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Vision and Mission
Create unhurried spaces for the community to deepen their connection with nature, with others, and with themselves through curated nature immersion experiences:
+ Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy: guided nature connection activities
+ Integrate nature connection into everyday life
+ Promote individual, social and environmental change
+ Enhance individual, social, and community health and well-being
+ Inspire wonder and awe
+ Support artists and creatives in their work through nature-based creative workshops
+ Nurture the next generation to cultivate a relationship with the natural environment through play and exploration
ABOUT
CATCH A BREATH
Welcome!
My name is Carmen, founder of Catch A Breath
I am a certified Forest Bathing Guide/Forest Therapy Practitioner and part of a global network of professionals at Forest Therapy Hub. I have been in the educational sector in Hong Kong for more than 10 years and in my free time, I would spend countless hours hiking in the mountains, sitting by a stream, and immersing myself in the natural environment. When I attended my first Forest Bathing walk as a participant, this experience inspired me to take a pivotal step to pursue training and share this work with others.
The name Catch A Breath was inspired by an expression I often hear locals in the city say, ‘俾我抖啖氣得唔得呀’ which literally means "Can I just catch my breath?"
Starting Catch A Breath Nature Well-Being is a dream come true for me to bridge the gap between my appreciation and love of nature and my passion to serve the community. My mission as a guide is to partner with nature and walk alongside others on their journey toward thriving and flourishing. My professional background as a child and family educator guides my practice to help foster healthy relationships and the well-being of each family member by creating unhurried spaces for cultivating connections.
I look forward to creating memories in nature with you on our upcoming walks.
In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful. –Alice Walker
Forest Bathing, also known as Shinrin-Yoku, is a Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature by mindfully using all five senses. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath”. So Shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through our senses.
The BENEFITS of Forest Bathing are based on scientific research:
+ Strengthen the immune system
+ Maintain cardiovascular health
+ Strengthened social relationships
+ Contributes to mental health: reduction of stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety
+ Monoterpenes emitted by trees act as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent
+ Green and blue spaces such as the forest, waterfalls, and coastal areas are rich in Negative Ions, proven to improve asthma and break down pollutants
+ Human feelings of “awe” - boost creativity and focus
Please Note: Forest Bathing is a well-being practice and is not to replace the consultation of professionals to your specific needs and health condition.
"A Forest Bathing Guide offers nature connection activities structured in a carefully designed sequence that aims to create experiences that enhance nature connectedness and strengthen social relationships, boosting the therapeutic and restorative effects of nature for health and well-being"- Forest Therapy Hub
The BENEFITS of walking with a guide:
+ The guide sets the pace that is effective for forest bathing
+ Takes the stress out of planning and finding a route, and ensures the safety of the walk
+ Offers a supportive, non-judgemental safe space for participants to share their experiences and be listened to
+ Helps participants grow in their personal connection with nature by sharing ways to integrate the practice into their daily lives
Leave No Trace
At Catch a Breath we follow The Forest Code (Woodland Trust) on each of our session. This means we:
Do not disturb or leave anything behind to harm the environment
Respectful of nature at all time
Do not pick living plants or walk on paths where one might damage or destroy the environment
