Forest Bathing
Gift yourself moments of silence while walking through the forest.
Our afternoon starts with a quiet reflective meditative walk through the forest some call it "Forest Bathing/Healing".
You will move slowly, focusing on your senses, quieting the mind, shifting to calm and inner peace. Letting go of all that no longer serves our highest good.
The Full Moon is a time to connect with your inner power of creativeness and align with the earth's lunar cycles and the rhythm of the earth.
This magical journey during the Full Moon energy, allowing you to reflect on stuff that is preventing you from manifesting your divine self.
Allow yourself to be showered with the aromatic airborne essential oils from the native evergreen trees that release high concentrations of "phytoncides" - which activates your body's army of white blood cells and boosts your own powerful immunity for weeks.
For example, the needles of pine trees are one of the highest sources of vitamin C, antioxidants, antiviral and antifungal.
See For(est) Yourself
Bonus
Learn the names of a few of the medicinal, nutritive, and edible trees growing in your back yard and the forest. Be introduced to the importance of native plants for biodiversity in your diet, and ethically sustainable harvesting practices.
"What is forest bathing? The term emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise called shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”). The purpose was twofold: to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests. While Japan is credited with the term shinrin-yoku, the concept at the heart of the practice is not new. Many cultures have long recognized the importance of the natural world to human health."
Trees and humans have a very special relationship. They are the elders in the community, our teachers, friends, and allies. Trees and plants are the healers and life-givers of the planet. We need them more than they need us.
Optional: We conclude with a hands-on medicine-making workshop. Where you will make and take home your own herbal tincture or infused oil from a plant or tree in the forest.
Forests have great therapeutic benefits for our body, mind, and spirit:
Your Guide
Quinnie Cook-Richardson of Quinnie's Kitchen and Sankofa Green Living Series loves to share her passion for wild edible plants as a food and medicine source. She teaches green-living lifestyle classes such as vegan food preparation, natural soap making, fermented foods, smudge sticks, herbal medicine making, and holistic living retreats just to name a few. She is also a vegan chef, doula, yoga teacher, reiki master, life coach, and embraces living a life in harmony with nature.
Visit her at Quinnieskitchen.com, Instagram @Quinnies.Kitchen, and Facebook @ Quinnies Kitchen
WHAT TO BRING
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Journal/paper and pen
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Water
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Snack
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BackPack/Hip Bag etc. (optional but will allow hands-free movement)
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Dress for a Hot Summer
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Day - We will be in the forest where it's shady *
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Dress in comfortable clothing. Wearing chakra Colors is A Plus.
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Consider we are in the forest so be prepared for the elements such as insects.
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Consider wearing long socks and long pants to protect your legs from insects.
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Wear Appropriate Shoes for Outdoors
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Rain Coat/Umbrella (optional check the weather predictions )
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Medication