Earlier this summer, I attended a moving talk at Wisdom 2.0 titled “Why Are We So Lonely?” with Dr. Vivek Murthy and Jack Kornfield. In this conversation, they explored the rising epidemic of loneliness in a world that is paradoxically more connected—and more isolated—than ever.

When you're ready to rise in consciousness, the right teachers and tools appear. This truth is beautifully exemplified through my work in Forest Therapy and Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) , combined with the wisdom of influential figures like Bill Donius and Carolyn Myss . I believe engaging in practices like Forest Therapy and SMR opens the door to deeper self-awareness, helping you access your inner wisdom and unlock new pathways for growth. Self-Myofascial Release is particularly powerful as it’s a practice of letting go, clearing physical and emotional tension to create space for intuition to arise. Their teachings offer powerful insights into intuition, creativity, and personal transformation—tools that resonate deeply with the work I do, providing a foundation for developing a reliable inner guide: your intuition.

Have you ever noticed how a simple sandwich, a handful of chips, or a piece of fruit seems to taste extraordinary when you’re sitting on a beach towel, toes buried in warm sand, and the rhythmic sound of waves in the background?

You're warmly invited to come experience Chaminade's newly certified Forest Therapy Trail —a place where healing, reflection, and reconnection with nature come alive. I’ll be offering Forest Therapy walks , Nature Journaling sessions , and Self-Myofascial Release workshops and retreats designed to support deep rest and embodied presence. Come join us on this beautiful trail in Santa Cruz and explore the powerful connection between nature, body, and soul. Sign up here and feel free to reach out with any questions—I’d love to share this journey with you.

Our forest therapy group was immersed in Redwood Memorial Grove , a pocket of towering giants hidden in the heart of the city. Its calming energy wraps around you the moment you arrive.

I’ve spent the past week immersed in conversations about disruption —a word that keeps echoing across very different worlds.

By Wendy Figone | Somatic Ecotherapy

I grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just outside of Woodside—long before Canyon Ranch Woodside became a sanctuary for wellness nestled in the redwoods. That lifelong connection to the forest eventually led me to become a certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) and later, a Forest Therapy Trail Consultant trained to create intentional spaces for healing in nature.

In a world that moves too fast, where overstimulation is the norm and our nervous systems are constantly “on,” truly relaxing has become a skill—and, in many cases, a struggle. I see this in the people I guide through forest therapy walks. I feel it in myself.

The unique benefits of being guided by an ANFT-Certified Forest Therapy Guide