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 🌳✨

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.

Theme: Take Action

In a world where awareness is growing, this year’s message reminds us that awareness alone is not always enough. Sometimes the most powerful shifts happen when we take even the smallest action.

Action might look like:

💚 Reaching out to a friend
💚 Asking for support when you need it
💚 Stepping away from screens and into nature
💚 Making time to rest, reflect, or simply breathe
💚 Choosing practices that nourish mind, body, and spirit

Every action counts. Small daily choices can create lasting changes in our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

And sometimes one of the most healing actions we can take... is reconnecting with nature.

🍃 Nature Connection: A Natural Mood-Booster

The word natural says it all – we are designed to be in relationship with the living world.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained, try something simple:

🌲 Take a mindful stroll through woodland
🌼 Sit beneath a tree in your local park
🌬️ Pause and breathe deeply in a green open space

Scientific studies increasingly confirm what our ancestors instinctively understood—mindful time in nature can improve mood, reduce anxiety, support nervous system regulation, and promote overall wellbeing.

🌳 What Is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) is the Japanese practice of immersing yourself in the woodland environment through slow, sensory awareness.

It’s not about exercise or hiking.
It’s about being, not doing.

Benefits may include:

✨ Reduced stress and rumination
✨ Lower blood pressure and healthier blood sugar regulation
✨ Improved immune function
✨ Greater feelings of calm, connection, and emotional resilience

Research led by the The Forest Bathing Institute continues to highlight measurable physical and emotional benefits from mindful nature immersion.

💚 Take Action Through Healing & Connection

Mental wellbeing doesn’t always come from doing more—sometimes it comes from finding the right people, the right space, and the right support.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Joanna is also opening the doors for a very special day of healing, learning, and meaningful connection.

🔮 Harmony Healing Networking & Healing Day

🗓️ Saturday 16th May 2026
🕚 11am–7pm
📍 Walton-on-Thames

This nurturing day is designed for healers, students, and anyone drawn to holistic wellbeing.  Join for all, or part, of the day.

Expect:

✨ Opportunities to give and receive healing
✨ Practitioner development and peer support
✨ Time to connect with like-minded souls
✨ A chance to deepen your confidence, skills, and spiritual awareness
✨ Gentle social time, shared learning, and nourishing conversation

Whether you are an experienced practitioner or simply curious about holistic healing, this is a beautiful opportunity to step into a supportive community.

Sometimes taking action begins by saying yes to connection.

Book via the Harmony Shop.

🌸 Join Us for Forest Bathing

During Mental Health Awareness Week, why not take action for your wellbeing and join us in nature?

🗓️ Sunday 17th May 2026 | 11am–2pm
📍 Harry Edwards Foundation
💷 £39.77 per person

Expect peaceful woodland, sensory invitations, gentle mindfulness practices, and perhaps even the final whispers of the bluebells.

Reconnect with the healing rhythm of the trees... and with yourself.

Book via the Harmony Shop.

🧘‍♂️ Also Supporting Local Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing can be supported in many ways—through nature, community, movement, breath, stillness, and sound.

As part of this month’s wellbeing focus, Joanna would also like to highlight a beautiful local offering from trusted friends in the wellness community:

Yin Yoga & Gong Bath with Gary Evans – R & R Wellbeing

🗓️ Wednesday 27th May 2026
📍 Clandon Wood Nature Reserve (near Guildford)

Unwind in the peaceful surroundings of nature with an evening of gentle Yin Yoga, followed by a deeply restorative Gong & Sound Bath featuring gong and singing bowls.

🧘 Yin Yoga: 6:30–7:20pm
🔔 Gong Bath: 7:30–8:30pm
🍵 Includes herbal tea
💷 From £25

No previous experience is needed—simply come as you are. Open to all, with a warm and inclusive approach.

A beautiful complement to this month’s themes of slowing down, reconnecting, and taking meaningful action for your wellbeing.
Book via Eventbrite

🌕 Tune Into the Moon

Also coming up this month:

Hawthorn Blue Micro Full Moon Meditation

🗓️ Sunday 31st May 2026 | 7:30–9:30pm (UK time)
💷 £20

Joanna will guide you through a deeply restorative online group meditation featuring:

💎 Etheric crystal healing
🌈 Colour frequency work
🌀 11-chakra balancing
🌍 Unity consciousness healing

A beautiful opportunity to restore inner balance and spiritual clarity.

Book via the Harmony Shop.

🧬 Deepen Your Healing Journey

Through Harmony Healing, Joanna offers spiritual development and holistic training rooted in ancient wisdom, including:

🔮 Reyad Sekh Em® Level 1 (RSE 1)
A four-module certified programme including:

✨ Khemitology
🔥 Violet Flame of Amenti
🌀 Chakra Alignment
👼 Essene Angelology

💷 £333 full programme
(Individual modules £88–£111)

All sessions are recorded, so you can begin whenever the timing feels right.
More details at the Harmony Shop.

🎁 Other Offerings

✨ Forest Bathing experiences
✨ MP3 guided meditations
✨ Distant healing & intuitive readings
✨ Gift vouchers for loved ones

Because sometimes the most meaningful gift... is peace.

📬 Stay in the Celestial Loop

Receive Joanna’s free monthly Celestial Forecast, including:

🌑 New & Full Moon insights
🌠 Meteor showers & eclipses
📅 Ancient festivals & sacred dates

Simply subscribe via Harmony Healing and add to your safe sender list.

💚 This Mental Health Awareness Week...

Take one small action.

Walk among trees.
Reach out to someone.
Sit in stillness.
Join a healing circle.
Breathe a little deeper.

Because healing rarely happens all at once—
it happens one conscious step at a time.