New Year, New You Forest Bathing + Fire-building Lesson with DNR Naturalist

3155 Walnut Woods Drive,West Des Moines IA 50265

07 January, 2023

Description

Start 2023 out with a commitment to personal wellness and growth! Experience the restorative wellness practice of forest bathing on a 2 hour walk with Intertwined Nature + Forest Therapy. End the walk with a free fire-building lesson from an Iowa Department of Natural Resources Naturalist, and enjoy a tea ceremony around the fire. Forest therapy (forest bathing) is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, an evidence-based wellness practice that has been around for decades. Forest bathing boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure and stress hormones, prevents and relieves stress and anxiety, and increases cognitive functioning. Guided forest bathing walks are appropriate for all ages. and abilities: less than a ½ mile is covered on each walk. Guides use techniques to support participants in entering a state of embodied awareness, moving through a series of “invitations” to support participants in tuning into each of their senses, allowing participants to move into a liminal space, and experience resulting wellness benefits. Read a little more about the practice here: Forest Bathing Could Be the Key to Feeling Better. Looking to bolster your outdoor skills, too? This event will end with a free fire-building lesson and demonstration from Anne Riordan, IDNR Naturalist. Participants will have time to enjoy the fire in this beautiful state park right in the Des Moines Metro area, with small bites and a taste of locally foraged tea. ***In the event of extreme weather, we'll notify participants of a postponement. The back-up date for this event is Sunday, January 22.***