Summer Wellness Day

HINOKI Forest Bathing is more than a walk in the woods. It’s a mindful sensory journey that opens us up to nature’s offerings, providing restoration for our wellbeing. When we forest bathe, we intentionally create space and time in our busy lives to slow down and reconnect with nature. Through this journey of reconnecting with nature, we also begin to see that we are a part of nature and find we begin to feel more rested and calm on the forest floor under the canopy of trees. We also find calm and relaxation through a series of guided mindfulness invitations. By the end of the forest bathing slow walk (of no more than 1 mile), you will find reciprocity with nature, a natural and valuable connection with nature.

Forest bathing originated in Japan, where it is called shinrin yoku. Research in Japan has shown forest bathing to improve our physiology, such as enhancing our immune system, stabilising blood pressure, lowering stress, improving sleep and concentration, as well as improving our wellbeing.

Our session will start with an introduction and explanation of the benefits of forest bathing, and continues with a slow walk through an area of the woodland of no more than one mile in total, with many stops for sensory invitations and sharing circles, and ends with a beautiful Japanese influenced woodland tea ceremony.