AT ONE WITH NATURE
At Forest Therapy Africa we promote the development of forest and nature therapy techniques in Africa through retreats, training and healing forest certification.
We have our origins in the indigenous mist-belt forests of Dargle in the Kwazulu Natal Midlands of South Africa. Our work is inspired by both traditional wisdom, and Japanese Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) which enables us to be at one with the healing power of nature – body, mind and soul.
What is Forest bathing?
Spending time in nature is not new to us, but engaging in nature with mindfulness and intent, to improve our health and wellbeing is now proven to be a healing therapy.
The Japanese call this Shinrin Yoku – literally ‘forest bathing’. Research has proven that time spent forest bathing lowers blood pressure and stress, boosts your immune system, counters depression and anxiety and helps restore balance in body and mind.
Forest bathing takes the form of a structured, slow walk in the forest. The ideal healing forest has good quality air, minimal man-made noise, diverse microbial life and chemicals excreted by trees that boost our health.
The forest therapy guide shows you how to use all your senses to connect with the environment and tune into the healing power of nature.
RETREATS
We offer regular retreats in the indigenous Kilgobbin Forest at Crab Apple Cottages in Dargle- KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Africa.
Select retreats are held in collaboration with Biomimicry South Africa as part of their regenerative health program.
For more information on upcoming Retreats contact us
JOIN US
FOREST CERTIFICATION
In selecting forest in which to facilitate forest bathing and forest therapy techniques, there are key indicators that help us determine if the forest is ideal.
We have developed a uniquely African certification process to identify and protect indigenous healing forests across the continent in collaboration with local specialist environmental engineering company GroundTruth. To find out more, or have your forest assessed – connect with us.
What we look for in a healing forest?
FOUNDERS
Forest Therapy Africa is a passion project envisioned and developed by
Orlando Vincent Truter is creative director and curator who designs healing environments and visitor experiences ranging from children’s hospitals to educational playgrounds with a focus on biophilic and nature informed design thinking and principles. Vincent also works as a shiatsu practitioner
Orlando Vincent Truter is creative director and curator who designs healing environments and visitor experiences ranging from children’s hospitals to educational playgrounds with a focus on biophilic and nature informed design thinking and principles.
Vincent also works as a shiatsu practitioner and a Japanese forest bathing facilitator. He has trained in energetic healing and shiatsu with the legendary shiatsu master Kimura sensei in Hachioji Japan.
Vincent is a forest bathing facilitator, passionate about expanding the understanding and practice of forest therapy techniques.
Barend & Helen Booysen, along with their three young daughters, took on the adventure of transitioning from City life to Country life back in 1987. Prompted by their love of nature they haves pent the past three and a half decades lovingly nurturing the Crab Apple property
Barend & Helen Booysen, along with their three young daughters, took on the adventure of transitioning from City life to Country life back in 1987. Prompted by their love of nature they haves pent the past three and a half decades lovingly nurturing the Crab Apple property into the healing retreat space it is today.Through their custodianship of the Kilgobben forest they have experienced the life giving benefit of being closely connected to the natural environment. Determined to preserve the natural beauty of the Dargle area, Barend and Helen are active members of the Dargle Conservancy and their property is a Nature Reserve under the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme.
Barend’s passion for the environment was evident from an early age. Although his formal training and career path were in the field of Engineering, his enduring love of creation found expression discovering the wonders of the Ancient mist-belt forest of Kilgobbin and inspires his role as Environmental Consultant.
Helen has an inherent love for people and animals and is a gifted healer. Medically trained she spent a significant part of her working career running an ICU. Wife, Mother and Grandparent, we catch a glimpse into some of the aspects of this truly beautiful person in the acronym, fades… faith, attitude, exercise, diet and sleep. Helen majors in relationships.
Dr Mark Graham is an ecologist and the director of Groundtruth – A multidisciplinary consulting company with a specialist focus on matters surrounding water resources, biodiversity and environmental engineering. Mark has over 30 years’ experience in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
Dr Mark Graham is an ecologist and the director of Groundtruth – A multidisciplinary consulting company with a specialist focus on matters surrounding water resources, biodiversity and environmental engineering. Mark has over 30 years’ experience in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem and is actively involved in leading water resources research.
He is a registered professional natural scientist (Pr Sci Nat), a Fellow of the Water Institute of SA (FWISA), an Honorary Research Associate with Centre for Water Resources Research (University of KwaZulu Natal).He is also a member of the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Network onEducation for Sustainable Development. He is a provincial SASS5 quality assurance auditor appointed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Mark plays an active role in promoting and developing citizen science within the water sector of South Africa, with an aim to empowering and educating the public to collectively improve the state of our water resources.
er and a Japanese forest bathing facilitator. He has trained in energetic healing and shiatsu with the legendary shiatsu master Kimura sensei in Hachioji Japan.
