Forest Bathing / Spirit Walk
Immerse in Nature for Well-Being and Growth
The Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) invites you to be at one and at peace in the tranquility of the forest. The sights and scents of the trees, the light and sounds all invoke a profound sense of connection with the more-than-human world and with yourself.
Forest bathing is a mindful practice of nature connectedness to enhance emotional and physical well-being. It is based on research that is increasingly showing the physiological and psychological benefits of exposure and deliberate connection to nature. We also design forest bathing walks to promote connection with others and ourselves.
I lead forest bathing experiences in the beautiful Colorado mountains. Forest bathing walks are intentional and relaxed and allow you to stop and be at one with the natural world.
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No water involved. Forest bathing is a way of immersing you in the natural world to enhance your awareness of and connection to the more-than-human world, yourself and others. A forest bathing walk is a slow mindful walk with frequent stops to open and attune our senses to our surroundings. There are often some additional activities, wanders, or periods of stillness to further this attunement. It is not a hike. Although we may be out for two to three hours, we may not even walk a mile.
Considerable research has demonstrated the physical, mental and emotional benefits of being in nature, and additional research has shown that including mindful practices or moments in nature enhances those benefits.
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While I thoroughly enjoy forest bathing as a wellness practice, I love to add some elements of spiritual growth or soul discovery to create what I call spirit walks. These walks often revolve around a spiritual theme informed by the season or the Jewish calendar. Although they may use the Jewish calendar as a prompt, the themes are universally human, and I weave them into the walks in an ecumenically accessible way.
Participants have walked away from my walks feeling much more alive, grounded, present, at ease and joyful.
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Frankly some people just use these walks as motivation to spend time in nature. While that is a perfectly valid motivation, there are reasons why you might want to do these walks versus just going for a hike. You may be inspired by the particular theme of the walk and want to listen for what the natural world can teach you about that theme. Some themes have included death work, love, and return to the Divine (teshuvah in Hebrew). Perhaps you long to return to or enhance your relationship with the natural world or build more capability for awakening this relationship. Maybe you would just like to invite more spaciousness into your life or are looking for spiritual connection and would like to do all of this in community. There could be many other reasons as well that this small sample doesn’t include.
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Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, snacks (if you’d like), and rain gear if the weather looks potentially wet. Sometimes I suggest people bring journals as well.
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No. As mentioned above, we don’t hike or walk far. There are some uphills, but we’re generally on fairly smooth trails. You should be comfortable walking for two miles on variable terrain.
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I generally do these walks in various open spaces and public lands in the foothills 30-45 minutes outside of Denver.
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I ask for compensation of $36 for a two to three hour walk experience. This is flexible and often I ask for what your heart is moving you to provide.
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Yes. I’m very open to designing a walk that will suit your needs or desires.
Curious? Contact me.
“I loved your walk. I was so inspired with the land, the poetry, the symbolism, the connection on all levels”
— Paula G -- California