Forest bathing/ ‘shinrin-yoku’ is a mindfulness practice for mental wellness and physical health, and sessions are taking place in Richmond Park this summer.
In forest bathing, first established in 1980s Japan by forest medicine expert Dr Qing Li, one may be absorbed in nature’s atmosphere and inner peace, learning also to be present through sensory activities, such as the cupping of hands round ears to amplify external sounds.
In ‘bathing,’ one is showering their senses in nature, and thereby connecting to nature through the senses.
Nature-lover, Linda Prigarska grew up in rural Latvia, and has been encouraging fellow Londoner’s to connect communally with nature since moving to London in her early 20s.
Since the pandemic, she has become a Certified Forest Bathing+ Guide, training at The Forest Bathing Institute, the leading UK body for research and training, providing gold standard qualifications to practise a unique blend of ‘shinrin-yoku’ and mindfulness, all backed by science.
Prigarska leads groups of up to 10 people on guided walks through Richmond Park, these groups are kept small to ensure a quality experience.
She is looking to extend her guidance across all London parks.
Prigarska said that having regular quiet time with nature (rather than passing through) can refresh the body and mind, having a positive accumulative effect.
There is a significant number of studies from Japan, which prove forest bathing can have numerous health benefits, including:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Lowered stress
- Improved cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Weight loss
- Lowered blood-sugar levels
- Improved concentration and memory
- Lifted depression
- Increased anti-cancer protein production
- Improved pain thresholds
- Improved energy
- Boosted immunity
Prigarska will be leading more walks, each lasting for three hours, on Saturday mornings between May and November this year, with tickets available on Eventbrite.
Alternatively, contact Prigarska via Instagram @lemon.rise
More information and booking links for corporate or one-to-one sessions will be available soon at rewildfromwithin.com
Credit for featured image: Ina Pace
