Finding Deep Connection: A Forest Bathing Walk

Forest Bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which can be loosely translated to “taking in the medicine of the forest”.

This practice was established in the 1980s in Japan as a direct response to declining health in the population. The healing energies of the natural world have been known for centuries. Forest bathing is a simple yet powerful way for us to remember, and tap into these healing powers that are readily available to all of us.

During this Forest Bathing walk, I will offer a set of carefully crafted invitations to encourage slowing down and experiencing the more-than-human world in a variety of possible new ways and through our senses. We will be covering less than a mile of distance and we will mostly be in silence. There will be brief periods of sharing and a tea ceremony towards the end with time for reflection and discussion.

Joey Heusler is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy guides and programs (ANFT).