Locations
What you need to bring:
• good walking / hiking shoes
• comfortable clothing
• a bottle of water
What is Forest Therapy or Forest Bathing?
Forest Therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “Forest Bathing.” Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and cognition. We build on those benefits and look beyond, to what happens when people remember that we are a part of nature, not separate from it, and are related to all other beings in fundamental ways.
Although we are inspired by the Japanese practice, our use of the terms Forest Therapy and Shinrin-Yoku do not mean a specifically Japanese practice. We mean spending time in nature in a way that invites healing interactions. There is a long tradition of this in cultures throughout the world. It’s not just about healing people; it includes healing for the forest (or river, or desert, or whatever environment you are in).
Based on recent research, Forest bathing seems to significantly mitigate the root cause of a multitude of ailments: stress. Excess stress can play a role in headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, and arthritis, among many other ailments.
What to expect on September 4th and 5th?
Our forest bathing walk will last about 2.5-3 hours long. We will move slowly, pause often and won’t go far, so a high level of fitness isn’t necessary. However, we will be sitting on the ground on various occasions.
We will meet up and head down the trail together. The Guide(s) will lead a sequence of invitations, for solo exploration or sometimes in pairs. These will support you in quieting your mind and awakening to the gifts of the forest. The invitations often prompt you to tune in to a particular sense — sight, hearing, touch, smell or even your “imaginal sense”.
The guide(s) will periodically call everyone back together and offer people the opportunity to share stories or insights from their explorations. There’s no pressure to speak when we gather together.
Who will be your guide?
Emmett Phil Coriat is a pharmacist and healthcare entrepreneur.
A few years ago, Emmett Phil found himself confronted with the epidemic of “disconnection” called burnout that is ravaging our societies.
After spending time with the Kichwa people of the Ecuadorian Amazon and retreating into nature for over a year, he became certified as a Forest Bathing / Forest Therapy (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy of California) and a Zhineng Qigong Teacher (Daohearts Foundation of China) with a mission to bring to people what nature has gifted him, for both his health and his life.
He is the founder of Nature and Leadership Inc.
