Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi's walks have been recommended by The New York Times and listed as one of the top five travel experiences in the world by Forbes.

How is the experience?

Enter the virtual meeting room hosted by your forest therapy guide on the Zoom video conferencing app and you’ll know immediately that you are in a space like no other.

In real life, you are in a safe, familiar outdoor space (perhaps even your backyard) or inside your home (preferably with some view of the natural world).

Your guide will be on a trail, at a stream, under some trees, or at an urban green space in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. She will invite you to tune into your senses, to slow down, to give your attention to the elements of the more-than-human world around you, then to share those noticings, if you choose, with others in the online circle.

You realize, as we come to a close around the tea ceremony prepared by the guide, that your mind has quieted and that you can hear the sound of your heart.

Images of the actual walk

Who is the host?

Aloha, I’m Phyllis Look, the founder of Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi’s first certified forest therapy guide.  I received my training and certification from the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs and have now guided more than 180 walks. I am also certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA), as well as a Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant.

I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘I and my family has lived in the same valley in which I now guide for more than 60 years. The early part of my career was spent in the professional theatre on the US mainland; later, back on O‘ahu, in marketing and communications. But I've always loved the outdoors. An avid hiker, I belong to the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club and have trekked in the Grand Canyon and in Provence, France. I also practice Iyengar Yoga.

What are people saying?

As our world transitions through this time of dis-ease and isolation, this is a restorative practice that not only helps us connect to nature, but to each other. It was such a joy to see the lush, green tropical landscape of Hawaii through my virtual walk with Phyllis, and also share with others across the country. I loved hearing what they were noticing about their own yards, things that went unnoticed until they slowed down and took the time to explore in this sensory activity. While this walk took place virtually, I was able to connect to my own land, the birds, animals, and awaken my senses to appreciate the familiar in a brand new way. Thank you, Phyllis, for sharing your gift with the world. It is needed now, more than ever.
Kelly, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Phyllis Look is a treasure! She guided us through a virtual Forest bathing walk this morning that helped us notice the wisdom of Nature and its many gifts. Although I was not physically there in the woods, the experience nonetheless transported me to a slower, meditative state where I could observe my multi-sensory surroundings and imagine the story of my found object from Nature, opening up to its deeper meaning for me. I highly recommend Forest Bathing and specifically Phyllis Look as your guide. You’ll leave with renewed gratitude for Nature and our interconnection.
Joy, Kīhei, Maui

I am a primary care doctor, also an integrative physician and have heard about shinrin-yoku and seen some of the studies, but never participated in a more formal practice. I was curious at first how it would work to be on a forest walk over Zoom.  I'm so delighted I had the chance to participate.  The birds were chirping and Phyllis was so kind and encouraging of everyone in the group.  My favorite was using my own apartment as my forest to explore, reflect on the natural sources of everything around me (wood table, glass from sand in my cups, etc).  It is a forest walk inside with the loving guidance from an expert in her field. Highly recommend to try this out. Come without expectations and be open to the potential for magic.  Feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Justin, Los Angeles

Drop in to the virtual forest bathing experience with Phyllis and deepen your connection with nature and yourself. She guided us through a series of gentle invitations that helped us tune into our senses and experience not only the beauty of what she was showing us in Hawaii, but of our own surroundings. For one of the invitations, Phyllis asked us to turn our attention to things in our surroundings that were moving. I thought she asked us to imagine that we were those moving things and so that is how I interpreted her invitation. It was a very powerful moving meditation as so many things in my landscape were moving - a trembling leaf, the gently swaying bamboo, the wind making ripples across the pond. It was very calm and centering. Afterward, Phyllis brewed tea with fresh Hawaiian herbs she had gathered. Although I could not be there in person to drink the tea she brewed, it inspired me to pick some of my own herbs (lemon balm and rosemary) and make a small pot of tea to enjoy in my garden. Thank you Phyllis for leading this deeply relaxing and inspiring experience. I look forward to joining again - virtually and in person on my next visit to Honolulu!
Sandra, Atlanta, Georgia

Phyllis offers a gentle exploration of oneself through experiencing the natural world. It felt so safe to be guided past the protective shields we put up to finally feel freedom and peace in these difficult times. I have been on 3 virtual walks and it has helped tremendously.
Carol, Captain Cook, Hawaiʻi

Phyllis is a beautiful soul and wonderful guide! Even in the midst of a global pandemic, she shared the aloha and beauty of Hawaii during a virtual forest bathing journey. It was truly of soul nurturing experience and I left feeling more connected to the land around me. It was profoundly relaxing and I was deeply grateful for the experience and connection in our small group. I highly recommend Forest Bathing Hawaii and I will doing more virtual journeys with Phyllis from my home in the Midwest, but once I'm back on Oahu this will be a must-do in person.
Christine, South Bend, Indiana

I am not sure how I found out about Virtual Forest Bathing, but I am very glad I did. Phyllis brought four of us via Zoom to experience a farm and I felt like I was transported to paradise, even with the coolness of a morning rain. I found Forest Bathing to be an exceptional addition to my meditation and mindfulness practices. It was a big experience, like "meditation on steroids."  I was transported by my guide to a new and different communion with the beauty and alive-ness of Hawaiʻi. I will plan to take a virtual walk again with Phyllis soon, and then again after that.
Catherine, Captain Cook, Hawaiʻi 

Schedule

• Walks are scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays

• All walks are scheduled at 0800 Hawaii Standard Time

• Duration: 1 hour 15 min