Each month Wild Alabama’s Janice Barrett collaborates with poet, author, and teacher Anne Markham Bailey, a certified Forest Bathing Guide and founder of Forest Bathing Alabama to offer day-long session in what the Japanese call Shinrin Yoku, or literally translated, wood-air bathing, or forest bathing. A forest bathing session is not a hike but rather is an opportunity to open into a deep awareness of being in the forest, in one’s self, and in the shared, sacred space. We move in silence, open the senses, and connect to the earth, the water, the trees, and to our own interiority. Time for writing, sketching, movement, or meditation is built into the day. The guides offer invitations for connection that alternate with group sharing circles. The session concludes with a final sharing circle and hot tea ceremony. . For ages 16 and over. Contact us for arranging a session with younger participants. Please watch this short video by Anne Bailey about Forest Bathing. The recorded Forest Bathing webinar that Wild Alabama hosted in early July 2021 may be viewed here.
To see when our upcoming Forest Bathing hike is be sure to check out our events page here.
Location in the Bankhead National Forest will be revealed to those who sign up. The forest bathing walk is a total walking distance of about 1.25 miles round trip on a trail that is unmaintained, uneven and sloped (gradual downhill most of the way in, gradual uphill most of the way out). The route will be easily doable for most people who hike. Bring lunch, snacks, drinking water, a journal and/or sketchbook and pen, a small pad or cloth for comfortable sitting or lying down. A detailed list of what to bring and directions will be emailed to those who sign up. Participants in this contemplative forest immersion will enjoy guided meditation, silence, invitations and suggested techniques for connection to the elements through the senses, deep rest, reflection and tea. Group size is limited to five. No dogs and no smoking, please.
Enjoy. Value. Protect. Wild Alabama's mission is to inspire people to enjoy, value, and protect the wild places of Alabama.