Sunday Mindful Movement Hike & Forest Bathing

A NEW EVENT! Come try it out and tell us what you think.

Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS) Volunteer, Nerissa "enerLeaf" Aquino, will provide access on this private sanctuary and accompany the group on a quiet stay in the healing woods - an individual forest bathing event:

What is Forest Bathing (also known as Shinrin-yoku)?
Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. ... It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a natural "pill" to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.

Here's a 2018 Time magazine article on Forest Bathing's Health benefits:
https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/#:~:text=Shinrin%20in%20Japanese%20means%20%E2%80%9Cforest,the%20forest%20through%20our%20senses.&text=It%20is%20simply%20being%20in,yoku%20is%20like%20a%20bridge.

1st) 30 minute casual hike into the forest on the Peach Orchard Trail to Hidden Pond then to the the stream crossing where Farm Loop trail picks up. We'll get to chat and briefly discuss the time together.

2nd) 45 minutes - attendees are invited to find a place of their own along the section traveled for their own forest bathing experience. Here are some suggestions:
~Mindful quiet Movement - stretches, yoga, creative expression, tai chi, nature dance, Movenat, close examination of the forest ecosystem, photography, green exercise
~Rest - take a nap against a tree, meditation, silent observations
~Reflection - journaling, drawing/sketching, prayer

3rd) 40 minute hike up to the Sunset Trail and back to parking area.

4th) Optional: Bring Your own Dinner picnic social (a refrigerator is available)

PARKING
Please park in the designated CSS grass parking lot. Look for large brown banner "Event Parking" signs and a yellow flag on Leader's car. It will have it's own separate grassy entrance beside stream and large round bale of hay very close to Big East Fork Road.
Please do not park at the farm adjacent to the 5400 property's entrance.

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Standard Notice/Liability Waiver (partial text)

Hold Harmless Agreement
In consideration for the permission and privilege to engage in activities on properties owned by the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS), Big East Fork Farms (BEFF), and Jonathan Oppenheiemr (JO), I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless CSS, BEFF, and JO from any suits, costs, damages, or loss while engaged in activities on property owned by CSS, BEFF, or JO...
All adult attendees will have to agree to and sign this waiver upon arrival.

Disclaimer
CSS organizers and volunteer staff are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking or recreating alone outdoors. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being.

By attending this CSS event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this event and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By attending this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to the CSS event against the organizers.

Covid-19 is still out there and spreading. So, PLEASE be respectful and follow all guidelines to stay safe and keep others safe and virus free. If you feel you have it and/or may be asymptomatic, please stay home and take care of yourself. if you are virus free, let's enjoy bathing in mother nature's beautiful energies!