Many people go to Mount Tam few go off the main, popular trails. Even fewer, precious few, go not just to hike but to slow down and bathe in the mountain and forest environment. There, dropping into the sensory experiences provided by the trees, bushes, grass, and stones soothes us in a way that's hard to find elsewhere. The light reflecting off dancing leaves and trickling creeks entrances us, or the fog blows in, thrilling us with the power of wind and pushing us to imagine what it's like for those plants and animals who call the forest home, to live in such a naked expression of the earth's elemental art. We return to the human world feeling recharged, restored and renewed -- a feeling that lingers for days... until we are called to return to the forest for more.
Forest bathing is a movement that began in Japan as an intuitive practice whose wellness benefits have been subsequently revealed by research. Japanese health insurance now even provides for people to hire forest bathing guides.
Forest bathing can reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve sleep, mood, and sense of wellbeing.
Mostly forest bathing is about getting out of the way to let the forest do the work, but there are some established practices that deepen the experience.
For our meeting, I will show you a very quiet and beautiful side of the mountain, yet still easily accessible from a main parking area.
During this time you will be asked to:
Spend some time walking in silence
Listen to the sounds of the forest
Stop and enjoy various picturesque meadows, creeks and groves
Sit and lie on the ground
Hug trees
The ability to walk over varied terrain for up to 3 miles is a necessity. There is not much elevation change, so the hike would not be classified as strenuous.
To bring: hat, jacket, ability to layer (could be hot, could be chilly), good shoes
