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Guided Forest Meditation
Reconnect with nature in an immersive forest bathing experience. Escape the stresses of modern life for a few hours for guided forest meditation
Our modern lives have taken us as far away from nature as we can possibly be. We spend an average of eight and a half hours staring at screens daily, and most Europeans only spend half a day outside over the course of week.
Guided forest meditation, or forest bathing experience sets out to find some balance by fully immersing the five senses in a forest encounter.
In Japan, forest bathing, known as Shinrin Yoku, is prescribed by the medical profession. They counteract the effects of modern life by taking regular trips to the forest. Following that tradition with a twist of our own, the Reconnect With Nature experience includes the following aspects: a slow walk through the forest, taking time to stop and observe sights and patterns naturally occurring in nature, which have been proven by science to have a calming effect on the nervous system. We will also breathe in the scent of the forest, as each tree has its unique photo fixes, which has a powerful effect on mood, lowering anxiety and increasing the release of good hormones such as endorphins and serotonin. In fact, studies have found that “forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoku) has positive physiological effects, such as blood pressure reduction, improvement of autonomic and immune functions, as well as psychological effects of alleviating depression and improving mental health.
We will take time to explore how the forest feels beneath our feet with some barefoot time to ground us and reduce stress on the body. As we walk, we will collect edible elements from the forest, such as pine needles, nettle seeds, and many other healthful ingredients, which we will combine in into a tea to be enjoyed silently in a meditative moment at the end of the experience.
In a small clearing in the forest we will do some movement, Yoga stretches, deep breathing, open eye meditations, and enjoy the tea we have brewed along the walk. With all of our senses, we are fully immersed and present in the woodland experience for about two hours. However, if time constraints are an issue we can arrange a shorter session, during which we will highlight ways you can bring the forest into your home and continue to enjoy the benefits and delights of the trees.
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