Experience Nature through Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) with Chris Newton, Certified Forest Therapy Guide

Thursday February 22nd, 2024 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Join us for a magical evening in which we explore the 5 senses through the practice of Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku. Certified Forest Therapy Guide Chris Newton will guide us through the history and health benefits of forest bathing, introduce sounds and smells associated with the forest, and share a tea ceremony with a special pine needle tea.

About Forest Therapy:

Forest Therapy originating in Japan, where it is called Shinrin-Yoku, is a practice, whose practitioners believe spending time immersed in nature is beneficial to our physical, mental and spiritual health. Forest Therapy has the general goal of increasing the well-being of participants through guided immersive experiences in forest and other natural settings such as Red Butte Gardens. Studies have found that forest bathing has positive physiological effects, such as blood pressure reduction, improvement of autonomic and immune functions, as well as psychological effects of alleviating depression and improving mental health.

About Chris Newton:

Chris Newton's appreciation and curiosity for nature brought him to Utah from Michigan twenty years ago when he accepted a ski job at Alta, Utah. The natural beauty of Utah and his love of skiing and outdoor recreation have kept him here. In 2007 Chris earned his master's degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Utah. He has worked full-time in the industry as a partnership developer in the field since and also began guiding part-time. This is where Chris developed a genuine interest in helping his clients build deeper and healing connections with the natural world through immersive experiences in forests and other natural settings.

Chris is a certified forest bathing guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs and also has certified in Wilderness First Aid training. Chris is easy-going yet focused and his training includes special knowledge in guiding people of all ages and all seasons in Shinrin-Yoku, "Forest Bathing" walks and knowledge demonstrating the benefits of spending time in nature as a wellness practice and an effective way to manage stress and build a healthy life balance.

Inspired by the fields of deep ecology and holistic health, Chris hopes to guide people to find their own connections to nature because when people are connected to nature the benefits are not confined to humans but work for the health and well-being of the entire biosphere.