Forest therapy is a practice of deep nature connection, of slowing down and being present to the moment to experience the natural world. It is a gentle practice of being led by your sensory experience and following your curiosity.
The experience of forest bathing, is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, which started in the early 1980s. Shinrin Yoku literally translates to taking in the forest or nature with your senses or ‘Forest Bathing.’
As participants open themselves to all that nature offers, they often benefit from the healing features of a natural environment including feeling relaxed and renewed.
* A note on the origins of Forest Therapy (from GIFT website):
The modern concept and experience of forest therapy formally started in the early 1980s in Japan with Shinrin Yoku (pronounced ‘Sheen-deen yoh-koo). Literally translating to ‘Forest Bathing’, the initial observations and then subsequent research demonstrated direct health benefits to immersing oneself in the healing features of a natural area. Of course, this is the modern Japanese version of the story. Indigenous cultures the world over have gone to nature to find not just sustenance and survival, but also for reasons of healing and spiritual connection.
Benefits
Research has shown that nature has many physical and emotional healing qualities. While research is continuing to develop and more is always needed, studies strongly indicate that health benefits of being outside in nature include: boosted immunity, reduced blood pressure, increased heart rate variability and mood stability.
What to expect on a Forest Bathing walk
During our time together, we may do some walking, you will have time for personal connection and reflection in nature and there will be some time spent together in a group. I will use gentle “invitations” or practices to facilitate a deepening of connection to nature through your senses. The practices will be done on your own, with opportunities to share with the group, as you feel comfortable.
It is not a hike or an exercise activity – there are no goals to be attained – and it is also not a nature focused walk where we identify plants or animals. It is a gentle practice of moving slowly. It is a time for deep nature connection.
After a walk, you may leave in a different place than where you started, benefiting from the healing aspects of deep nature connection and moving toward greater sense of caring for yourself, others and the other than human world. You may also experience some of the health benefits of being in nature, including relaxation and stress release. This time in nature may also open space for you to deepen into your journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth and connection to the natural world.
Nature Repair
One of the hopes of shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, forest therapy is that with time spent in nature, we come into deeper connection with the natural world. This connection becomes relationship which leads to caring deeply about and for the natural world.
Okanagan Forest Therapy 