On the most basic level, forest bathing is a slow and quiet walk in the forest. It is not a workout—the typical forest bath does not cover much ground and moves at an unhurried pace.  While there is an option to share what we experience together, most of your time will be spent quietly without talking. A forest bath is an opportunity for you to connect with a natural environment and improve your health and well-being. 

The practice of forest bathing came from the Japanese (called shinrin-yoku), who researched the health benefits from spending intentional time in the forest. For example, they discovered that breathing in phytoncides, (scents emitted by trees), could actually increase NK (natural killer) cells. Research also showed improvements in other stress-related health markers such as blood pressure and heart rate, merely from spending quiet and contemplative time in the forest.

During a forest bath, you will “bathe” in the forest with all of your senses, such as noticing the scents or sounds.  Forest bathing allows our ways of perceiving and experiencing to shift and grow, perhaps reminding us of what we already know, or renewing connections with the natural world around us.  No two experiences are alike with this practice, and there is no “right” way to do it. You will be encouraged to explore the forest through a series of invitations, but always in a way that makes sense to you.

A typical forest bathing session lasts 2-3 hours, involves under a mile of walking, some standing, and some sitting.  You will want to dress in layers, and optionally bring a backpack, water, and a portable chair if you would prefer not to sit on the ground.   Your guide will provide sit pads.  There is nothing else you need!  Come discover what the forest has to offer you, as you are, in this moment of your life.