Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Hancock.
Robin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had worked for the same state agency for my entire professional career and had always enjoyed being in nature – hiking, camping, kayaking, and such. As a kid, even, I played outside more than inside – much-preferring playing in the creek more than watching TV.
In 2013, I lost a loved one – someone I had been dating. Though I had been hiking regularly during that time, I began daily hikes – anywhere from 2 to 6 miles – during which I processed my grief. My mother was soon diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she eventually transitioned in August of 2015. Within a month of my mother’s death, I suddenly lost my main support relationship. By the spring of 2016, I was in the throes of a full-blown existential crisis.
In April of 2016, my friend Susan sent me an article about Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing), and I was immediately drawn to it because it’s all about each participant finding their own “medicine of the Forest” through this type of deep nature connection. About a week later, after checking in with a few other people, especially my friend Allison, to make sure the Universe was actually rolling out the red carpet for me (and that I wasn’t just imagining it), I had made plans to retire, attend the week-long immersion training, as well as made all the necessary arrangements to make that happen.
The core question I kept coming back to, after having recently witnessed my own mother’s death, was, “when I’m on my deathbed, will I look back and have a regret if I choose to not pursue this”? And the answer was “yes”. After the immersion training, there was a 6-month practicum, after which I became a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
Today, I offer public walks in local green spaces, facilitate at weekend and day retreats, and have partnered with entities such as Trees Atlanta and Elachee Nature Science Center to guide walks in their spaces. I also offer private walks for individuals and couples, some referred to me through holistic counseling practices. Private walks can also be guided for groups for celebrations such as birthdays or weddings, as well as team building for small businesses or larger corporate businesses.
I’m happy letting my business grow organically by word of mouth and interest generated through inquiry, as Shinrin-Yoku is not something I can convince others they need in their life. Though there are many physiological, psychological, and even spiritual benefits, I let the Forest speak for itself.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Initially, because I consider guiding others in this type of nature connection a calling, the decision was very easy – after the reality check I previously mentioned. Technically speaking, I was able to get the business set up by myself, and the business part of it is fairly smooth though there is always a learning curve.
My main struggle is getting people to understand exactly what I do and why I do it, as well as why they may wish to experience Forest Bathing. Because many of us are so far removed from nature, it can be very hard to conceptualize this type of deep nature connection and the impact it can have on individuals and groups. If you think about what yoga was like 30 years ago – a fairly esoteric activity which was nowhere near being mainstream – you can understand the ways that Forest Bathing is similar in that many people haven’t heard of it, so it’s definitely not a mainstream activity.
There is a ton of research that shows that Forest Bathing is very healthy for humans – both physiologically and psychologically. It can even help boost our immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Aside from the all of the research though, it just makes us feel better. With a guide facilitating that deep connection you don’t get on your own, the connection can be quite profound, including having meaningful spiritual experiences.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, and my company is Renewal by Nature. I offer Shinrin-Yoku walks. for groups, individuals, and couples. Shinrin-Yoku is a Japanese term which translates literally to Forest Bathing. I was one of the first 60 or so guides globally to receive this certification through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
A typical Forest Bathing walk is 2.5 to 3 hours for groups or 1-2 hours for individuals or couples. During this time, I offer a series of specially crafted invitations intended to allow the participant to become immersed in their natural surrounding through their senses.
My offerings include:
-Public walks in various green spaces in the Atlanta area.
-Private walks for individuals, couples, and groups (celebratory gatherings, team building, etc)
-Facilitating at weekend and day retreats – often partnering with other holistic wellness practitioners
-Guiding walks for other entities such as Trees Atlanta and Elachee Nature Science Center
Because every individual and group can benefit from this practice, I take the most pride in my creative approach in crafting invitations that meet the needs of the participants.
This requires tapping into my own intuition, which is something I have developed through my own deep nature connection. I believe that trusting deeply in what I do, and the support I’ve received through my own nature connection allows me to facilitate that for others.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the neighborhood tomboy – very active and always playing a sport – softball, volleyball, tennis, basketball – so very competitive (much less so now). Even though I had neighborhood friends, I spent alone time outside wandering in the woods or playing in the creek. I also did a lot of reading and was a talented writer. I’ve always been naturally curious. To this day, I have an inability to leave a question unanswered, so I look up everything. lol
I loved going on family vacations and seeing new places. We visited places like the Redwood Forest and the Grand Canyon, and I remember feeling that sense of awe when there are just no words….. Even though I’ve always loved beautiful man-made things like architecture, I much prefer nature.
Pricing:
- Public walks $30-35 (2.5 to 3 hours)
- Individual/Couples $150 (per walk) (1-2 hours)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.renewal-by-nature.com
- Phone: 6784910200
- Email: robin@renewal-by-nature.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewal.by.nature/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewalbynatureguides/
Image Credit:
Association of Nature and Forest Therapy
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