Practice 10: Forest Bathing

Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. The scientific benefits of this practice and related so-called nature connection practices are well-researched and described in many good books and papers on the subject in the resources section on the website. The episode itself invites you to find out for yourself how transformative a more immersive approach can be, one which embraces embodied experiences, either in groups or alone, in woods and forests near you. Go find the nature in you. Connect with the wild inside and out. Basically, go hug a tree. I dare you. These are the practices included in this episode: Sensory Storytelling 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Sensory Awareness Owl Eyes, Deer Ears, Fox Footsteps Sit Spot The World As Animate a note of care… …this episode contains a reference to some of the dangers of being out in the woods alone, for some more than others of us. It comes with a content note, because there are stories of sexual assault and racism… and a wee blessing… …may we be good ancestors, making it safer for our daughters to enjoy the freedom of forests undisturbed…may we be good relations, by leaving our forests more beautiful for the more-than-human-beings that also call them home and may we grow into relationship with a particular spot on this planet, may we care for it, let it care for us, and show us how to steward and be of service to the earth and all its critters around us…