The sun streaming through criss-crossed trees over the path casts a pretty pattern of dappled light on the worn trail at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.

Its beauty serves as one of many entry points for forest bathing guide Agnes Kedmenecz to lead her group deeper into their senses.

In 2023, she earned her provisional certification as a nature and forest therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. This spring, she completed full certification.

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The idea to become a guide was rooted in her during a parking lot conversation, two decades ago, with a colleague while working as an educator with a counselling agency. The subject of forest bathing came up as a wonderful option for the staff themselves; it seemed a good healing and recovery tool.

That former colleague was the first emotional phone call when Kedmenecz finished full certification in Japan this spring.

She香蕉视频直播檇 been giving presentations on forest bathing, forest therapy 香蕉视频直播� or Shinrin-Yoku 香蕉视频直播� for years already. When explaining it, she starts with a bit of silliness as a prelude, showing a photo of her washing a tree, then washing herself in the woods.

Neither is forest bathing.

香蕉视频直播淪hinrin-Yoku is taking in the forest atmosphere with all your senses.香蕉视频直播�

While easily done solo, a guide pulls the connection deeper. She香蕉视频直播檚 trained in sequences and segues with flexibility to engage with individuals or class groups.

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This day, it香蕉视频直播檚 a cobweb glittering in the spring sun and softly quivering in the gentle breeze that also creates a shimmer among the trailside bushes. Bugs flit about, and suddenly, now noticed, there seem to be more of them.

Motion is one of her favourite invitations.

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Forest bathing walks include several thought-through invitations 香蕉视频直播� including one on dappled light 香蕉视频直播� that lead participants to a solo moment before meeting back at a pre-set home base for a final tea, where everyone香蕉视频直播檚 invited to share something 香蕉视频直播� or not.

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Some people feel like sharing, others don香蕉视频直播檛.

Some are playful, others introspective, sometimes both.

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It also affords a silver lining, fostering a connection with nature that can lead to deeper care for the environment around them.

香蕉视频直播淭his is such a simple way to change someone's behaviour to be more nature-centric,香蕉视频直播� Kedmenecz said.

Currently, she leads monthly walks through Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (best suited for those aged 10 and older, register ). The Saanich park provides easy access; the walk is an amble on a wide, gravelled path.

One key is to prepare for the weather. There香蕉视频直播檚 nothing as distracting as being too cold, too hot, or too thirsty.

香蕉视频直播淲hen people are not prepared for the weather, their connection changes,香蕉视频直播� she said.

While it affords someone the opportunity to slow down, unwind and just be, other benefits include improved immune function, cardiovascular and respiratory health and ideally reduced stress, Kedmenecz said.

香蕉视频直播淣ature is the therapist. I香蕉视频直播檓 just guiding.香蕉视频直播