Virtual: Wisdom Tree.0 (Forest Bathing Spring Detox)

Wisdom Tree.0 Spring Detox: Forest Bathing in the Redwoods

Stressed? Depressed? Overworked? Anxious? Forest bathing may be your path to a clearer, calmer mind. Drop out of your thoughts and into your senses with the ancient Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere). Besides the mental health benefits of forest bathing (such as stress relief and boosted mood), spending time slowing down in nature has also been shown to lower cholestorol and cortisol levels, boost killer K-cells that fight cancer, and offer an immune system boost that lasts up to three weeks. Emerging from a SoulLight forest bath will have you feeling refreshed, energized, and inspired to integrate your learnings into your daily life.

Join us for a guided forest bath on Sunday March 29th from 2-4:30pm on a beautiful trail leading to a redwood grove. Experienced forest bathing guide and ecotherapist Samantha Kanofsky (of Soul|Light Communications) will lead the group through a series of mindfulness and nature connection exercises designed to release stress, awaken the senses, access inner wisdom, and reignite a sense of childlike play... all within the setting of a beautiful old-growth redwood grove. We will have a chance for solo time as well as partner activities and group connection. At the end of our time, we will share what our learnings and detox intentions from in group council tea ceremony, as a way of intention-setting for a clearer mind and a healthier path forward into our fullest expression of life.

Note: This event is appropriate for most fitness levels and ages as we will walk slowly and only about half a mile, round-trip. That said, there is a short, steep climb into a redwood grove which itself has uneven terrain. Please inquire if you have limited mobility and/or other questions about whether this event is right for you.


Fast Facts:

The average American now spends more than 90% of their time indoors.

A recent study showed that city dwellers were constantly exposed to stressors and that “urban living is associated with increased risk of health problems,” including anxiety and depression.

A recent study of 20,000 people, led by the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter, found that people who spent two hours a week in green spaces — local parks or other natural environments— were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t.


What is forest bathing (shinrin-yoku)?

(n.) an ancient Japanese practice of "taking in" the forest atmosphere, without an end goal

(v.) the practice of immersing oneself in nature for healing and insight

Forest bathing offers a powerful way to become more aware and present for relaxation, insight, and Earth connection. Health benefits include lowered heart rate, stress relief, boosted immunity, better sleep, and a greater sense of purpose and mental clarity.


Event Details:

When: Sunday March 29th, 2-4:30pm

Where: Strawberry Canyon Lower Fire Trail (see google map here).

Transportation/Parking: Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to find parking (there's a small lot below the trailhead that fills up quickly, as well as parking in residential areas near the football stadium) and consider riding bikes/walking/taking public transit or rideshares to save yourself the parking hassle and for the sake of the environment!

What to Bring: Water, hat, comfortable clothes and walking shoes (including a warm layer), and an open mind. Healthy snacks and herbal tea will be provided at the end of the forest bath.

Tickets: $15 – $45
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wisdom-tree0-forest-bathing-spring-detox-tickets-96513467379

Questions? RSVP? Email soullightcommunications [at] gmail.com. See you in the trees!

*All Soul|Light public events are made available by sliding scale donation with no-one turned away for lack of funds. Please give generously according to your ability, and email Samantha at soullightcommunications [at] gmail.com if you have additional questions.

http://www.soullightcommunication.com



About the Facilitator

Samantha Kanofsky is a skilled consultant and facilitator, passionate about introducing people to the healing benefits of spending time in nature. While working in corporate leadership development, Samantha realized there was a key piece missing: somatic and spiritual integration. She witnessed clients having powerful realizations about how they wanted to change and stay connected to their purpose, but not being offered an outlet to practice those changes in an embodied, sustainable way. That’s when Samantha started Soul|Light Communications, a company committed to bringing people onto a new, grounded path for bringing their best selves to life.

Samantha holds a BA in Environmental Analysis from Pomona College, a Certificate in Ecotherapy from the Holos Institute, and is currently a candidate in the Creative Writing MFA at San Francisco State University. She has extensive training in listening and staying curious through interviewing hundreds of professionals in support of the Ego-Free leadership program at Learning as Leadership, and learned a thing or two about teamwork and collaboration along the way. Samantha serves as a nature mentor at Gaia Girls and runs monthly forest bathing events for the public at various locations in the Bay Area.



"Samantha is a warm, inclusive, and generous facilitator who holds space with ease while giving space for participants to develop their own relationship with the surroundings. Over the course of several workshop I felt able to have exactly the experience I have needed to at any given moment - from awe to reflection to anger to grief. Forest bathing with Sammy always grounds me and gives me perspective on the broader flow of my life."

- Workshop Participant


“Our first forest bathing workshop was one of the most relaxing experiences we’ve had in a while. We communed with trees in a deeper way than we thought possible. Samantha set the perfect tone in holding space, and succeeded beautifully in guiding our group activities and supporting our individual contemplation.”

- Workshop Participants