December 21: Winter Solstice
Celebrate and honor the energy of the winter solstice and the renewing of the cycles of life. On this shortest day (and longest night) of the year, the Earth turns toward the light and we take our lead from Mother Nature; slowing down our bodies and minds to the rhythm of the forest.
This mindfulness practice is based on Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) which is the scientifically backed Japanese tradition of nature immersion used to benefit
one’s physical and mental health.
The gentle and slow meander will be less than a mile and competed with a special foraged hot tea around the fire.
And you are invited to linger around the fire pit
to watch the winter starts come out.
January 1, 2024: New Year's Day
Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku,
the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, forest bathing walks invite guests to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing
for ourselves, our ecosystems, and our community.
What a beautiful and meaningful way to
begin the New Year.
What is a guided Forest Bathing Walk?
Forest Bathing Walk
Benefits of Forest Bathing
Benefits of Forest Bathing
A Forest Bathing Walk is a mindful practice of being in nature for our own wellbeing and that of the planet’s as it invites connection to all of life. It is a waking up to our wholeness, to our belonging to the Earth community and to our place in a vast universe.
A leisurely short walk on a woodland trail, with stops along the way. Through a series of carefully crafted invitations,
we will focus on our senses to develop a rich connection with nature. This is a slow, mindful way of
walking and being in the forest.
As we walk in the forest, we will be slowing down, opening our senses, and relaxing into the present moment.
We will notice and enjoy the forest and the natural world, but this isn’t an educational naturalist walk and it isn’t a hike – we won’t even go very far at all.
Only relatively recently in evolutionary history have so many of us humans lived largely indoors – is it any wonder that our bodies, minds, and souls crave the outdoors?
We are modern people of words, of scripture, of science, of explanations and understandings, but we are at essence creatures. On these guided walks,
we will remember that we are not “visiting” nature,
but fellow beings with the plants and trees, critters, and even the rocks and soil and sky and Earth itself.
Benefits of Forest Bathing
Benefits of Forest Bathing
Benefits of Forest Bathing
The practice of being in nature and among trees is something we, as humans, have been doing since our evolution. We co-evolved with life. It’s no wonder we benefit from spending time in nature. And here’s the key—it’s not just going outdoors, but rather HOW you are outdoors.
Are you doing or are you being?
Research around the world is casting light on how spending time outdoors (and specifically in forests)
makes us healthier.
Below is a list of holistic health benefits:
- Boosted immunity—increase in our natural killer cells (immune system) and anticancer proteins
- Reduced stress (lower cortisol levels)
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved mood (serotonin increases)
- Improved mental health (reduced anxiety and depression, improved self-esteem)
- Lowered blood pressure and heart rate
- Improved sleep
- Deactivated sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
- Activated parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)
- Regulated blood sugar
- Improved concentration and short-term memory
- Increased creativity
- Fostered understanding of interdependence
- Increased feeling of social connection and empathy
- Improved spiritual well-being
What particiipants say
“I loved the forest bathing gathering. I have noticed a change in the quality of my daily walks in the woods, and the impact on the rest of my day and week. I am also doing a lot of reflecting about this larger family of living things I feel more connected to.”
“What a lovely experience. It's not something I would have imagined doing, so that made it even more delightful.”
“I highly recommend a forest bathing walk with Stephanie. She is a skilled and kind facilitator, and the beautiful land that she stewards with her husband is a gift to connect with. I felt very calm and peaceful for many days after the experience.”
“Thank you again for the forest walk last week. I left feeling refreshed and at peace. With your guiding, you created a warm, welcoming space for us to open our senses to the wonders of nature and to connect with ourselves and others. I am grateful. And I look forward to your next offering.”
“It really challenged me. I don’t stop much, and it really forced me to stop and think and sense things around me which I just don’t do.”
“There's nothing quite like being given permission to hug a tree and notice the scents of various mosses. And what a gift to be given the time to listen to the sound of silence.”
"Soft soil silences my steps as if to say 'Shh, this is sacred ground.' Maples, sycamores, and cedars line the trail. Limbs reach heavenward, forming a perfect arch. Forest Bathing led by Stephanie is a quiet walk through nature to experience the touch of a tree, the smell of lichens, the sound of a babbling brook, and a thousand hues of green. It resets your internal clock and opens your heart to new experiences and gifts."
"Stephanie is a consummate guide, gently prodding you along as you connect more deeply with nature. The experience was restorative."
