In 2018, we established The Forest Bathing Institute which grew out of our passion for researching more into and spreading the type of forest bathing – Forest Bathing+ – that we practice. We are currently working with some of the leading universities in the UK and the USA to measure physiological benefits of Forest Bathing for health and wellbeing.

In Japan, Forest bathing is used in the area of preventative healthcare.  We have run circa one hundred sessions across the UK, and are working with numerous charities, including the RSBP, the Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, National Trust, and Forestry Commission. For some of these charities, we have mapped out a national events program. A proportion of our profits goes to these charities and helps to protect endangered species and habitats.

At our events and during our training courses, we place a huge emphasis on educating people about the environment and ways to protect it. In our training, we go on a journey with each individual, making sure that it is an unforgettable experience, and everyone learns from the process not only to help others, but also to help expand one’s own understanding and sensitivity, deepening one’s connection with nature.

We are working with the media and various business and networking groups to promote understanding and knowledge about forest bathing and nature protection. We have been interviewed on shows including BBC Surrey and BBC World Service, as well as featured in Metro, Woodland Trust magazine, Surrey Wildlife Trust magazine, and many other publications. You can find our adult and kids forest bathing guides on the Forestry Comision Website.

We are currently working with and consulting universities and local authorities on nature connection, forest bathing, and social reform.

We have been researching forest bathing since 2012, and our passion is still growing! The more we explore the intricate nature of the subject matter, the more we see how much it has to offer us and everyone else. In 2018, we have trained our first team of four Forest Bathing+ guides.

Our goal is to gather empirical data with universities and build the case of evidence for Forest Bathing+. Forest bathing is part of the NHS in Japan, and is based on scientific evidence. We aim to replicate the science across the UK to reach the NHS standards in this country.

Gary and Olga are the founders of The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI), and the unique form of forest bathing called Forest Bathing+. They are the Forest Bathing+ course developers and teachers, and Forest Bathing+ guides. They are both qualified yoga teachers, having studied traditional Hatha yoga in India, as well as meditation and mindfulness teachers, meditation and mindfulness course developers and teachers, and sound therapists.

 About Gary

Gary has been studying the ancient wisdom and history of earth for nearly 30 years. His past includes time as a PR agent for world-famous ancient history/wisdom authors. Gary has spent a lot of time researching ancient wisdom, as well as practical applications of ancient wisdom for health and wellbeing. He has led multiple tours to ancient sites across Egypt, Ireland, England, Peru, and other locations around the world. During his research of ancient wisdom, Gary noticed an underlying trend around a reverence towards nature for understanding human nature.  As a result of this, Gary started researching the benefits of nature for self-discovery, as well as health and wellbeing. Eventually, this path led to forest bathing.

Throughout the years of study and practical investigation, Gary has gained immense knowledge in the area of Forest Bathing, especially the physiological benefits of the practice, and other related fields. Part of Gary’s current work involves consulting universities and local authorities on Forest Bathing and nature connection, as well as co-writing studies in the UK. His current study will focus on collecting data on the physiological benefits of Forest Bathing across England. Gary’s passion for helping others, as well as his long-held passion for helping the environment, drives him daily to spread the knowledge and practice of forest bathing.

His research and expertise have led to the creation of The Forest Bathing Institute – a constantly growing and evolving research and events organisation, aimed at spreading Forest Bathing further. Forest Bathing+ has the potential to help across the entire spectrum of life, from local communities all the way down to the smallest microbe in the forest. In Gary’s opinion, the untapped potential of Forest Bathing+ makes it easy to call it his life’s work and stick to the path ahead until great numbers of people can benefit from this practice.

About Olga

Olga has been drawn to nature since she was a young girl. Having grown up in Moscow, Russia, she used to spend her summer holidays in a rural house in the countryside with her grandparents where she was very connected to nature. She noticed that nature had a positive effect on her health and well-being, though she was not sure why at the time.

Once Olga moved to England in 2008, she was studying in Kent for a few years before moving to central London. Olga started noticing that her health has started declining, and she didn’t know why. At that point, she was studying a BA degree in Philosophy at King’s College London, driven by a deep interest in philosophy and ancient schools of thought. Olga met Gary in 2014 and realised how much her health and wellbeing had suffered from being disconnected from nature.

Seeing a dramatic recovery from increased exposure to nature, Olga passionately researched the subject of nature and health. This research led to her learning various healing modalities, and eventually to leading Forest Bathing+ sessions and teaching Forest Bathing+ courses. Olga is eternally grateful to nature for her recovery, and her wish is to spread this knowledge to help others, as well as protect these precious environments worldwide.

Olga plans to spread Forest Bathing+ to Russia and other countries in the nearest future.

You can learn more about Forest Bathing+ here;

about Forest Bathing+ Training here;

about our public Forest Bathing+ Walks here;

about our public Forest Bathing+ Walks schedule here;

about our private Forest Bathing+ Walks here.