Today we’d like to introduce you to Sky Schenkel.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was the kid who always wanted to be outside. Spending countless hours exploring the woods, fields, and streams close to my home, the outdoors was the place where I never felt lonely. Nature was my playground, but it was also something more—a sense of connection and belonging, a reverence that I didn’t feel anywhere else.
As I grew older, I always found ways to weave nature into my life, even as I became increasingly absorbed in work and the demands of day-to-day routines. As a child, I also had a special sensitivity to the struggles and experiences of others and to matters of social injustice. These qualities eventually led me into the field of social services. In my last full-time job, I served as a case manager for individuals with disabilities. For many years, I was following this passion, working with people, while a deeper part of me was continually drawn toward the natural world.
The two finally came together about six years ago, when I attended a week-long Forest Bathing experience at Kripalu Yoga Center in Massachusetts. That experience changed the way I related to the natural world.
I had always loved hiking, walking, and outdoor sports, and I had spent a period of my life exploring trails throughout the state of NJ on my own. Forest Bathing showed me something entirely different. It wasn’t about getting somewhere, covering miles, getting strong, or developing survival skills; it was about slowing down enough to become present, to be in relationship with the natural world, and to feel fully alive.
The Japanese term for Forest Bathing is Shinrin-yoku, which means immersing yourself, or “bathing,” in the atmosphere of the forest. Shinrin-yoku was developed in Japan in the 1980s as a practice intended to support health and well-being through intentional time spent in nature. I realized that this kind of intentional relationship with nature was something I wanted to share with others.
I began incorporating what I had learned into my own life and eventually started taking others out in the woods and other natural environments. I continued learning through mindful nature programs and trained with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
About three years ago, I created Sky Hawk Walks. Through my walks and programs, I invite people to slow down and connect to the sights, sounds, smells, and other sensory delights that permeate outdoor environments. Through this connection, they start to reconnect to themselves and often rediscover something that many of us have forgotten: that we are not separate from nature. We are as much a part of it as the trees, the sky, the waters, the plants, the animals, the birds, etc.
Remembering this can change the way we see ourselves, how we live, and the world around us. This is why I do what I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. There have been many twists and turns, stopping and restarting. One of the biggest challenges has been that I tend to move in a certain rhythm—one that is more closely aligned with the way the natural world moves—and that doesn’t always translate easily to the demands of our culture, especially when it comes to business. Learning to honor my own rhythm while also finding a way to make a living has been a continuing learning process for me along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Sky Hawk Walks , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Through Sky Hawk Walks, I offer people opportunities to connect with nature and experience the natural world in a deeper way. I specialize in mindful nature experiences and Forest Bathing, a Japanese-inspired practice that helps people slow down, notice, and feel truly alive. I also offer nature-based life coaching, both outdoors and virtually.
Photography is also part of how I connect with the natural world. I love capturing the beauty and details of our amazing planet and sharing these images with others. I also enjoy creating art using natural materials, including tree bark I find on the forest floor. This has become another way for me to connect with and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
I am known for offering welcoming experiences for people from all walks of life and all different ability levels. I tailor each experience to the needs and desires of the individual or group.
I am proud that I have created work that is deeply connected to who I am and that helps people find their way back to nature—sometimes they do so through play, sometimes through contemplation, sometimes through healing, and sometimes through spiritual connection. What sets my work apart is that my experiences are not formulated. I meet people where they are and allow the experience to unfold naturally, guided by the person and what the moment has to offer.
I bring a heartfelt, authentic, and soulful presence to everything I do, creating space for people to connect with nature in whatever way is meaningful to them. I see myself as a guide, rather than someone who imposes my own way of experiencing or seeing the natural world on others. I give people the space to discover what feels meaningful to them and to see what can unfold when they slow down and allow nature to do its work.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I’m relatively new to creating and growing a business, so my advice would simply be to keep a beginner’s mind, be patient, have faith in the universe, and lean into what scares you instead of backing away from it. If you do back away, take another step forward and lean in again. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Stay curious, keep learning, and trust that things will unfold as they need to, in their own time.
Pricing:
- Individual Sessions – Forest Bathing / Nature Therapy / Mindful Walks & Hikes / Virtual Experiences Starting at $125/hour – Choose the length of your experience—from 1–3 hours or longer. Rates vary based on location. Choose the length of your experience—from 1–3 hours or longer. Rates vary based on location.
- Life Coaching $150/hour – Nature-based, in-person, or virtual Nature-based, in-person, or virtual.
- Group Programs & Events Rates vary based on group size, location, and length of event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skyhawkwalks.com
