Event Overview
Register Here
Come and celebrate the 7th Annual International Forest Bathing Day among spruce and aspen trees at the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (located just a few minutes SW of Calgary).
This is an invitation to spend time outdoors in a new way—one that helps you unwind and experience the restorative benefits of nature. You’ll be guided by a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Ken Ouendag, who began his guiding career in Vancouver, BC after training with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides (anft.earth) in 2017. He now lives in Calgary where he trains other forest therapy guides.
Forest bathing, also referred to as forest therapy, is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided experiences in forests and other natural environments. It is partly inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, in which people spend time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness.
You will be guided through a sequence of invitations designed to help your body and mind slow down, tune into your senses, and experience the environment in a way that supports you to deepen your connection with the natural world. There is no expectation for what you should experience or receive during a forest bathing walk; however, research continues to reveal scientific evidence for what many of us already feel inside. That is, spending time in nature is good for us.
Some would even say therapeutic. The term "forest therapy" implies that outdoor environments are therapeutic. Forest Therapy Guides are guides, not therapists.
Research on forest bathing highlights benefits such as reduced stress, improved mood and sleep, increased attention and creativity, regulated blood pressure, and a greater sense of connection or belonging.
This 2-hour walk will give you a taste of Forest Bathing, experienced among a community drawn to nature. You can expect to have some fun, share stories along the way, and enjoy a cup of forest tea with one another.
This will be a slow, gentle walk of 1-2 kilometres, with plenty of stops along the way.
There are two ticket prices for this event. I invite you to purchase a $25 ticket if paying the full price would cause you to be less secure in your ability to meet your basic food, health, housing or essential transport needs. Part of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (ASCCA).
A note about parking: Participants attending this event are not required to pay the $10 parking fee that is ordinarily required at the venue.
Attendees will receive additional details by email prior to the event.
