Joy Trails
Shinrin Yoku Forest Bathing
South West
My name is Jacquie and I live in the glorious South West of Western Australia near Margaret River. I've spent my life working and playing in WA and connecting with nature through my work as an Environmental Scientist and in my ‘spare’ time.
Just to show you how far back this love and connection with nature goes, here’s a picture of me aged 3, circa 1975, (hence the blurry Polaroid!), feeling the joy being in nature, You can’t wipe the smile off my face, just hanging out in a tree by a lake. Children intrinsically know how to forest bathe! Since then I’ve worked as an environmental scientist for many years, and have always found nature to be relaxing and good for stress.
My studies in Forest/Eco Therapy and nature immersion have significantly added to my wealth of experience in finding connection with nature. My studies have lead me down many paths to joy.
Joy is a good place to start, isn’t it?
Joy means a lot of things. It’s light, fun and creative. It was my grandmothers middle name, one she favoured over her first name. She was one of the bravest, strongest and most loving people I have had the honour of knowing. So Joy is for her and all my family.
It’s how I feel when I am in nature. It’s for all the winding forest paths and sandy shores we ramble on, and find sanctuary within.
JoyTrails was created out of love- of nature, and of how much it heals us all. How blessed I am to have it so close to me here in the South West. Now I can share it with you !
With global pandemics and concerns about the climate, and our crazy busy lifestyles, we rarely stop to rest, recover and appreciate the beauty and complexity around us.
We all know it, but do we practice it?
I invite you to come and explore, play and challenge yourself in nature and find gentle, relaxing and life-affirming ways that are scientifically proven to improve your daily life.
Come on a journey into Joy!
Xxx Jacquie
The Sun does not Shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s Joy”
Henry Ward Beecher
What is Forest Therapy and Shinrin Yoku about?
Forest Bathing and Therapy has been practiced around the globe for many years. The Japanese started researching it in the 1980s, and call it Shinrin Yoku. Literally “Forest Bathing”. Bathing in a forest isn’t about getting nude though -unless you want to! It is about reconnecting your body and all your senses to natural materials found in forests and wild, untouched places, and giving your body time and the opportunity to naturally respond. You will find a connection back to your own inner nature.
Many people in the western world are overwhelmed with life and suffer from ‘city-bound’ complaints. Stress, anxiety, heart disease and depression are often excerbated by our modern, crazy busy lives. I know this personally so I can relate to how you feel.
As I have worked as an Environmental scientist for the past 26 years, I have always naturally ‘felt’ that nature makes me feel ‘better’. Spending time in nature, and undertaking certain practices in particular, actually heals, as I have personally experienced. Now there is overwhelming scientific evidence that being in nature actually makes us feel better.
I invite you to come and experience some nature nurture for yourself. Learn some new techniques, make new friends and share the best news- we have nature to guide us to better ways of living and finding joy, calm and peace, all at our fingertips.
Forest bathing even helps you live longer. * So don’t just sit there, let’s go for a Forest Bathe!
*Research paper-Michelle and Popham, 2007
What clients are saying about Joy Trails Margaret River Forest therapy and Shin rin Yoku
”Imagine guided meditation but you're actually in a forest. Jacquie's passion is evident as she takes you through some exercises to calm and relax, and makes you feel grounded. Then just sit in your own special spot, so that you feel like you're the only person in the whole world, until you hear the call of the singing bowl to tell you there are snacks and some home-made tea waiting to help bring you back to reality. I felt so calm after this experience, and it was lovely to debrief with the group after. Plus, what a perfect place to try forest bathing, to me one of the most beautiful parts of the world! Thank you so much Jacquie, I went back to work on Monday feeling really refreshed.”
Michelle- JoyTrails Client
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science; Geology, Zoology, Post Graduate Diploma- Environmental Science, Certificate of Completion- Forest Therapy Foundation, International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance, Qualified Mental Health First Aider, St John First Aid, Working with Children Check.