Your Guide – Geraldine Grand
Born in Sion in the Swiss Alps, I am a passionate snowboarder, former competitor, Yin Yoga teacher, traveler, and nature lover. In 2015, during a world tour, I fell in love with Japan and its unique snow. My husband and I quickly decided to open Kodama Lodge on the ski slopes in the Hakuba Valley, Nagano, to welcome off-piste enthusiasts and share our knowledge and experience of powder snow. After a few years of renovating the lodge during the summer seasons, we sought to offer activities during the green season to showcase this corner of the Japanese Alps, with its unique landscapes surrounded by lush nature.
It was in the spring of 2020 that things began to make sense, having heard about forest therapy a few years earlier. I was able to experience a complete panchakarma treatment in Sri Lanka to address my endometriosis. The Ayurvedic doctor strongly recommended the practice of Yin Yoga, a gentle and therapeutic practice. This transformed my perspective and strengthened my desire to offer our clients activities focused on well-being and relaxation during the summer season. Upon our return, I began the certification training offered by the Forest Therapy Society in Japan to become a forest therapy guide/therapist. During the same period, I took the opportunity to learn more about Yin Yoga practice and trained as a teacher, thus enriching the retreats and providing a more comprehensive experience for the participants.