http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
Shinrin-yoku is a term
that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was
developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of
preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers
primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a robust body of
scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time under the
canopy of a living forest. Now their research is helping to establish
shinrin-yoku and forest therapy throughout the world.
The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved.
We have always known this intuitively. But in the past several decades there have been many scientific studies that are demonstrating the mechanisms behind the healing effects of simply being in wild and natural areas. (some of this research is available here). For example, many trees give off organic compounds that support our “NK” (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system's way of fighting cancer.
The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved.
We have always known this intuitively. But in the past several decades there have been many scientific studies that are demonstrating the mechanisms behind the healing effects of simply being in wild and natural areas. (some of this research is available here). For example, many trees give off organic compounds that support our “NK” (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system's way of fighting cancer.
The scientifically-proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku include:
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We recognize that forest
therapy approaches such as Shinrin-yoku have roots in many cultures
throughout history. John Muir wrote, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken,
over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the
mountains is going home. Wilderness is a necessity.” He is one of many
people who we include when we think about the origins of the practice.
Our approach to Shinrin Yoku Forest Therapy combines leisurely walks on gentle paths under forest canopy with guided activities and meditations to help you open your senses, hone your intuition, and experience the forest as you never have before. We draw upon mindfulness meditation practices, and the techniques of deep nature connection mentoring. We also use the Way of Council for group discussions at several points along the walk, which helps participants learn from and teach other as we discuss what we are experiencing together.
Our approach to Shinrin Yoku Forest Therapy combines leisurely walks on gentle paths under forest canopy with guided activities and meditations to help you open your senses, hone your intuition, and experience the forest as you never have before. We draw upon mindfulness meditation practices, and the techniques of deep nature connection mentoring. We also use the Way of Council for group discussions at several points along the walk, which helps participants learn from and teach other as we discuss what we are experiencing together.
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