Summer Solstice Forest Bathing Celebration

On The Day

Celebrate the Summer Solstice and reflect on the first half of the year. The solstice is the sun standing still and an opportunity to pause. We can give ourselves permission to stop, breathe and reflect before moving forward. The solstice is a time of expansion, abundance and renewal as we witness the unfolding leaves on the trees and feel the warmth of the sunshine. How can we honour the light within ourselves? Take part in a restorative and relaxing Forest Bathing experience and tune in to the rhythms of nature.

The Selkie Collective

We will be providing locally made cake to compliment Isabel's tea ceremony, and to make you feel extra special we'll be giving you some Selkie gifts to help you pamper yourself when you get home.

The Origins of Forest Bathing

‘Shinrin-yoku’ or ‘Forest Bathing’ originated in Japan in the  1980's as a wellness practice for using our senses to connect to the  natural world. Forest bathing does not involve any swimming! The idea of  ‘bathing’ comes from bathing your senses in the atmosphere of the  forest for relaxation and health care.  Isabel offers guided  nature and forest experiences to help relax, relieve stress and invite  joy and pleasure through a sensory connection with the natural world. A  forest bathing experience focuses on slowing down, using techniques such  as mindfulness and meditation and through a set of invitations, offers  ways of using our senses to deepen our connection to the land. There are  also opportunities for sharing our experiences as part of the group and  expressive arts can be incorporated into the practice through  sculpture, writing and poetry activities. A forest bathing experience is  not a naturalist walk or a trek, it is an opportunity to use our senses  so that we move out of our heads and into our bodies. Forest bathing  enables people to tune in to the rhythms and seasons of nature and the  experiences are not physically demanding and often finish with a tea  ceremony.   Forest bathing is an evidence-based practice for  preventative healthcare and research has suggested that it can; lower  stress and anxiety, strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure,  reduce our stress hormone cortisol, improve sleep and improve cognitive  function such as memory and attention. Forest bathing is also a social  practice, enabling the community to come together and connect with the  local landscape and each other.

Isabel McLeish  is an artist and a certified Forest Therapy Guide and Forest Therapy  Practitioner based in Lochalsh in the Scottish Highlands. Isabel is also  trained in Emergency Outdoor First Aid and has PVG disclosure.

Website: https://www.isabelmcleish.com/forest-bathing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlandforesttherapy/