Sarah Abu-Absi, Mind-Body Coach + Forest Therapy Guide

01/14/2026

So grateful for this group that gathered for fireside forest therapy on Sunday.

And grateful for
the sun that came out and
Reminded some of us of laying on the beach in summer
When we remembered we can use our imaginations in our favor

Grateful for the crisp breeze, our warming hearts and hand-warmers, and the pause between our thoughts

Grateful for the fact that we can experience cold, we can notice the bracing (or resisting) and choose to welcome the bracing (to not resist the resisting)
And then watch the bracing and clenching melt away

And grateful we have a place to get warm.

Grateful for it all

01/06/2026

Thank you to the 361 people who joined me in 2025 to put away our phones and our to-do lists and societal expectations to let ourselves connect to our true nature -- in partnership with the Earth and the sky and everything/everyone in between.

Thank you to everyone who likes or shares or comments on my posts, forwards my emails, tells a friend or a co-worker or a family member about .

Marketing isn't my thing -- so I'm grateful to everyone that spreads the word and to everyone that shows up.

Reach out or check out my website if you want to do forest therapy with me in 2026!

01/05/2026

CORRECTION - it's this SUNDAY, January 11th :)

Fireside Forest Therapy: Mindfulness in Winter

Winter invites us to slow down. In this forest therapy session, we’ll start by a crackling fire inside the Ecology Center, then move outside to experience what it feels like to be truly present outside, with nature, without our judging or analytical minds leading the way.

We can take warming breaks inside by the fire as needed, so we will go ahead rain in any weather.

Science shows that forest therapy boosts immunity, creativity, focus, and feelings of connection.

The session is guided, relaxed, and adaptable to everyone’s comfort level.

Dress for the weather, and otherwise come just as you are :)

Register via Evanston Parks and Rec: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/cityofevanston/shop/activities/6402949

Event was listed as "Winter Wellness Walk" and may not have been changed yet to reflect the accurate title. DM or email me if you have a hard time registering.

12/03/2025

There is magic and wisdom and beauty in all seasons.

Private forest therapy
12.3.25
Lake County, IL

11/25/2025

11/19/2025

Noticing the space between the thoughts.
Forest therapy with At Ease program for Veterans.
11.19.25
Ryerson Woods
Lake County, IL

11/19/2025

Thanks to and Josh for highlighting in their recent newsletter. Sharing it here and continued in the comments.

Also — this Thursday SUM is hosting a happy hour fundraiser at — DM me for the RSVP link if Google doesn’t do the trick.

*********

Forest therapy is a key element of many SUM experiences, and most often that means a collaboration with Sarah Abu-Absi of That Forest Feeling. Sarah started her practice right around the same time that SUM was established. SUM’’s Executive Director Josh Ellis recently had a chance to talk with Sarah about our intertwined journeys.

Josh: We’re both several years into this - finding new and different ways to help people benefit from time outside. How has your understanding of the need for practices like forest therapy changed over the years you’ve been guiding?

Sarah: When I started guiding we were on the tail end of the pandemic, people were eager to spend time outside and had more free time. Now people seem busier than ever. This makes it harder for people to find time to show up for forest therapy; when they do their minds tend to be quite active and their stress levels high.

Continued in comments ….

11/17/2025

Remembering we are all connected
We don’t have to do it alone

11.16.25
Women Veterans and Family Retreat
Forest therapy

11/15/2025

Forest therapy 11.15.25
Evanston, IL

11/13/2025

Could barely see them with the naked eye but it was still cool to be with a bunch of people down by the lake in the dark staring at the sky. ✨

11/07/2025

There is still beauty in the world.

If you need to be reminded of that too, come join me Saturday at 10am for forest therapy at the Ecology Center / Ladd Arboretum.

Come for a reprieve from dealing with all the hard stuff and stay for the PEAK FALL COLORS.

For balancing your nervous system,
For finding a pause between input and response,
For learning from the wisdom of the Earth.

So you can go back to doing all the things the world need you to do with more clarity and peace.

Sign up via website or by calling them at 847.448.8256.

11/05/2025

It’s peak fall colors ya’ll and you too can book a private forest therapy session 24 hours in advance just like this stranger did this week — fitting a 90 minute session in their busy week amid working from home and shuffling kids around.

You too can touch grass (or leaves as the case may be), and let your body and nervous system rest in the arms of the Earth for a while.