Have you ever bathed in a forest?
Neither had I, not consciously anyway, not until recently. There is no need to take off your clothes and there are no water or soap involved. It is much better than that.
You get to bathe in the atmosphere of the forest, soak it in, and truly connect with the trees, the moss, the rocks, the critters around you. It is a magical experience that goes way beyond the physical senses, and the healing received can be profound.
Called Shinrin-Yoku, this practice was originally developed in Japan, and it translates to "taking in the forest" or "forest bathing".
Forest bathing is not a wilderness experience, it is not about hiking or exercising, or anything that you have to do, accomplish or reach. It is about relaxing in the present moment and opening yourself to a mindful connection with the nature around you through
multi-sensory experiences.
I think of Shinrin-Yoku as an (in)activity with a focused intent to defocus. At a time in our western history when life seems to be all about rushing and checking a million tasks off of our to-do lists, this beautiful practice gives you permission to leave your thoughts and concerns behind for a few hours and just be. This alone is very refreshing.
A leisurely guided walk along amiable paths, usually under forest canopy that, supported by a few light activities and meditations will "help you open your senses, hone your intuition, and experience the forest as you never have before."
These guided activities are called invitations, and intended to expand your experience, you can accept or decline them as feels best to you.
I had been yearning to be in a forest for some time, and then, a few months ago, through one of those synchronistic circumstances, I came across Shinrin-Yoku. When I checked the (beautiful) website to find out more, I saw that a series of seven walks in seven weeks that would take us through the transition of nature from winter into spring was starting soon, so I signed up for it. It turned out to be one of the best things I could have done for myself, and for many reasons: the pleasure and healing received subliminally, the reconnection with
nature in general and the forest in particular, and the beautiful friendships developed with kindred spirits attracted together by the same calling.
These are some of the known benefits of forest bathing:
- reduced blood pressure
- reduced blood cortisol levels
- increases in counts of natural killer cells that combat disease
- improved perception of vigor
- reduced stress levels
- increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
- accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
- increased energy level
- improved sleep
- deeper and clearer intuition
- increased flow of energy
- increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species
- increased flow of eros/life force
- deepening of friendships
- overall increase in happiness
- and much more.
If you would like to read about my experience in more depth, you can do so in a series of photo-rich articles I wrote to document each of the seven walks. You can discover the places we explored and the details of what Shinrin-Yoku can be. You can read about day one here, and at the bottom of the article you will find links to all the other days.
Everyone can practice and benefit from bathing in a forest, and I feel that everyone should. I have since decided to train as a Forest Therapy guide because I enjoy this practice so much, but also because I believe that humans are in desperate need to reconnect with
nature, both for their own well being and that of the Earth. Shinrin-Yoku is an easy, accessible and gentle way of reviving our relationship with the natural world, of which we are part after all, and learn to love it again. And you do not destroy what you love.
"I go to Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more."
- John Burroughs
Nature wants to heal us, if only we'd let Her.
ABOUT MONICA SCHWARTZ
Born and raised in Italy, Monica Schwartz is a photographer, artist, writer, world explorer, time traveler and aspiring teleporter.
She is also a former chef who still loves cooking and photographing good food, which she also shares through her blogs.
Connecting with Nature is an important aspect in all areas of her life, including her work, so much so that she recently trained as a Forest Therapy Guide so she can lead beneficial Shinrin-Yoku walks wherever her teleporting will take her.
After eleven years in Hawai'i, she recently moved to California with her two dogs in order to have more territory to explore. Hawai'i remains the home of her heart.
Monica can be reached at
