In The Company of Trees Forest Bathing Retreat
August 31 - September 2
$595
In the Company of Trees: The Silence that Speaks
Join us for a three-day forest bathing retreat at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota — one of the North Shore’s most breathtaking natural settings. From August 31–Sept 2, you’ll slow down, step off the grid, and reconnect with the living world through guided forest bathing walks, fire circle reflections, a twilight wander under the waning moon, and quiet time among old trees. Woven throughout is the grounding wisdom of Stoic philosophy — not as lecture, but as a lens for noticing what the forest already knows: that stillness clarifies, impermanence teaches, and presence is enough. Whether you’re carrying exhaustion, transition, or simply the weight of too much noise, this retreat offers something rare — unrushed time in good company, with the trees doing most of the talking.
About the Instructor:
David M. Motzenbecker, PLA, ANFT
Founder, Motz Studios Forest Bathing Experiences
David Motzenbecker didn’t set out to lead people into forests—he set out to design them as an award-winning landscape architect. But over time, the quiet call of the forest became harder to ignore.
As the founder of Motz Studios, David now walks between worlds—where forest and human meet, where design becomes medicine. His therapeutic forest bathing walks are rooted in the Japanese tradition of Shinrin Yoku and blend Stoic philosophy, design insight, and nature’s healing power into meaningful, transformative experiences.
One of ANFT’s Top Three Certified Walk Leaders globally, David has led walks for nearly 3,000 participants since 2018. His approach invites even the busiest minds to slow down and listen. The forest, in his view, is not an escape, it’s a way back to what matters. His experiences are calm, focused, and deeply effective—helping busy, high-performing individuals slow down, reconnect, and find clarity through nature.
