Yakona – Forest Therapy
with Jaime Lee Hart
Tuesday, September 22 | 10am-12pm
Adults & Youth 12+ (with an adult)
at Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center
Forest therapy originated with the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing,” developed in the 1980s to promote physical and mental health. In essence, forest therapy broadly means taking in, through all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Specifically, it is focused on slowing down and appreciating all aspects of the environment. As we gather in nature for this class, our Forest Therapy certified instructor, Jaime Lee Hart, will be your guide, offering structured invitations to immerse yourself more deeply in your senses. However, the experience isn’t prescriptive and tends to be extremely individual. As a result, people report feeling relaxed and more connected to themselves, nature, each other, and their creativity.
All class materials will be provided. Please bring a hat, layers, comfortable shoes, snacks, and water. Please note: There IS a bathroom and shelter at the preserve, but there is no running water, garbage collection, or electricity.
To help ensure an enjoyable experience for all, we kindly encourage guests to attend fragrance-free in support of those with allergies and sensitivities.
About Yakona:
Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center was created to restore native coastal forest on Oregon’s Yaquina Bay. Located in South Beach, Oregon, it is a living laboratory that serves to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural ecosystems and cultural history of Oregon’s central coast spruce habitat and its wildlife through the arts, education, and stewardship. Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center was created to restore native coastal forest on Oregon’s Yaquina Bay.
About the instructor:
Jaime Lee Hart uses live theatre performance, dance, song, documentary theater, puppets, comedy, forest therapy and video to engage audiences and inspire action around social and environmental responsibility, early childhood milestones and challenges, and spaceship earth perspective for families and children. Jaime has 30 years of experience teaching and creating with children and adults with disabilities. She has taught team-building and group dynamics using the experiential learning cycle. Her philosophy is rooted in compassion, honesty, humor and improvisation.