Vincent is a forest bathing facilitator, passionate about expanding the understanding and practice of forest therapy techniques.
Claire Janisch is the founding Director of BiomimicrySA. As a Certified Biomimicry Professional, Claire spends her time exploring nature’s genius in diverse ecosystems and shares this new way of viewing and valuing nature through biomimicry expeditions and coaching
Claire Janisch is the founding Director of BiomimicrySA. As a Certified Biomimicry Professional, Claire spends her time exploring nature’s genius in diverse ecosystems and shares this new way of viewing and valuing nature through biomimicry expeditions and coaching – teaching & training professionals, students and scholars.
She also dives deeper into research for companies and organisations – translating nature’s innovation and sustainability principles for the design of new products, processes & systems.
Claire has a MSc Chem-Engineering in Industrial Ecology and is both a graduate of and has been a lead trainer for the Biomimicry Professional Certificate Program offered by Biomimicry 3.8. Claire was selected in the Mail & Guardian’s 200 young South Africans in 2009, 2010 & 2011 and was a finalist in the Most Influential Women in Business & Government awards in 2012.
John Roff is a leading nature guide and Forest Bathing facilitator who tunes you into the healing power of nature – body, mind and soul. John facilitates Forest Bathing and transformational nature experiences for people, in a range of wild and natural places primarily in the KwaZulu-Natal
John Roff is a leading nature guide and Forest Bathing facilitator who tunes you into the healing power of nature – body, mind and soul.
John facilitates Forest Bathing and transformational nature experiences for people, in a range of wild and natural places, primarily in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
“The walks and retreats I lead are designed to be an opportunity for people to connect deeply with nature, themselves and the divine. I hope that people I guide will experience restoration, fulfilment and peace”
Orlando Vincent Truter is creative director and curator who designs healing environments and visitor experiences ranging from children’s hospitals to educational playgrounds with a focus on biophilic and nature informed design thinking and principles.
Vincent also works as a shiatsu practitioner and a Japanese forest bathing facilitator. He has trained in energetic healing and shiatsu with the legendary shiatsu master Kimura sensei in Hachioji Japan.
Vincent is a forest bathing facilitator, passionate about expanding the understanding and practice of forest therapy techniques.
Barend & Helen Booysen, along with their three young daughters, took on the adventure of transitioning from City life to Country life back in 1987. Prompted by their love of nature they haves pent the past three and a half decades lovingly nurturing the Crab Apple property into the healing retreat space it is today.Through their custodianship of the Kilgobben forest they have experienced the life giving benefit of being closely connected to the natural environment. Determined to preserve the natural beauty of the Dargle area, Barend and Helen are active members of the Dargle Conservancy and their property is a Nature Reserve under the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme.
Barend’s passion for the environment was evident from an early age. Although his formal training and career path were in the field of Engineering, his enduring love of creation found expression discovering the wonders of the Ancient mist-belt forest of Kilgobbin and inspires his role as Environmental Consultant.
Helen has an inherent love for people and animals and is a gifted healer. Medically trained she spent a significant part of her working career running an ICU. Wife, Mother and Grandparent, we catch a glimpse into some of the aspects of this truly beautiful person in the acronym, fades… faith, attitude, exercise, diet and sleep. Helen majors in relationships.
Dr Mark Graham is an ecologist and the director of Groundtruth – A multidisciplinary consulting company with a specialist focus on matters surrounding water resources, biodiversity and environmental engineering. Mark has over 30 years’ experience in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem and is actively involved in leading water resources research.
He is a registered professional natural scientist (Pr Sci Nat), a Fellow of the Water Institute of SA (FWISA), an Honorary Research Associate with Centre for Water Resources Research (University of KwaZulu Natal).He is also a member of the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Network onEducation for Sustainable Development. He is a provincial SASS5 quality assurance auditor appointed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Mark plays an active role in promoting and developing citizen science within the water sector of South Africa, with an aim to empowering and educating the public to collectively improve the state of our water resources.
Claire Janisch is the founding Director of BiomimicrySA. As a Certified Biomimicry Professional, Claire spends her time exploring nature’s genius in diverse ecosystems and shares this new way of viewing and valuing nature through biomimicry expeditions and coaching – teaching & training professionals, students and scholars.
She also dives deeper into research for companies and organisations – translating nature’s innovation and sustainability principles for the design of new products, processes & systems.
Claire has a MSc Chem-Engineering in Industrial Ecology and is both a graduate of and has been a lead trainer for the Biomimicry Professional Certificate Program offered by Biomimicry 3.8. Claire was selected in the Mail & Guardian’s 200 young South Africans in 2009, 2010 & 2011 and was a finalist in the Most Influential Women in Business & Government awards in 2012.
