One of my favorite things I discovered about
the science of Shinrin-Yoku is the extra ben-
efits of bathing in coniferous, or evergreen,
forests. This explains my compulsion to run
up to the Sequoia National Forest whenever I
can and hug a California Redwood. The bark
of these particular trees contains a compound
called phytoncides. While this phytochemi-
cal protects the tree bark from insects, it also
raises our immune system’s NK or killer cells.
Get this: in one study, subjects stayed in a
hotel room for three consecutive nights with
Hinoki Cypress oil diffusing in a humidifier.
The subjects had remarkably heightened lev-
els of these immune boosting suckers in their
systems, even up to seven days later. They
also reported whiter teeth and fresher breath.
(Not really, I wanted to make sure you were
still with me.)
The methods I’ve been using in my prac-
tice of forest bathing are based on a book
by M. Amos Clifford, A Little Handbook of
Shinrin-Yoku. I concur with his underlying
premise that our personal and societal heal-
ing is a two-way street with our planet.
Mother Earth does take care of us, but we
must also take care of her. Forest bathing is
not only about taking in the healing effects of
our environment, but participating recipro-
cally in methods such as place tending. Do
you wander around the same places? Engage
in this practice of place tending or taking
care of the environment by bringing a bag for
trash. Collect on the way back, so as to not
interfere with the forest bathing experience.
These principles can also work in our
urban, everyday lives. While writing this,
I am sitting in my back garden and I can
hear someone playing the electric guitar...
I notice sounds of a soccer game...but also
I can hear birds. Some are close, some far
away. I can hear the wind in the trees, and
align my breathing with that rhythm. I can
look around and see bird feeders, little
potted seedlings just starting, a happy cat
and dog here, too. All this I offer back to
Mother Gaia.
The Earth Has a Soul. — Carl Jung
Julie Devi Hale, LMFT, ERYT is a psychotherapist
and yoga teacher that hosts local forest bathing ad-
ventures regularly in the Santa Monica Mountains, as
well as at retreat weekends in the Sequoia National
Forest. Swimsuits not required. Visit: juliehale.net
And into the forest I go,
to lose my mind and find
my soul. —John Muir
Exquisite malas made from sacred rudraksha seeds,
steeped in tradition, full of contemporary beauty and bliss
BaliMalas.com
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
KLAYOGAApril.pdf 1 4/22/16 9:35 AM