuitive depth, and gentle presence, Joanna holds a uniquely sacred container where participants feel seen, supported, and spiritually nourished.

✨ Julli Dunman – Forest Bathing Guide & Mindfulness Teacher

Julli brings a wealth of heart-centred expertise from over 30 years in the travel industry, where she specialised in creating bespoke healing retreats and unforgettable experiences. A qualified mindfulness and meditation teacher, and a certified Forest Bathing guide with TFBI, she offers deeply grounding sessions that help people pause, reset, and rediscover joy in simplicity.

Whether guiding private individuals or corporate groups, Julli fosters a calm and compassionate space where participants feel truly cared for. She encourages them to “dust off” life’s pressures and connect to the present moment—often sparking emotional release, deep insights, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.

A lifelong lover of cultural diversity and human connection, Julli’s intuitive approach combines lived experience with soulful presence. She believes nature is the perfect mirror, helping us remember who we are when the world becomes too loud.

🌍 Learn more about Julli’s work at www.mindfulnessinnature.co.uk

🎧 Hear from Us

🎙 Listen: Our Forest Bathing podcast interview with Brooklands Radio shares insights into the practice and its many benefits.

🎥 Watch: Participant reflections and nature-based conversations are available on our Facebook video page.

📬 Stay Connected: Receive our monthly seasonal summaries, including lunar cycles, Celtic festivals, and Harmony in Nature news, direct to your inbox.
👉 Click here to join our mailing list

🎥 Watch & Explore More

🌲 Forest Bathing & Nature Connection Video
Explore the diverse wellbeing benefits of Forest Bathing and hear about our experiences with green social prescribing and business events on Nadège’s YouTube Channel:

🌐 The Silver Tent TV: Wood Wide Web Discussion
The Silver Tent is a global online community for women aged 50+, encouraging deep sharing, connection and collaboration.
If you meet the criteria, request to join via the Silver Tent Facebook Group Page. Joanna is a long-standing member and has shared insights into Forest Bathing, sacred nature, and spiritual mentoring within this inspiring sisterhood.
Our YouTube discussion delves into the fascinating concept of the Wood Wide Web—how trees communicate underground, what science tells us, and how this inspires our Forest Bathing practice.

 

🌟 Book Your Place

🛒 Browse upcoming sessions in the Harmony Shop
📩 Enquiries for private bookings:  

We look forward to welcoming you beneath the trees 🌳✨

🌿 Reconnect with Nature in the Surrey Hills

Saturday 21st March marks the International Day of Forests, established by the United Nations to honour the profound importance of the world’s woodlands. This year’s theme, Forests and Innovation, invites us to reflect not only on environmental stewardship, but on the creative and restorative intelligence held within the living forest.

Forests shelter over 60,000 species of trees and sustain around 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. Yet approximately 10 million hectares are lost globally each year. As woodland disappears, so too does humanity’s intimate relationship with the natural world.

Ancient cultures revered the forest as teacher, healer and sanctuary. Modern science is now affirming what our ancestors instinctively understood: time spent amongst trees measurably supports both physiological and psychological wellbeing.

Trees emit phytoncides — natural aromatic compounds that calm the nervous system, support immune function and encourage restoration. When we consciously immerse ourselves in woodland presence, we begin to recalibrate.

🍃 What Is Forest Bathing?

Originating in Japan as Shinrin Yoku during the 1980s, Forest Bathing is a gentle, guided practice of sensory immersion in nature. It is not a hike, nor a fitness pursuit, but a slow and mindful attunement to place.

Sessions weave together:

• Guided sensory awareness

• Gentle movement

• Moments of stillness

• Breathwork and reflection

• Deep listening to the land

Research demonstrates that regular practice may:

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Lower blood pressure

• Support cardiovascular and metabolic health

• Strengthen immune resilience

• Enhance clarity, focus and memory

• Elevate mood and energy

• Support pain reduction and overall vitality

In essence, it restores balance to body and spirit.

🌲 Join Us in the Surrey Hills

Surrey is blessed with woodland covering roughly a quarter of its landscape, offering an exceptional setting for deep nature connection. Our public sessions are held in ancient and semi-ancient woodland, including our regular venue near Shere at the Harry Edwards Foundation.

🌿 We held an event today to celebrate International Day of Forests. Our Next Forest Bathing Experience is:

📅 Sunday, 26th April, 11am-2pm
📍 Harry Edwards Foundation, Shere
🔗 Reserve your place here.🌳

You are warmly invited to step beneath the canopy and rediscover your natural rhythm.

🌼 Stay Connected

To receive updates about upcoming monthly sessions, seasonal immersions and special events, join our Harmony in Nature mailing list.

If you facilitate a local group, workplace wellbeing programme or community network and would value a talk on the science and soul of Forest Bathing, presentations are available both in person and online.

✨ Beyond the Woodland

Our wider work through Harmony Healing offers complementary pathways for inner alignment, including Full Moon Guided Healing Meditations, recorded meditative journeys, distant readings and energy healing sessions.

