Pioneering the Practice of Remote Guiding: Interview with Geeta Stilwell, ANFT Trainer

In the Spring of 2020 Forest therapy guide and ANFT trainer, Geeta Stilwell, pioneered the practice of offering remotely guided forest therapy/forest bathing walks. The pandemic had just been officially declared and Geeta was asking herself, “How are are we going to find a way to guide during the pandemic? I need to guide or I will go insane.” It has been my great pleasure to work and learn about this practice, our profession of forest therapy, alongside and from Geeta since 2016 as fellow ANFT trainers. I wanted to put together a resource with the best practices for Remotely Guiding forest therapy walks and as I began to put this piece together I knew I wanted to include an interview with Geeta, the guide who pioneered this way of guiding. I hope you enjoy this interview. There is a Table of Contents for this video below.

Video Table of Contents (42:30 min)

• (1:30 min) The story of how remote guiding began with Geeta Stilwell
• (2:33 min) Insights into Way of the Guide and Gather-Share-Listen
• (5:14 min)  Trust and leaning into Way of the Guide
• (7:08 min) The Imaginal Sense and Remote Guiding
• (8:05 min) The Harvest(8:18 min) Airbnb: A different audience
• (8:53 min) The importance of invitations with sensory contact to support the experience
• (9:21 min) How does the guide experience the  practice of remotely guiding? Tips for supporting yourself. and your own embodiment while guiding.
• (12:56 min) Invitations that work well for remotely guided experiences
• (17:00 min) Optimal length for remotely guided walks
• (18:59 min) The length of invitations
• (21:22 min) Gather-Share-Listen Best Practices
• (23:20 min)  Running a walk from a computer vs. phone
• (25:38 min) Awarnesses, Housekeeping and Inclusivity for All Participants
• (30:41 min)  Pricing and Charging(35:38 min) Technology Logistics and Tips
• (37:37 min) Video On vs. Video Off and Sound Audio
• (40:42 min)  Final Words: Get Out There and Guide!