Mother's Day Forest Bathing Walk
Slow down to engage with the forest and celebrate mothers in our lives as we explore our human connection to the Mother of us all.
Sunday, May 14 · 10:30am - 1:30pm PDT
Tickets: $15-$60
This forest bathing walk is a guided slow meander in the forest, intended to allow for a deep and meaningful connection with the natural world. Participants are encouraged to slow down and experience the natural world through their senses through a series of carefully crafted gentle invitations.
During this walk, we will especially celebrate mothers in our lives and explore human connection as well as the connection to the Mother of us all.
Children 6 years and older are welcome on this family 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.
Research shows that people who practice Forest Bathing experience relief from anxiety and depression, a deeper sense of mental relaxation, better sleep, and an increased feeling of gratitude and an overall sense of well-being. Forest Bathing also lowers blood pressure and heart rate, elevates NK cancer-fighting cells in the body, and it strengthens the immune system.
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.
You won’t need to bring much for our time together and you can keep your lunch, camera, and binoculars in your car.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the park and you want to be able to stay warm and dry during our times of stillness in the forest. You can carry a light pack with warm layers as well as a snack to enjoy towards the end of our time together. You can also bring a light stool or small mat to sit on the forest floor more comfortably.
Joey Heusler is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy guides and programs (ANFTA. Joey’s passion is bringing people of all ages into a place of stillness, where a connection with the natural world can be made from that deeper place.
Questions? Contact the PRNSA Field Institute fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.