This morning we participated in forest bathing led by the guy’s friend who is a trained therapist. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a mindful Japanese practice of soaking in the forest atmosphere through your senses to lower stress, reduce blood pressure and boost immunity. It was held from 9 am to 12 noon at Boffins Public Garden at the University of Saskatoon.
For the most part, I was mindful, bathed in the nature around me. It was hard to be fully immersed in the there and then. There’s this wanting to capture, have and hold. I haven’t learned yet to just experience with my senses and hold it within my body. Hence these photographs for this day 26 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
onethousandandtwo 
Lily, what a wonderful outing! Did you feel different after it? We have known for a number of years that DHEA, the master hormone, is stimulated by natural environments and by being barefoot on natural ground. So now, making a point of being in nature can be called “forest bathing”, and yay! Being barefoot on natural surfaces is now called “earthing”, and yay! Whatever makes people mindful of these options for becoming stronger and healthier. And the Public Gardens are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing this adventure. Maybe many others will follow suit.
I’m not sure if I felt any different after. I felt I was at home while I was there. It was as if that is what it felt like to belong. I felt part of my surroundings.
Beautiful.
how beautiful! It looks so serene.
I can imagine that it would take a few sessions to be able to shut out the outside world totally and get the full benefits.
It was very nice to have a guide.
Hi Lily,
Your pictures show that you have done a great job of capturing and now you have something to hold and take home with you.
As for Kebba’s comment about walking barefoot, the first thing I noticed was the mulch on the ground in the first photo. I would not want to walk barefoot on that.
I see from the last photo that you decide to sit and put your feet up and I am glad you did not take your shoes off.
Glad you had a stress free day.
Blog on!
Thank you so much, Doug! I still do a bit of travelling though not far. This park is only a few minutes of driving from my home.
Stunning pictures, Lily, just looking at them makes me feel relaxed and peaceful. Thank you for taking us with you!
Thank you, Tamara.
So beautiful. I want to try forest bathing.
It’s a very nice experience.