As the light lengthens and spring quietly awakens, there is no more fitting time to step into the forest.

Breathe deeply.
Slow down.
Allow the land to hold you.

🌿 Join us and experience how the forest restores balance — gently, naturally and profoundly. 🌿

This year, Philippa Bassett trained to become a Forest Bathing+ Guide like Joanna. Her blog outlines the approach and appeal of Forest Bathing+ and her motivation for taking it up. Reproduced with her permission, here is her take on the delights of Shinrin-Yoku.

This time last year, if you had asked me what my plans were for future courses, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have mentioned training to become a Forest Bathing+ Guide!

However, after a year working with The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI), I have learned so much about the science behind the benefits of practising Shinrin-Yoku (the Japanese term) for Forest Bathing+, that I am now on my journey to becoming a fully-fledged TFBI Forest Bathing+ Guide myself!

Forest Bathing+ is essentially spending time relaxing under the canopy of trees, the health giving benefits of which have been scientifically evidenced over the last 40 years, particularly in Japan. Here, forest bathing is regularly prescribed by their NHS system as a preventative healthcare measure for mental health and general physical well-being.

Forest Bathing is also prevalent in South Korea, where overnight retreats and specific ‘trails of healing’ help stressed out executives’ re-charge from their daily life under the health-giving canopy of an accredited woodland environment.

But this is not new to me. At some level, I feel that I am returning to my roots with Forest Bathing+. Having grown up by the sea in a rural part of South Wales, I spent a lot of time in the woods at the back of my grandparents’ house, where we used to walk under the woodland canopy to the local beaches. Climbing and playing in trees formed a large part of my childhood, and this connection has been re-kindled by attending Forest Bathing+ events. The feeling of calmness and relaxation following several hours of mindfulness in the forest is a great benefit to one’s general health and well-being.

The catalyst for deciding to become a Forest Bathing+ Guide was attending the Mindfulness and Meditation Training which took place in mid-March, just before the Covid 19 lockdown. Due to the self-isolation restrictions, the theory behind Forest Bathing+ was conducted online, which gave me more time to focus on the benefits. During the course, I was really surprised to learn so many interesting facts about the science of ancient forests, their chemical structure, the wood wide web and many more fascinating nuggets of information.

I am very interested in natural healing and healthcare having worked in this area for over 6 years. Learning about the natural healing ability of the forests and woodland reinforced my passion and I now feel committed to attracting more people, of all ages, to experience the wonders of immersive nature therapy and spend quality, mindful time in the beautiful woodlands and ancient forests that are such an integral part of the UK’s natural landscape.

I would thoroughly recommend the Forest Bathing training to anyone who also has a passion for nature, the environment and general health and well-being.

Photo credits: Forest Bathing images showing a track through a Surrey woodland and bluebell woods, taken by Philippa Bassett.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

As many of our Blog readers will know, Joanna Bristow-Watkins from Harmony Healing trained as a Forest Bathing+ Guide with TFBI in 2019. Joanna will be writing a future Blog about Forest Bathing, but when her colleague Philippa published this Blog, she sought permision to use it as her first Guest Blog.

Forest Bathing Sessions bring harmony and balance into your life. Joanna and other qualified TFBI guides are now tentatively offering small group Forest Bathing+ Sessions at Newlands Corner (near Guildford) with additional social distancing and other protocols to minimise COVID risks. 

Harmony Healing utilises the philosophies of the Ancient Egyptians to bring balance and harmony.  It was a key part of ancient Egyptian life to be connected with nature and all of the Deities represented manifestations of nature.  Even our own word 'nature' is likely to be derived from their word 'Neter' generally translated as God.

A number of virtual courses are starting again this month, including Reyad Sekh Em (RSE) Egyptian Alchemy Healing Level 1, which is now fully available as interactive training modules, details on Harmony Healing Virtual Events. 

To receive regular Blog updates (headed with a title detailing the occasion or event so that you can choose whether to open it or not), featuring New and Full Moon, meteor showers, eclipses and other meteorological events, interesting anniversaries, ancient festival dates plus notification of dates of numerological significance, sign up for the Harmony Healing e-newsletters above or at the top of any page of this Harmony Healing website. The nature of the Blog means that whenever there are several key dates in close succession, there will be frequent mailings. The sender e-mail address is (and the sender will show as Joanna Bristow-Watkins @ Harmony Healing). You may need to add this email to your safe list and check your junk filter initially.

Last weekend was the Equinox, so at last, Spring is in the air and we can feel optimistic about the summer.

Things have been very hectic for me having embraced a transition to Zoom virtual format shortly after lockdown a year ago.

