Forest Bathing and Meditation in the Gardens

** During dog days, please do not bring your dog to forest bathing or meditation.**

Each program begins at 10AM and ends at 11:30AM. This program is for ages 18 and up, pre-registration is required. Please register by 12pm the Wednesday before the program.

August 23- Forest Bathing

September 27- Meditation in the Gardens

October 18- Forest Bathing 

November 22- Meditation in the Gardens

December 27- Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)

Unlike hiking, or a nature walk, forest bathing is a mindful practice that invites you to immerse your senses in a natural environment. Additionally, forest bathing enhances our environment sensitivity, cultivates a stronger relationship with nature, deepens our interconnected awareness with the Earth and the natural world around us.

Meditation in the Garden 

Explore different meditation styles enriched by the natural environment at Smith-Gilbert Gardens. Create your personal inner experience in a garden setting, while receiving the proven holistic health benefits of meditation and Mother Nature. Let Nature teach you how to navigate your inner landscape and your whole life with greater awareness, presence and appreciation. We will do this through walking, sitting or being still in the gardens.

Jeanie Ward is a Forest Bathing and Meditation Facilitator. In addition to being a nature/animal lover, avid forest bather, and woodlands wanderer, Jeanie has 35+ years of professional counseling/life coaching experience. 

She is an inspirational speaker and health & wellness advocate/consultant, and 22-year breast cancer “thriver.” 

While believing that “nature is the best medicine,” she reminds us that we must choose to be an “active” participant if we desire abundant health, and a purposeful, fulfilling life. 

Her motto is, “start where you are, do your best, and be gentle with yourself!”