“The guiding principles for all of our offerings at Silvae Spiritus are rooted in restoring right relation with Nature; reconnecting us to ourselves, each other, and our living planet.“
-Leigha Horton & Travis Norman, Silvae Spiritus co-founders
Guided Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing, also known as Shinrin-Yoku or Nature & Forest Therapy, is the practice of “taking in the forest atmosphere with all of one’s senses.” Much like sun bathers soak in the sun, forest bathers soak in the forest.
Forest Bathing is a slow-moving, deeply sensory walk in Nature that has shown to result in measurable physiological, cognitive, and emotional benefits. As with walking meditation or yoga, these activities can be practiced on one’s own and yet the benefits greatly increase with regular practice and the expertise and guidance of properly trained and certified guides.
Silvae Spiritus Forest Bathing Guides are fully certified by the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT), and have extensive experience guiding groups large and small in nature – from urban refuges to remote wilderness, nature centers to National Parks.
Guided Sauna
We welcome you to an experience that honors the spirit of sauna with high-quality heat, plenty of fresh air ventilation, luxurious steam and a sense of easygoing community.
Inspired by thermic bathing traditions throughout history and across cultures, sauna is an antidote to the pace and distraction of modern life. These restorative sessions are an opportunity to refresh and revitalize while reconnecting us with ourselves, each other, and our living world.
While safety is always our first priority, we believe that each of us instinctually knows what is best for our individual bodies. We will guide you through the thermic bathing cycles of hot, cold, rest, rehydrate, repeat, encouraging you to fully tune into your senses to determine the pacing that is best for you. Perhaps there is value in pushing yourself to the edge of your regular comfort level. Perhaps there is value in longer rest periods between cycles. Perhaps you’ll find yourself in a dance between both. Whatever you need, we’re here to hold space for the unique relationship you’ll discover between yourself and your sauna experience.
Meditative Sound Immersion
Meditative sound immersion is an exploration of the resonance between your inner nature and the natural world you are a part of, between your mental and physical well-being, between personal and collective growth. These sessions offer an opportunity to welcome ourselves back into the home we call the present moment – for in true listening there is only the now. As serene audio and subtle instrumentation guide us toward a restorative state of deep simplicity and complete relaxation, participants often find their personal awareness and are able to expand as the soundscape continually shifts and evolves, simply by allowing their own thoughts and emotions the freedom and spaciousness to rise and fall in their natural state, without agenda and without judgment.
Reiki Energy Healing
Reiki energy healing is a complementary wellness modality that focuses on strengthening and balancing the energy – often referred to as a “biofield” – that animates all living bodies.
The Usui Reiki lineage of teachings, in which we are trained, pulls from a hundred-year old Japanese framework developed by Mikao Usui, as well as ancient Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese folk healing traditions that have been carried forward for thousands of years. Most often utilized for stress reduction, relaxation, and pain management, Reiki and similar biofield therapies have also been used as a method to support traditional medical treatments to address wound healing, post-operative care, cancers and the side effects of cancer treatments, among others, and is offered in hospitals and other clinical settings, as it is thought to assist the body in creating an environment to facilitate healing.
Retreats
INTERBEING is a series of immersive events and retreats focused on experiencing the connectedness of all things.
Guests will deepen their relationship with the natural world while holding space for personal development. Each event and retreat will highlight different wellness modalities and activities, with a unifying theme of open-minded, open-hearted support rooted in nature. Step away from the stresses of modern life and practice living from the new and ancient story of connection and interdependent reality.
We do not come into this world, we come out of it, as leaves and fruit from a tree; let’s discover all the ways we can help each other grow.
Lodging
Nestled in the Minnesota Northwoods halfway between Minneapolis / St. Paul and the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior, the Gather Guesthouse, Treetop Tiny House, and Meadow Micro House at Silvae Spiritus Northwoods Nature Retreat are located 12 minutes from Banning State Park (hiking and white water rafting), 7 minutes from the Willard Munger State Bicycle Trail, and 20 minutes from Robinson Park (rock and ice climbing). Whether for deep relaxation and rejuvenation, a romantic getaway, or simply connecting with nature, these 30 acres provide woods, ephemeral ponds, and meadows with trails throughout.
The spacious, fully private, two-bedroom Gather Guesthouse, attached to the owner’s home, provides easygoing luxury in a spa-like atmosphere. Sleeps up to five adults.
The Treetop Tiny House features two lofted sleeping areas with a queen bed in each, Scandinavian minimalist design with local artwork, and massive windows to take in the surrounding forest. Sleeps up to four adults; well-behaved dogs welcome.
The Meadow Micro House is our remote, cart-in offering perfect for those who want to get away from it all and fully immerse themselves in nature. With one queen bed, year-round electricity, heat, and cooling, but seasonal water and no TV nor internet, this is glamping at its very finest. Sleeps up to two adults; well-behaved dogs welcome.
Special features of all lodging include kitchens fit for several-day stays, private fire pits for cozy nights under the stars, full access to our 30 acres of woods, meadows, and ephemeral ponds with trails throughout, and optional wellness services available for an additional fee such as forest bathing, wood-fired sauna + cold plunge, meditative sound immersion, and reiki.