A forest bathing experience to wash away life's stresses and pain
Tired? Stressed? The Japanese art of forest bathing or “shinrin yoku” may be the cure for the ills of your urban life.
There are no bath towels, soap or candles in sight, because this involves slow and tranquil walks through pristine wilderness.
Australia now has three accredited guides in forest bathing, including Alex Gaut from SA’s Conservation Council.
“[The Japanese] have this word, karoshi, which means death by overwork,” she said.
“It was so bad they started working on ways to deal with the problem, so they were really the first to start developing this practice.”
The ABC joined a session at Belair National Park, outside of Adelaide.
Our small group stood still to meditate, concentrating on the sounds and smells of the bush, like the birdsong and the crisp winter breezes.
We then took a deliberately slow walk, running our fingers through leaves and branches, and focusing our eyes on the eucalyptus trees and mountain scenery.
“This is a way to really delve right down to say, ‘good grief look at that seed, look at that little dead leaf, look at that amazing insect, look at all the things that go on here’,” Ms Gaut said.
“It really concentrates the experience right in that moment of feeling and sensing … and everything else peels away.”
Source
ABC News
An Introduction to Shinrin Yoku
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