Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Immersion Practice in Live Oak

979 17th Avenue,Santa Cruz CA 95062

07 May, 2022

Description

Gather in the woods and wetlands by Schwan Lake for a gentle stroll. Open your senses, using methods shown to improve well-being. Join us as we are ‘bathed’ or immersed in the sensory experiences of time among trees. Shinrin-yoku (a.k.a. forest bathing or forest immersion) involves mostly walking slowly through a wooded area, incorporating plenty of chances for standing still or sitting while you appreciate the details of the beauty around you, taking time to reconnect with the natural world. We will start with a brief explanation of shinrin-yoku practice, plus an opening ceremony and a brief meditation to prepare us. Then we’ll spend an hour or more quietly, gently and reverently immersing ourselves in the sensory experience of the woods, walking at our own pace. At the end, we’ll re-assemble and share insights from our experiences. We will meet in the parking lot behind Simpkins Family Swim Center on 17th Avenue in Santa Cruz. Novasutras encourages wellness practices like shinrin-yoku to keep us resilient and engaged with earth care, community, and climate justice work. Come join your fellow activists and others who hold the living world in reverence for this restorative practice. Your registration includes a subscription to the Novasutras Newsletter (eight times per year) and Novasutras Santa Cruz emails, plus occasional emails about Novasutras events.Our events are offered in the gift economy – donation is not expected, but always welcome! You can help us most by offering monthly support via Patreon. Alternatively, please consider making a one-time donation via PayPal or in person at the event. About Your Guide Michelle Merrill, Ph.D, founded Novasutras as an exploration of how we can connect with, learn from, and teach each other to co-create a more regenerative, resilient culture. She is an Insight Timer meditation instructor, a writer, a community organizer, a workshop facilitator, and a public speaker with a background in anthropology, ecology and evolutionary biology. Learn more...