Water feels everything, water absorbs. Water remembers all. Allow yourself to be liquid. Water moves, water brings change, water brings life, water brings wisdom.
About this event:
Join us for a unique, immersive, slow paced, mindful journey where we will settle into the natural landscape and awaken our senses. This Forest Bathing experience will take place while on your stand-up paddleboard or in your kayak.
Your investment will include being guided on a gentle paddle as you move with the waters of Lake Natoma. During this 3 hour experience we will leave our stresses behind and connect with the abundance of the natural world. You will be offered a series of sensory-opening “invitations” designed to help you connect with the More-Than-Human World in your own authentic way. When Forest Bathing, you will be invited to move slowly, wander, pause, observe and reflect. The emphasis is on unplugging, calming the mind and engaging with the natural world. Physical and psychological benefits of Forest Bathing are astounding. Scientists have found that Forest Bathing can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, decrease stress levels, elevate your mood, increase working memory and even bolster your immune system.
Water is a fundamental requirement for all life, a source of great beauty and healing. Water carries the essence of love and peace.
Fill your lungs with refreshing forest air from the seat of your watercraft. Shinrin-yoku means, “Forest Bathing” and is the modern Japanese concept of refreshing and recharging by spending time in the forest. This tour combines Forest Bathing with paddling as you move through, “The Jungle” of Lake Natoma. Quietly watch for wildlife, become immersed with the sounds and textures as you integrate body-full rhythm with the water.
Your Guide:
It’s me! I’m Monica, your certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and I’m excited to guide you on this slow and gentle Forest Bathing paddle. There is something extra magical about Forest Bathing on the water; feeling the motion of the water, naturally syncing into the rhythm, watching the light reflect upon the water, and hearing the sounds of the water as it laps against the shoreline. Talk about a sensory journey and being present. It gives me all the feels.
*** When signing up for this event note that the end time is flexible. We will end at 8:15pm in the jungle area and will need to paddle back to shore. The water current can vary. Please give yourself padding past the specified end time to ensure you are able to make other time commitments following the event. ***
Click here for additional information on what Forest Bathing is:
Upon registration, participants will receive location details.
Parking: It is $10.00 unless you have a State Park Pass.
*Note the time of this event does not include getting paddleboards/kayaks down to the dock and launching them. 5:15pm-8:15pm is the duration of the actual Forest Bathing experience. Expect to arrive back to the shoreline at approximately 8:30pm.
WATERCRAFT: When registering for this event, you acknowledge that you are responsible for supplying your own watercraft. Although we move at a slow pace through the water, we are unable to accommodate inflatable rafts. If you have an inflatable kayak, it must have an internal frame. Please message with questions. Grow Outside is unable to support you with your watercraft, so it is imperative that you are able to personally inflate it and have all the necessary equipment (fin, paddles, pump if required).
DO YOU NEED A PADDLEBOARD? I have limited extra paddleboards available for an additional fee of $10.00. Please message me to confirm a reservation for a board which will be a separate Venmo payment.
Registration closes on May 21st at 5:00pm.