 Shinrin Yoku, or the sacred practice of forest bathing, refers to the "interconnectedness of the forest and being fully engulfed in the abundance that surrounds you." (Julia Plevin) We came across Rise Gatherings while doing our retreat partnership outreach. The more we read about the incredible healing and empowerment offerings they were providing, the more we wanted to connect. After a couple of conversations, we were hooked! Forest bathing would now become part of the healing that we practiced and the healing that we offered. Tami recently held space with us on Instagram Live and led us through a forest bath meditation. While some might laugh at the term "forest bath" and call it "just a walk in the woods," I urge you to ask yourself, when is the last time you entered the forest and completely connected with all of your senses?  Most of us have felt the uplifting physiological sensations of being outside. The peace, calm, and tranquility of being at the beach, or on a hike, or simply sitting and reading a book in our backyard. Those sensations are the actual chemical compounds and negative ions in the plants and soil that surround you. Phytoncides are plant derived essences that help the plant fight disease and since we have evolved harmoniously with trees, they help us fight disease too. "Phytoncides are antibacterial, they reduce stress fifty-three percent and lower blood pressure five to seven percent." - Florence Williams Our bodies are always trying to maintain balance, and there are certain things that may disrupt our body's ability to do so. Things such as stress, poor nutrition, or trauma can cause the body to feel stuck or backed up. Grounding or earthing, is a form of balancing that helps us achieve homeostasis in the body. Negative ions from the earth balance out the positively charged human body, and create a sense of peace and calm. You can soak in these negative ions by putting your hands or feet directly on the grass or soil. Negative ions can also be absorbed through concrete, just so long as you don't have rubber soled shoes on, you can absorb these benefits daily!  We can also practice forest bathing through our stomachs. By tuning in to what goes onto our plates and into our mouth we can reconnect with the healing powers of the earth and our food. When is the last time you noticed the specific characteristics of your food? Characteristics like texture, color, flavor, and appearance? Where did your food come from? What did it go through to get to your plate?
Implementing new practices can be challenging...but it doesn't have to be! Working with a coach gives you the tools, support, and connection to make the changes that are necessary for your health and wellness. Ready to connect? Let's do this together!
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