FOREST BATHING OR SHINRIN YOKU is a practice of connecting with nature, pioneered in 1982 by Akiyama Tomohide, which enables people to interact with nature through all their senses as a means of achieving meditation, self-awareness and inner peace. Since then, various researchers have discovered the many health benefits of forest bathing in particular and nature bathing in general (Shizen Yoku).
We are not seeking to «learn» about nature in the way we would during other wonderful nature-based activities, such as identifying minerals, plants or birds. A large proportion of the activities offered during a Forest Bathing session are based on «FEELING» whilst we are «CONNECTED TO NATURE».
There are several ways to do this:
EXTEROCEPTION (5 Senses) – E.g. focusing our attention on what we hear by distinguishing between distant and nearby sounds, high-pitched and low-pitched sounds, etc.
INTEROCEPTION – Focusing attention on internal sensations, e.g. feeling one’s heartbeat
PROPRIOCEPTION – The position of our body in space. E.g. feeling the soles of our feet whilst walking mindfully
BALANCE PERCEPTION – Our body’s sense of balance. For example, observing how we balance ourselves whilst walking in different ways and at different speeds.
DO NOT CONFUSE A «FOREST BATH» WITH:
Hiking or a walk with friends
Identifying plants or rocks
Sports such as running in the countryside
Collecting items (mushrooms, fruit, etc.) without a second thought
Picnic
