SHINRIN-YOKU

To book a half day session sign up through Stone Harbor Wilderness or contact me directly.
                                                                                                    

The practice of Forest Bathing/Shinrin-Yoku (absorbing the environment) helps to replenish the vital energies by grounding and harmonizing with the natural rhythms of the earth.  There is a specific intention to connect with nature in a healing way.  Core routine practices such as sit spot, place tending, and cross-species communication help in our deepening relationship between humans and the more-than-human-world.

Walks are composed at a slow pace with the intention of interacting with the entire ecosystem and tuning into our own inner animal nature.  Through the process there is a deep biological soothing of the nervous system that helps to combat modern day technology stress. 


The effects have been scientifically proven to endure 7-30 days after a walk:

  • Boosted immune system functioning

  • Reduced cortisol levels

  • Lowers risks for heart disease, anxiety, depression, weight problems, and impairment in memory and concentration.

  • Reduced blood pressure and heart rate

  • Improved sleep

  • Enhanced sense of wellbeing

  • Reduced irritability

  • Heightened focus, even in children with ADHD

  • Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness

  • Increase in energy

  • Stronger intuition

  • Deepens connection with the land and its species

  • Widening connections and friendships through shared experience in a natural environment


Please come prepared with clothing suited for being comfortable in the outdoors; sturdy shoes, warm layers of clothing, water, etc.  We will be sitting for 20-30 minutes at the end of each session in a practice.  If you require something to sit on between you and the earth such as a mat or piece of plastic please bring that as well.  

All levels of age, fitness, gender, status, etc. are welcome.

Special Notes* Forest Bathing is NOT Hiking – it is taken at a very slow pace as it is mostly sensory-based (lots of time using the 5 senses – smell, sight, hearing, touch, taste). There is much time for contemplation, interaction with the environment, and resting. The purpose is to rejuvenate.
During PEAK BUG Season – Practice will be performed at the Beach on the BIG LAKE During PEAK BUG Season – This can be performed as a PADDLING Session 3 HIGHLIGHTS 1. Stress Reduction –purpose to relax rather than exercise. 2. Medicine (this walk is used as prescription medicine in many different countries around the world) 3. Connection – Develop a deeper connection with the nature (spend time listing to birds, the wind, cloud gazing, tree hugging, etc.

If you have questions of need more information please contact mzubinski@gmail.com

There is a very good article by the New York Times on Forest Bathing https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/well/take-a-walk-in-the-woods-doctors-orders.html  

This website is full of valuable information as well https://healingforest.org/2020/01/27/forest-bathing-guide/  


“Forest Bathing” as Health Care

“The average American spends 78% of their time indoors with at least eight hours a day looking at some sort of electronic screen,  and another 6% of time spent inside an enclosed vehicle or transportation mechanism.

Together, humans are spending approximately 84% of their time with minimal exposure to sunlight and long days without fresh air.”

https://happybodyformula.com/trend-alert-shinrin-yoku-a-k-a-forest-bathing/


Just a few hundred years ago humans spent most of their time outdoors in natural settings.  Our biology is wired to be in sync with the frequency of the earth. Fast-paced living, loud noise, electronics, and other pollution of urban areas stress our nervous system and can lead to many forms of illness.  

The good news is that much of this can be relieved by spending quality, purposeful time in wild and natural areas.

On a Forest Therapy Walk one “bathes in the forest” or “absorbs the environment.

 This includes slowing down, using “invitations” or prompts that require one to interact through the senses with the more than human world.

The movement of “Forest Bathing” (Shinrin-yoku) rose in the late 1980’s in Japan as response to tech-stress, overwork and a phenomenon known as "death by work."   To encourage healthier lifestyles, forests were specifically designated for therapy, which now has become Standard Preventative Medicine in Japan.


Regularly practicing Forest Bathing also stimulates playful curiosity, wonder, and fascination that sometimes can get lost in a heavy electronic culture.   It helps reminds us that we come from nature and are part of a much bigger web of life.  


“Because humans evolved in nature, it’s where we feel most comfortable, even if we don’t always know it.  During everyday life, a feeling of comfort can be achieved if our rhythms are synchronized with those of the environment.” Miyazki, chief researcher in the field.