657 Wellness Naturally: More Than A Walk in the Woods
Class | Registration opens 8/4/2025 12:00 AM
Do you enjoy the aromas of the woods? Do you feel awe at the sight of a beautiful natural vista? Do you experience a sense of calm when you hear the sound of songbirds in the early morning? If so, you might be supporting your personal health and wellness through nature’s abundance.
This course will explore the many wellness benefits available to you by spending time in a natural environment. Each week we will focus on a new theme and explore some of these topics and content:
- Overview of nature-based wellness (history, green exercise, forest bathing, benefits, nuts and bolts of procedures for upcoming classes)
- Forest medicine research and research findings (Japanese studies and findings)
- Taking in the forest atmosphere - noticing the forest (exploration of using the senses in nature and the connection to wellness)
- A personal nature-based practice (strategies for developing your own practice)
- Reciprocity practice (advancing your practice and supporting the wellness of the environment)
- Rambling on (new research, thoughts and practices)
- This course meets on Mondays: 8/25, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22 and 9/29. There is NO MEETING ON 9/1.
Other expectations: Email access. Participants must have a willingness to participate in experiential learning activities outdoors. The course will offer a combination of lecture, discussion and experiential learning. Each meeting will likely include both indoor and outdoor components, so dress casually and comfortably (in layers) for time spent in both environments.
Required texts/materials: Participants should select one resource from the following list to read and utilize in class discussions during the course. Used editions are welcome.
Li, Qing. Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness (2018)
Miyazaki, Yoshifumi. Shinrin Yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing (2018)
Selhub, Eva M., MD and Alan C. Logan, ND. Your Brain on Nature: The Science of Nature’s Influence on Your Health, Happiness, and Vitality (2014)
Williams, Florence. The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative (2018)
Suzann Schiemer
SUZANN SCHIEMER is a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT) and a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist. She has provided forest bathing walks, as well as nature and wellness presentations/walks for a variety of state and county parks, nonprofit organizations, universities and private landowners. She has also contributed to a number of books and professional development courses on the subject. Prior to becoming a certified guide, Suzann taught health and physical education in the Bloomsburg Area School District for 36 years and was a consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and a national instructor for the American Master Teacher Program, Physical Best Fitness Education Program and Fitnessgram Assessment Program.
Ronald Haas
RON HAAS retired in 2012 after working 35 years with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. During that time, he enjoyed and benefited from daily interactions with the natural world. Since retirement, Ron has shared his professional knowledge and skills in numerous nature-based wellness walks. He has attended the International Forest Bathing Conference and SHIFT Festival - Nature as Medicine and other professional development opportunities as he continues to expand his knowledge of nature-based wellness.