Heart Centered Forest Bathing Walk

55 Main Street,Hamden CT 06514

12 February, 2023

Description

Forest Therapy is an evidence-based relational practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing.” In Forest Bathing, people spend time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness. Forest Therapy provides a pathway for people to remember how to immerse themselves in nature to rest from all that consumes them in their daily lives. This will be a gentle guided practice . At the end of the practice I will prepare tea and a snack for us to share. The event is limited to 10 participants, with advance registration required.  I've included additional details below . If cost is a barrier to attendance please message me. We wouldn't want you to miss this practice because of lack of funds, and could offer sliding scale. Looking forward to meeting you soon! Kristine Weidner, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide What to Expect Forest therapy walks are not hikes . This will be a gentle slow paced walk , at times we may also be sitting, where you will be invited to connect with nature through a series of sensory based invitations. The entire walk is 2 hours in duration and often covers no more than a 1/2 -1 mile distance. At the end I will prepare a tea and snack for us to share. I'd like invite you to leave behind your phone, music, camera, and other distractions, and come into the present moment. What to Bring Dress warmer than the weather calls for and bring layers. Wear a warm waterproof winter coat, boots, hats, gloves so that you are comfortable being outside for 2 hours. You may want to bring a small backpack with additional items which may include something to sit on (yoga mat, camp stool) and a lap blanket. I will also bring some of these items to share in case you don't have them. Parking and Vehicle Access Lake Wintergreen, 40 Main St., Hamden: A central access location for most park users is the gravel parking lot near Lake Wintergreen at 40 Main St., Hamden. Driving Directions from Route 15: • Directions: From Rt. 15, take Exit 60, and turn right to head south on Rt. 10 (Dixwell Avenue) for 0.3 miles. At the next traffic light past the parkway, turn right on Benham Street and take this to the end (2 miles). Then turn left on Main Street and head south for 0.9 miles. At the turn in the road, turn right into the parking area. This parking lot holds about 40 cars, but often fills up on a good weather weekend. • Alternatively, those driving on Route 15 North, may wish to take Exit 59, especially if there is a traffic backup leading to the tunnel. While using Exit 60 is a longer drive, the drive from Exit 60 is more pleasant because there are far fewer traffic lights involved. • From Exit 59, head south on Rt. 69 to the merge with Rt. 63 South and continue to Blake Street (1.1 miles). Turn left on Blake Street, then left at the traffic light onto Springside Avenue. At the stop sign past the New Haven Job Corps, turn left on Wintergreen Avenue. Go past the main entrance and the overpass for Route 15, go around the sharp bend, and up the hill to Main Street, just past Wintergreen School. Turn left on Main Street (Look for a small wooden "Lake Wintergreen" sign on the telephone pole). At the bottom of the hill, head straight into the parking lot. (Do this carefully because this is a blind curve and cars coming from the other direction can easily surprise you.) If the parking is full, street parking is available nearby on Valerie Court, off Main Street near Wintergreen Avenue. During non-school hours, park at the Wintergreen Elementary School, 670 Wintergreen Ave., Hamden, just south of Main Street. Valerie Court is a 0.1-mile walk to Lake Wintergreen, while the school is a 0.25-mile walk. While there is no sidewalk, the shoulder is flat for walking. The school building is home to two Hamden Public Schools programs: the Alice Peck Learning Center (an early childhood program) and the Hamden Collaborative Learning Center (an alternative high school).