Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, is a practice that not only fosters a deeper connection with nature but also invites us to connect deeply with ourselves. As you embark on your journey to becoming a Shinrin Yoku guide, cultivating self-reliance can be an essential part of your personal and professional development.

Self-reliance, with its roots in self-awareness, independence, and resilience, brings about several benefits such as improved self-confidence, enhanced decision-making skills, and stronger relationships. As a guide, you can lean on this self-reliance when navigating diverse terrains, managing group dynamics, and adapting sessions to meet unique participant needs.

Here are five steps, outlined by Kloppers (2019), to cultivate self-reliance (as you become a Shinrin Yoku guide):

1. Be your own best friend: Practice self-compassion and focus on your strengths. As you learn and grow, remember to be patient with yourself, just as you would with a good friend. Acknowledge your progress and the unique qualities that you bring to your guiding practice.

2. Inner confidence: Shinrin Yoku guiding doesn’t require you to prove yourself to anyone. Rather, it’s about facilitating a space for others to experience the healing power of nature. Cultivate a quiet confidence that is rooted in your knowledge, skills, and passion for forest bathing.

3. Making your own decisions: As a guide, you’ll need to make many decisions, from planning the route for a session to choosing how to respond to unexpected situations. Use these opportunities to turn inward and trust your judgment, drawing from your training and experience.

4. Recognize and manage dependence: While it’s important to seek help and learn from others, avoid becoming overly reliant on external validation or guidance. Remember, as a Shinrin Yoku guide, your primary tools are your senses, your intuition, and your unique connection with nature.

5. Accept yourself for who you are: Each Shinrin Yoku guide brings their own unique flavor to the practice. Embrace your unique approach, whether it’s your storytelling ability, your vast knowledge of local flora and fauna, or your knack for creating a calming ambiance. Avoid self-criticism and comparison, focusing instead on self-acceptance and continuous growth.

As you cultivate self-reliance, you’ll find that it enhances not only your journey to becoming a Shinrin Yoku guide but also the experiences you facilitate for your participants. Remember, the forest itself is a powerful model of self-reliance, with each tree standing tall on its own, yet interconnected with the whole. Like the trees, we can stand strong in our individuality while fostering deep connections with those around us.