We will resume our monthly walks along the varied and lovely trails in Fort Worden on April 4th. We are adding- new- monthly Low Tide walks starting April 18th! If you are not yet on our mailing list, sign up for reminders before each event!
What is “forest therapy”?
Well, forest bathing or “forest therapy”, is the art and science of “shinrin-yoku”, a delightful form of quiet, contemplative walking in a wooded area, gently connecting us to the natural world through actively engaging our senses. Sound, sight, smell, taste and touch can heighten our awareness of the intricacy of the life all around us. Intentionally paying attention-while walking slowly, ‘and pausing often- can help us notice so much more than walking to ‘get somewhere’.
The health benefits of forest therapy are numerous: Moving our muscles increases the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids, which helps decrease blood sugar and blood pressure. Our lymphatic system is primarily moved as muscles contract, and that helps rid us of waste products more quickly. Trees emit phytoncides, which are their way of fending off germs and insects…and, happily these aromatic oils stimulate our “natural killer cells”- which are lymphocytes able to bind to bacterial and virus-infected cells and tumor cells, and kill them! NK cells are unique: they have the ability to recognize stressed cells in the absence of antibodies, which allows for a much faster immune reaction.
Forest Therapy Walks
Explore the paths and trails around Port Townsend and the Olympic National Forest with your guide, who will share nature poetry and a guided meditation along the way. Please leave your cell phones and furry companions behind. This is a time to be quiet, to sink into the natural silence of the woods with less of the usual distractions. We will gather just before 10am at the Commons Bldg; 210 Battery Way- where the cafe “Planted at Reveille” is located- as are restrooms! A $10-$20 donation to support our guide will be enthusiastically accepted! Thank you in advance.
LOW TIDE Walks~ NEW!
We will walk along the beach starting at the North Beach County Park, at the end of Kuhn Street, Port Townsend. Each walk will start at 10am and go approximately 2 hours. Please refer to the schedule below for the dates. A $10 – $20 donation to support OPM and our guide will be enthusiastically accepted.
Forest Therapy Walks at Fort Worden State Park
Please contact us if you would like to schedule a “private” walk with friends and family. The length and time of the walk can be reserved to fit your needs.
If you wish to express your gratitude for our local forest therapy “baths”, you can pay the guide in-person, by Venmo (@Ellen-Falconer), or donate here, via PayPal.
Ellen recites “When I am Among the Trees” by Mary Oliver
Forest Therapy along the Upper Dungeness River
“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding”
– FLUENT, by John O’Donohue. Photo of the Lower Big Quilcene River.
