Leigha Horton
Co-Founder, Programming Director, & Guide
Silvae Spiritus
Certified Guide,
Former Practicum Mentor & Former Apprentice Trainer
Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs
Certified Morning Altars Teacher™
Morning Altars
*Wilderness First Aid Certified
*CPR + AED Certified
From a free-range childhood of playing in the woods, catching fireflies in her grandparents’ back yard, and family camping and fishing trips, to an adulthood exploring our sacred wild places (Yosemite National Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Dunmore Head being favorites) Leigha’s love affair with Nature was planted at a very young age, tenderly nurtured, and has flourished in the decades since culminating in full certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT), and becoming a Certified Morning Altars Teacher™.
A communicator by training and by trade, she has spent over 24 years as a professional voiceover actor – voicing and producing national television and radio commercials, museum exhibits, documentaries, video games, training films, educational games, animation, and audio books – and has contributed to several medical research grants by conceiving, facilitating, and producing audio-guided Forest Bathing walks for study participants. With nearly 15 years additional experience in the museum field – developing and delivering programming about science, history, and arts to tens of thousands of visitors at the Walker Art Center, The Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Minnesota History Center, Leigha now continues her passion for guiding and teaching through inquiry via nature-connected modalities – Forest Bathing, Morning Altars, and Woodland Sauna, on behalf of Silvae Spiritus – co-created with her husband, Travis Norman, in 2018.
“The land knows you, even when you are lost.”
– Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
Travis Norman
Co-Founder, Operations Director, & Guide
Silvae Spiritus
Certified Guide,
Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs
*Wilderness First Aid Certified
Before ever hearing the term Shinrin-Yoku, before discovering research detailing the substantial health benefits of Mindfulness in Nature, before the decision was made to dedicate his professional energies to helping others experience these benefits, there were simply … walks in the woods. Walks of celebration during moments of personal victory, walks of consolation during times of loss, walks of introspection in times of uncertainty … setting and circumstance ever changing while the ritual remained constant. The physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium gained from this practice soon became essential tools in Travis’ ongoing quest to live life with intent and focus, while layering a keen appreciation for the Natural world into the very essence of his identity and perspective. Walking through the woods at a slow pace while allowing mind and body the time to just be … this habit provided welcome balance as his career path unfolded to become increasingly interwoven with technology as a web designer and electronic musician. Fast forwarding to the present day finds Travis in awe of the degree to which his early intuitions on the value of time spent in this manner are being confirmed by science and embraced by more and more of the world’s population. Firmly believing in the interconnectedness of all life, he is curious and excited to witness how the practice of forest bathing will resonate outward and what effects it will generate in the people who experience it.
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
– Albert Einstein
Amy Haben
Guide,
Silvae Spiritus
Certified Guide,
Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs
Certified Teacher,
EcoNIDRA
*Wilderness First Aid Certified
Sitting in the middle of the pasture on her family’s farm, Amy experienced one of those perspective-shifting moments. She was surrounded by old woods, grazing Scottish Highland Cattle, cool long grasses, and the soil’s earthy smell. By slowing down and just being in and with nature; she felt so rooted, centered, and peaceful. Growing up in an outdoorsy family, nature was a familiar place for Amy but a more connective and grounding relationship was emerging. As she became curious about this, she read that first article about Forest Bathing and her journey with nature-connected wellness practices began.
The path to Amy’s “rewilding” took a few turns. She spent 17 years in a fast-paced, all-consuming corporate career before switching gears to stay home raising two nature-loving sons and volunteering in her community. She is a city girl who found her passion for the environment as co-founder & manager of a sustainable family farming venture. When searching for a hiking community, she volunteered to co-lead a women’s hiking and wellness group local chapter. Each of these experiences have informed how Amy shows up in the world today. As a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide and Certified EcoNIDRA Teacher, Amy’s passion is to partner with the natural world to hold space for relaxation, reconnection, and renewal.
“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
– Kahlil Gibran
Mary McCallum
Guide,
Silvae Spiritus
Certified Guide,
Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs
*Wilderness First Aid Certified
*CPR + AED Certified
Mary is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and an E-RYT200 YACEP certified yoga instructor specializing in accessible yoga for beginners.
As a yoga instructor, Mary is known for her ability to help discouraged folks find their way to safe and welcoming movement so they can enjoy more adventures, activities, and the bold lives they deserve. She loves educating her students to create a personal practice that relieves pain, provides movement freedom, and amplifies emotional well-being. Her goal is to create a fun, inclusive, supportive, and non-intimidating environment for all ages, sizes, and abilities.
Mary’s passion for accessibility and inclusion carries over into her work as a forest therapy guide. She has always been a nature lover and an avid hiker, but just recently discovered a deeper connection with nature through forest therapy. After experiencing a series of heartbreaking losses, forest therapy became instrumental in her journey towards healing and she is thrilled to share this practice with others.
In addition to teaching yoga and leading forest therapy walks, Mary is also the Director of Partnerships and a regular contributor to Midwest Yoga + Life Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys strength training, hiking, dancing, and learning how to DJ.
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
– John Muir