Shinrin-Yoku Therapy
Do you long to combine your mental health practice with your love of the outdoors?
Do you feel nourished by the natural world, and wish you could maintain this feeling once you are back in the city?
Are you stuck in your therapeutic journey and wish to try an Eastern approach to wellness?
Shinrin-Yoku, known in the West as “Forest Bathing,” is a mental health tradition originating in Japan. You are not actually bathing in the forest, but rather you are metaphorically soaking in the ambience of specifically chosen destinations in the wilderness.
The benefits of this intentional form of outdoor immersion comes from the philosophy of zen meditation, wherein you open your attention broadly to the present setting and only “think about not thinking.” Zen meditation does not encourage closing the eyes, but uniquely, encourages open senses, receiving the beauty of the surroundings.
Zen meditation teaches us how to be more receptive to the complex sensory inputs of the forest.
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The therapeutic benefits of Forest Bathing come not only from the mindfulness and meditation exercises built into this approach, but also our body’s physiological response to the natural setting.
The forest itself releases chemicals, called terpenes, that naturally lower stress and anxiety.
In the forest setting, with a combination of physical exertion to reach our destination, guided meditation, and ceremony, a higher level of consciousness is reached.
Shinrin-Yoku is so much more than a simple hike. It is about cultivating the connection to the outdoors and dropping into the sacred process of connecting with nature.
At Kairos, our forest bathing excursions are available both for individuals and groups, within a short drive from Boulder, CO. The sessions are led by a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, trained in Beijing. He unifies his own medical training with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of behavioral therapy that takes clients to a space of mindfulness and then guides conversations around goals, values, and our core sense of self.
Kairos Wellness Collective is cognizant of and sensitive to the fact that we are drawing from the philosophies of a culture that is not our own. We wish to celebrate, honor, and learn from the tradition of Shinrin-Yoku, but from a place of cultural humility.
Contact Us Today
Do you have questions about forest bathing? Contact us using the form below and we’d be happy to help.
Ready to try forest bathing?
If you would like to schedule an appointment or discuss your needs, you can call or text 720-310-0570, email admin@kairoswellnesscollective.com, or send a message here. Feel free to reach out by text or phone whenever is convenient. We will get back to you shortly to discuss goals, pricing, and schedule.