Moving in Nature is good for you
‘We have shown clearly and in a variety of contexts that physical activity in the presence of nature improves health and well-being. We have found no groups who have not benefitted: all ages, genders, ethnicities and social classes respond positively to green exercise.’  Jules Pretty, University of Essex, 2016

About Forest Chi

Picture
Forest Chi is Tai Chi that connects us with nature.
​Tai Chi is a form of mindful exercise, which promotes many facets of human health. It encourages physical as well as emotional balance and steadily builds vitality.   

Forest Chi is a newly developed, cutting edge practice of Tai Chi. It uses moves that are easy to learn and chosen specifically for the ways in which they help us to re-awaken our senses, build a sense of place and help us to feel at one with nature.

​It offers a healthy mind-body practice for the individual.   In addition, the partner and group exercises help us to learn to listen to each other, which creates a basis for cooperation and understanding. 

Forest Chi uses the basic premise of mindfulness to help us to tune in to what is going on in each moment - in ourselves and in nature. This kind of practice is sometimes known as 'immersive attention' and it is integral to the Forest Chi experience.

‘There is clear research evidence to show that activities that are immersive and involve focused attention are effective in improving well-being (Sennett, 2008; Goleman, 2013).’ as quoted by Jules Pretty
​
Vitality and creativity
The Tai Chi movements and immersion in nature  help to ease stress in mind and body. This release promotes vitality and can allow  creativity to flow. Forest Chi provides opportunities for self expression and to create through nature art, story, freestyle movement and sound.
Dose of Nature
We are working alongside Jules Pretty of Essex University in researching the effects of Forest Chi.
His research programs led him to coin the phrase, “Dose of Nature”.
​Below are some excerpts from his recent  papers

Jules Pretty, University of Essex, 2016
‘We coined the phrase dose of nature to articulate that exposure to green exercise is analogous to a medical dose to the body, improving mental and physical health.’
‘We have shown that deliberate therapeutic use of natural environments has short and long term positive effects on groups under mental stress (including at risk children and youth…mental health patients)’
‘Immersive attention...is a part of movement based activities such as Tai Chi… ’