Practitioners’ Experiences of the Influence of Bonsai Art on Health

Abstract: Bonsai art refers to the cultivation of a miniature tree. This study was motivated by

the hypothesis that bonsai art may also be an ecopsychological, therapeutic practice that can have

meaningful healing qualities. An international online survey elicited the meaning of bonsai art for

255 skilled bonsai practitioners. Questionnaires and interviews were used to elicit the experiences of

participants. The findings supported the hypothesis that, for skilled practitioners, bonsai art was

associated with meaningful healing experiences. In particular, the evidence suggests that bonsai

art facilitates improved ecological, spiritual and emotional awareness, as well as various healing

dimensions, including aesthetic creativity, resilience, adaptability, and social, physical, and personal

health. It is viewed as an intervention technique that requires few resources, is easy to apply, and has

a minimal impact on any environmental setting. The conclusions drawn point to the ethically sound

health promotion value of bonsai art in various settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, retirement

homes, rehabilitation centres and prisons.

Keywords: intervention; ecopsychology; art therapy; mental health; health-seeking behaviour