Hello forest friends, exciting news to share – Silvae Spiritus Co-Founder Leigha Horton was recently featured on Minnesota Public Radio detailing the benefits of forest bathing! (The full interview can be read or listened to here: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/11/22/forest-bathers-a-slow-hike-can-help-your-health) Entitled “Forest bathers: A slow hike can help your health” and presented by renowned local voice Euan Kerr, the piece offers a brief bit of history and context for the practice, before highlighting what participants can expect during a guided forest therapy walk with us.
An MPR recording crew accompanied Euan and Leigha as they experienced firsthand the ways in which this practice can deepen our connection with the rest of the natural world, as well as with each other and with ourselves. “This kind of took me by surprise,” said Vaughn Ormseth. “It was sort of like a different dimension.” A relatively widespread impression shared by first-timers, and one that touches on the depth of experience that is so readily accessible to forest bathers of all types and ability. By the time the group had finished they had not only spent time developing their personal relationship to Nature, but had also served as witness to one another during opportunities given to share what they might be noticing within the specifics of time and place which they found themselves. This aspect of sharing among the assembled group is something we refer to as “culture repair,” and is intended to offer balance to the sense of disconnection that has become an all-too-prevalent feature of modern life for a surprising number of people today.We’re happy that this story was able to reach people that had likely not ever encountered the notion of forest bathing before, and we’re constantly invigorated by the chance to spread awareness of this practice, and of the benefits which arise, for all the beings involved, when humans enter into relationships of reciprocity with the rest of the natural world. See you on the trail…