The Vision
We are at a crossroads.
As we have silenced our end of the conversation with the living world, we have cut ourselves off from the essential benefits our habitat provides. At Healing Forest Guide, our mission is to rebuild this health-giving partnership. I believe interaction with nature is the most powerful path to accessing our innate healing potential.
The Path of Applied PNE
My work is rooted in a specific heritage of observation. I was raised in a lineage that looked toward the stars to understand the "unseen" forces—the dark matter—that hold the universe together. This formative curiosity led me to Epidemiology and Health Analytics, where I spent years mapping the hidden patterns of human wellness through data.
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Today, I translate that data into Applied Psychoneuroecology (PNE). Psychoneuroecology (PNE) is the study of how our environment—the air we breathe, the sights we see—directly changes our brain chemistry and physical health. This discipline treats the forest as a biological partner. By understanding how phytoncides (the natural essential oils trees emit) boost immune resilience and how fractals (the repeating patterns in branches and leaves) regulate the nervous system, we move beyond "relaxing" into true physiological restoration.
​The Science & Spirit of Forest Bathing
Forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) is the vessel for this work. It is more than just a walk in the woods; it is a research-backed practice proven to reduce stress hormones and strengthen immune function.
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As a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, I create carefully paced experiences that invite you to slow down, engage all your senses, and deepen your relationship with the natural world. My approach weaves together traditional ecological knowledge, contemporary research, and mindfulness—creating space for authentic connection, reflection, and renewal.
Ramona Moonflower Rubin
Founder of Healing Forest Guide| Applied PNE Practitioner
Qualifications
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Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), University of Michigan
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B.A. Cultural Ecology, UC Santa Cruz
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Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, ANFT
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Wilderness First Responder
