Shirin Yoku (Forest Bathing) GROUP: up to 10 persons with registered guide

Autumn (Fall) / Winter is a PERFECT time to experience Forest Bathing

Shirin Yoku (Forest Bathing)

Experience the restorative practice of forest bathing at Carlton Gardens. Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature as you connect with the elements of nature: water, earth, air and your inner fire. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge amidst the beauty of the natural world.

This Group Pass allows you to invite up to 10 others.

Let go of stress and embrace a sense of calm and tranquility in the heart of the city.

Your Forest Bathing Guide

Our Guides are qualified Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and are registered with the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT). ANFT Guides are trained in using the 'standard sequence' and crafting Invitations, which are techniques designed to maximise the benefits of Forest Bathing.

What is Forest Bathing?

In Japanese, Shinrin, 森林浴, 森林 means “forest” and Yoku 浴 means "bath" or "bathing”.

Forest Bathing involves 'bathing' in the healing phytoncides (chemical compounds) created by trees to promote human wellness. The practice is a science-informed nature-based therapy that has well and truly 'landed' as a valid way to promote health and improve wellbeing.

The proven benefits of Forest Bathing can: reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and anger; strengthen the immune system; improve cardiovascular and metabolic health; and boost overall well-being.

When Forest Bathing is led by a qualified Guide the experience can also establish a meaningful connection between the participant and nature that can reveal a life purpose, help solve a problem, improve creativity, and open a doorway to developing your own eco-spirituality.

What Happens in a Typical Forest Bathing Session?

[See the Agenda for a schedule]

Forest Bathing involves a gentle guided exploration in nature.

During the session, participants are offered Invitations. Invitations are activities crafted in real-time and draw on the unique characteristics of the present moment: weather, light, contours of the land, and even the mood of the participants. Invitations engage the senses of touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight. They might involve a slow walk, sitting under a tree, interacting with water and flora and observing fauna. An Invitation can be silent and calm or playful and fun.

Invitations loosen the connection between you and digital time and connect you with nature-time and natural rhythms. This experience down-regulates the nervous system which can feel calming and restorative.

Whatever Invitation you are offered will enhance your experience and allow you to connect with nature in a new way.

On The Day

[You will be sent further details of your session including the official start time, meet location, what to bring, parking options, toilet locations, and more].

In general, during each walk you need:

• Walking shoes (some invitations invite you to remove your shoes);
• Water bottle;
• Pen and notebook;
• Appropriate clothing for weather conditions; and
• A hat and sunscreen.

Note that the walk will be canceled if the weather conditions are deemed to be too dangerous.

The video below is an interesting account of Forest Bathing as experienced by two novices curious to learn more. One thing to note, the Forest Bathing / Shinrin-yoku experience involves no hiking, no exertion, no elevation. It is an entering into nature, a slowing down, a time to connect with nature using all the senses.