Since last March, there have been continuous enrolments for my RSE (Reyad Sekh Em©) Egyptian Alchemy healing training courses. Especially the Introductory Level although 10 have gone onto become qualified RSE Practitioners and are working towards advanced practitioner training. I couldn't be happier on that front, after almost 23 years in the healing fraternity, the most amazing community of healers and trainee healers has emerged. I dreamt of this but to have it materialise is fantastic.  And the talent amongst them is incredible; if you are looking to develop latent (or extend existing) healing skills, do join us.  Here's two of the recently qualified super capable practitioners telling their stories on You Tube: Benjamin (a hairdresser, aged 21, unable to work during lockdown) and Agata (a practising NHS physiotherapist) tell their stories (less than 15 mins in total). 

Most important is the desire to run an active team of lightworkers and make a difference in the world, especially considering the desperate global environment.  If you are familiar with the work of David Hawkins and Owen Waters, you will know that working on your own spiritual consciousness is one of the most productive steps we can make as individuals regarding improving global wellbeing. See my short YouTube presentation for more on this. 

Monthly Full Moon Meditation 

We hold monthly Full Moon Virtual Guided Meditations, the next ones are Sunday 28th March, Monday 26th April & Wednesday 26th May. Other dates are listed on the Harmony Healing website until the end of the year.  These cost £22 via PayPal (£20 if paid via BACS bank transfer) and act as a great low investment introduction to my work. 

New Moon New Vision: lunar cycle connection programme

Very soon, Monday 12th April - Tuesday 11th May, we have our coveted New Moon New Vision; lunar cycle alignment programme re-starting, cost is £155 (+ £7.50 admin fee if paid via PayPal). This was run earlier in the year featuring daily angelic affirmations, weekly meditations and several distant attunements to enhance your energetic connection to the sun, moon, earth, planets and stars plus the current Western and Chinese zodiacs. We simultaneously learn, though 10+ hours of virtual Zoom mentoring, to work with the energies of the moon cycle and each person creates a Vision Board for 2021 & beyond. Multiple participants found it a 'life changing for the better'. More at Harmony Healing Website and a YouTube informational video (about 15 mins) with feedback from three of the group members and here's what another had to say as the last course reached the final week: 

"As we're almost at the end of the course, but still the beginning of a journey, I thought I'd share a few of the things that have changed for me during this moon cycle.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 

I have more space within... I can literally feel it - possibly as a result of the Soul Star and Earth Star Chakras attunement, and also because of the releasing that has been happening over the last 2 weeks.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 

I have recovered a routine which brings about a more productive day.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
My brain has tuned into the fact that I need to lose weight... I've let go of snacking, I'm having beautiful detox baths and have done the oil pulling. I am doing daily dance exercises.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am meditating more and got back on track with daily self-Reiki.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I'm seeing the bigger picture.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am generally more focused.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Such positive stuff for everyday living! ♥"⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Yvonne Oaks, Light From Within, London, 10th Feb 2021🎈 

Forest Bathing+ Sessions in leafy Surrey

Earlier this week, Monday 21st March was International Day of Forests and I'm delighted to announce that we will be able to offer Forest Bathing+ sessions in Surrey again, starting on 17th April at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary (Shere) and 22nd April at Newlands Corner (near Guildford).See event dates listed up to July on the Harmony Website, please do join us for one or more of these enjoyable and therapeutic experiences.

I will also offer another series of RSE (Reyad Sekh Em©) Egyptian Alchemy healing training courses over the summer. Our current course finished yesterday (25th March), so I will wait and see whether they want to progress immediately onto RSE 2 Practitioner which will mean a delay before the next introductory series.

So that's a summary of what we are offering for the next 3-4 months, if you aren't already and feel inspired to join our active Lightworker Community, think about joining one of the activities above or sign up for the Celestial Forecast Blog email updates.  Subscribers receive reminders of the New Moon, Full Moon, Meteor showers, dates of numerological significance (three '555' dates coming up in May, one of which is included in the New Moon New Vision Course), Pagan, Egyptian, Roman and other religious festivals as well as international celebrations.

Whatever you do, have a happy spring & summer.

If you would like to experience one of our spiritual offerings (meditation, reading, 1:1 healing, a Forest Bathing+ session or a full mentoring course), why not ask for a Harmony Healing gift voucherfor a birthday or other celebratory occasion? 

A number of virtual courses are now ready, details on Harmony Healing Virtual Events. Currently, due to Coronavirus, most events will be virtual hence distant readings and healings are proving popular. We don't recommend giving a reading or healing to another person, without first checking whether it would be welcomed.

Joanna offers distant intuitive readings (past life and/or aura readings) and distant 1-2-1 healings and virtual healing circles. We also have meditations available.

To receive regular Blog updates (headed with a title detailing the occasion or event so that you can choose whether to open it or not), featuring New and Full Moon, meteor showers, eclipses and other meteorological events, interesting anniversaries, ancient festival dates plus notification of dates of numerological significance, sign up for the Harmony Healing e-newsletters above or at the top of any page of this Harmony Healing website. The nature of the Blog means that whenever there are several key dates in close succession, there will be frequent mailings. The sender e-mail address is (and the sender will show as Joanna Bristow-Watkins @ Harmony Healing). You may need to add this email to your safe list and check your junk filter initially.