About Adirondack Riverwalking
and Forest Bathing
In 2017, Adirondack Riverwalking came into existence…
It all started with the river and my experience, and it was several years in the making. My spouse, Bob, took me, Helene, fly-fishing. I loved every part of it, the moving water, the light, the riffles in the water, until I actually caught a fish. As a wellness educator, I felt being caught was causing the fish undue stress.
I eventually took to the rivers, wading just to explore and discover, sitting and marveling at nature’s beauty. My desire to share this experience with others led me to pilot Riverwalking with friends, family and neighbors. Once I saw that other people delighted in the experience as much as me, I was inspired to start Adirondack Riverwalking, the guide business.
BRINGING FOREST BATHING TO THE ADIRONDACKS
For several years, she had been following the progress of Forest Bathing, a wellness practice that originated in Japan in the mid-1980s, making its way into the United States.
Spring 2017 found us traveling together to the Morton Arboretum near Chicago to begin our six-month journey into becoming Certified Forest Therapy Guides, through the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy. We were very fortunate to train with Amos Clifford, the man who brought the practice to the United States, assisted by a team of highly-trained and skilled trainers, including educator and author, Ben Page.
BRINGING FOREST BATHING TO THE ADIRONDACKS
My good friend Suzanne grew up in the woods of the North Country. As a child, that’s where she felt her deepest sense of belonging. She returned to the area after many years away, settling back into her sense of wonder in nature.
For several years, she had been following the progress of Forest Bathing, a wellness practice that originated in Japan in the mid-1980s, making its way into the United States. Spring 2017 found us traveling together to the Morton Arboretum near Chicago to begin our six-month journey into becoming Certified Forest Therapy Guides, through the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy. We were very fortunate to train with Amos Clifford, the man who brought the practice to the United States, assisted by a team of highly-trained and skilled trainers, including educator and author, Ben Page.
The training and the six-month practicum were transformative for both of us. Our relationship with nature deepened and became more reciprocal. We discovered that using our senses in an intentional, deliberate way while in natural environments brings us into the moment, because our senses are immediate. Nature is a great teacher, when we are willing to slow down, to listen with all our senses engaged. Nature shares and mirrors many of our own life experiences. And as we connected with nature in an ever deepening manner, we also connected with aspects of ourselves long-forgotten and under-developed. And we experienced how interwoven we all are with nature.
“Self-care is key to survival and its practices give everyone the strength to heal and succeed in life, whether at work, as a family member or as a social activist.”
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to relate to it with love and respect.”
Our Values
- Integrity – we practice what we guide and teach
- Quality – we continuously seek ways to improve our offerings and the value we offer our clients
- Sustainability – we strive to have the smallest impact on nature and to consume the least resources
- Community – we foster caring community through sharing
- Inclusiveness – we value and honor diversity, welcome functional differences in humans and in nature
- Reciprocity - we honor nature’s infinite generosity by giving back through our riverbank tree planting partnership with ASRA and other initiatives
Helene Gibbens
After growing up in Montreal, Helene found her heart yearned for open spaces. After living in several rural areas, she settled in Saranac Lake in 2008, where she feels truly at home with the land and the people. After teaching yoga and wellness for over 25 years, she felt called to share with others the inherent wisdom and the healing power of nature. She cherishes wading in rivers and meandering in forests, re-kindling her sense of wonder at the beauty of nature. She also likes to ski, hike and garden. Helene is a Certified Nature Therapy Guide, Licensed NYS Hiking Guide, Certified Yoga Teacher and wellness facilitator.
Helene Gibbens
After growing up in Montreal, Helene found her heart yearned for open spaces. After living in several rural areas, she settled in Saranac Lake in 2008, where she feels truly at home with the land and the people. After teaching yoga and wellness for over 25 years, she felt called to share with others the inherent wisdom and the healing power of nature. She cherishes wading in rivers and meandering in forests, re-kindling her sense of wonder at the beauty of nature. She also likes to ski, hike and garden. Helene is a Certified Nature Therapy Guide, Licensed NYS Hiking Guide, Certified Yoga Teacher and wellness facilitator.
Suzanne Weirich
Suzanne grew up exploring the woods and fields throughout the North Country. While her career as an elementary school educator took her away, retirement led her home again and rekindled her desire to protect the Adirondack forests and waterways. This in turn fueled her passion to share the nature wellness practice of Forest Therapy with people of all ages and abilities, as well as with school students and teachers. She is a Certified Nature Therapy Guide, Licensed NYS Hiking Guide with a Master’s in Outdoor Education. Suzanne also enjoys canoeing, skiing, forest walks and long sitspots in nature.