Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing, or taking in the forest atmosphere) was developed in the 80’s in Japan where nature deficit disorder had been on the rise, just like most other developed countries. Nature deficit disorder is the outcomes from time spent not in nature. Exposure to the life force of trees and plants helps improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, as well as other benefits.
Connection to nature is one of the pillars of our vital health. Forest bathing activities aid our health under this pillar, as well as the following benefits:
* Emotional centeredness
* Stress reduction
* Increasing metabolism
* Lowering blood pressure
* Reducing heart rate
* Stabilizing breathing
* Enhancing focus, memory, & cognitive skills
* Support in task initiation
Forest bathing is an integral part of health care in Japan and South Korea. Qing Li, a medical doctor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo and one of the world’s experts in forest medicine and immunology proved that forest bathing stimulates the activity of natural killer cells and anticancer proteins, thus strengthening the immune system. In South Korea, there are at least 40 “Healing forests”.
As a Yasei Shinrin Yoku (Wild Forest Bathing) Practitioner, Lindsey guides participants in NW Washington through soft exercises, meditation, breath-work, exploration in the forest, personal visioning, and more. Lindsey is sensitive to forest energies and understands the methods by which the natural world connects with human beings. As a holistic practitioner, Lindsey weaves in elements of medical qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbalism, and integrative life coaching.
This online class will focus on one important aspect of Yasei Shinrin Yoku, the 6 different elements of forest-based communication - What they are, how to recognize them, and how to work with them for your own healing and practice. Lindsey will work with you on weaving any current wellness objectives into this session and help you create new health-promoting forest bathing integration goals and plan during this session.
Do keep in mind that these exercises can be applied to other ecosystems beyond the forest. The natural world has the ability to plant ideas within our consciousness. It is truly amazing what nature has to teach us when we slow town and tune into a frequency that is actually more true to our own nature and has been there all along.