Forest Bathing Walk
Saturday, September 16 · 10:30am - 1:30pm PDT
Tickets: $50-$60
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. This practice is a simple yet powerful way for us to remember, and tap into these healing powers that are readily available to all of us.
Extensive research shows that Forest Bathing can offer relief from anxiety and depression, a deeper sense of mental relaxation, better sleep, an increased feeling of gratitude, and an overall sense of well-being. Scientific studies have also shown that NK cancer-fighting cells are highly elevated after a 3-hour forest bathing experience.
During this Forest Bathing walk, I will offer a set of carefully crafted invitations, and suggestions to slow down and experience the more-than-human world in a variety of possible new ways and through our senses. We won't be covering much distance ( less than a mile) and we will mostly be in silence. There will be brief periods of sharing and a tea ceremony and snack at the end with time for reflection and discussion.
Joey Heusler is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy guides and programs (ANFT). Her 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. Joey guides Forest Bathing walks in Marin County and beyond. Joey is also a lover of all things in and of the ocean. She has been volunteering at The Point Reyes as a Winter Wildlife docent for well over a decade. This is where she fell in love with whales, observing the gray whales from the lighthouse platform on their annual migration between Alaska and Baja. Joey became a Naturalist with the American Cetacean Society in 2015. Each year she organizes and guides a kayaking adventure in Baja to observe blue whales in the Sea of Cortez and gray whales and their calves in their breeding lagoons.
For more information visit Joey’s website, Explore in Nature at https://www.exploreinnature.com/
Questions? Contact the PRNSA Field Institute fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.