We will resume our walks along the varied and lovely trails in Fort Worden later this fall. We will keep you updated. If you are not yet on our mailing list, sign up for the fall schedules!
What is “forest bathing”?
Well, forest bathing or “forest therapy”, is the art and science of “shinrin-yoku”, a delightful form of 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 Ellen, 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. Donations to our guide are enthusiastically accepted! Thank you in advance.
Forest Therapy Walks at Fort Worden State Park
- We will resume our local walks in September- stay tuned!
- This easy walk is intended to allow walkers to find nourishment in the body/mind, co-mingling with the life all around, taking time to pause, relax, breathe deeply, notice perhaps the intricacy and beauty of the natural world, including the wildlife that we encounter. The more present we are in ourselves, the less shy our fellow earthlings become. Donations to Olympic Peninsula Mindfulness are appreciated, either before the walk [cash], or below to use another form of payment.
- 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.
As we enter the ‘cathedral’ of the park’s spaces we walk comfortably together or apart. Our walk follows paths linking the woods and meadows. Several times we will pause, listen to a nature poem, read by Ellen Falconer, mindfulness teacher. Please wear clothing which will keep you warm and dry, as we may be sitting or standing about in wet, chilly, invigorating weather in the fall and winter.
Please consider a $10 donation to our guide, either by payment further down this page or by donation before the walk..
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.
