FORB found forest therapy at Sutter's Landing Park by Kathy

*Shinrin-yoku Forest Therapy, the medicine of simply being in the forest. Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.*

Today, we were led into “the Forest” at Sutter’s Landing Park by Molly McBride, a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and passionate lover of the Sacramento and American Rivers.

After a small trek deeper into the forest, Molly instructed everyone to split into two’s and pick a spot be it near the river or in front of a tree.  One person would stand behind and ask the person in front (what do you see and what do you feel as you look deeper into your subject?)  Molly and Travis both saw a squirrel traversing an Oak tree eating it’s delicious buds!

Others were amazed with seeing rain drops fall into the river but not on them!  And another person noticed the movement of the trees and how that movement was mimicked when she looked into the river.

Our final instruction was for each of us to go off on our own to either sit or stand and contemplate a tree, the river or the grass.  A few people went toward the river and were gifted by the sight and sounds of a Sea Lion swimming downstream!

We gathered together to share our sights, sounds and feelings of whatever we were admiring over a cup of hot Chamomile Tea and some treats.  A toast was given to all that Sutter’s Landing Park with some of the tea poured onto a flowering plant near the trail.

I believe we all left inspired, joyful, grateful and happier because of this wonderful experience.  Thank you so much Molly for introducing us to Shinrin-yoku and for inspiring us to be present with Nature and all that it has to offer us!

Respectfully,

Kathy