Forest & Nature Therapy , Forest Bathing & Mindfulness Therapy in Nature
Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese Art of Forest Bathing. Unlock Mindfulness and Boost Positivity Under the Trees
It's time to start your healing journey
Forest bathing, known as “shinrin-yoku” in Japanese, is a unique Japanese pursuit that developed in the 1980s. In this practice, participants succumb to the powerful energy and exquisite calm that permeates the forests in Japan's natural ecosystems. In turn, they are rewarded with opportunity for reflection, a boost in positive energy and a revived sense of wellness
Nurtured by nature: The origins of forest bathing
The concept of forest bathing was developed in 1982 by the Forest Agency at the time as both a physiological and psychological exercise with two key purposes. First, it was a response to Japan's technological revolution providing an antidote to high-octane lifestyles that were replacing a traditionally nature-oriented society. Second, it encouraged Japanese people to reconnect and preserve the natural landscapes around them
Today, both intentions are still relevant. Forest bathing is a low-impact pursuit that celebrates the natural order of woodland environments instead of altering them and provides a welcome space for mindful meditation. So how does it work?
It's actually very simple. On a forest bathing excursion, explorers walk quietly through forest landscapes, concentrating on the energy of their surroundings, and most importantly, appreciating the present. While this can be a solo pursuit, there are many options for guided tours
In Japanese we have a word for those feelings that are too deep for words: yugen.
Yugen gives us a profound sense of the beauty and mystery of the universe”
Why Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing is the English translation of the Japanese term ‘Shinrin-yoku’. To better understand this entire concept more accurately, it means ‘spending quality time, under the canopy of trees, in a forest, for health and wellbeing purposes’. In Japan there is a large body of data to show Forest Bathing can:
- Reduce blood pressure.
- Lower stress.
- Improve cardiovascular and metabolic health.
- Lower blood-sugar levels
- Lift depression
- Improve pain thresholds
- Improve energy
- Boost the immune system with an increase in the count of the body’s natural killer (NK) cells
- Increase anti-cancer protein production
- Help lose weight
Making the most out of your experience
We encourage everyone to make the most of out of their Forest Bathing experience for maximum health and wellbeing benefits. You should:
- Remember, it’s not just a walk in the woods
- Slow down, slow way down, even stop. Slow walking will encourage your heart rate and speed of thinking.
- Take in your surroundings using all your senses.
- Breathe deeply, take in the maximum comfortable amount of oxygen and beneficial chemicals.
- Relax, find a spot to sit down and observe.
- It might be hard with a dog!
- Touch the trees, do they feel differently to how they look? Explore your fingertip sense of touch.
- Listen, can you hear the birds singing? Are you upsetting a squirrel by entering its patch?
- When we are quiet and still, birds and animals will start to get closer. If you are lucky, you will become the witness of an unfolding beautiful natural play. These scenes have the power to move our hearts in surprising ways.
- Two hours is the recommended minimum dose of Forest Bathing. Remember, it is a process, our bodies need time to adjust to the relaxing forest atmosphere, you need much longer than 10 minutes to relax deeply.
Shinrin-yoku Retreats- coming soon
Testimonials
The "Bliss in me" retreats is an exceptional time in which you will be able to quiet your mind and go deeply within yourself. Agnieszka Kowalska - a yoga teacher, globetrotter and a great organizer has carefully selected beautiful and peaceful places where you will be able to feel your inner strength, energy and piece of mind away from touristic distractions. The retreats are perfectly designed to achieve the above thanks to amazing, tranquilizing nature, daily yoga routine, meditation at sunset and at dawn, relaxing massages, light and healthy vegetable-based meals. It truly is the best gift you can present yourself.
Barbara P.
Uczęszczanie na jogę u Agnieszki to czysta przyjemność. Zajęcia prowadzone są wspaniale i profesjonalnie. Agnieszka to ciepła, miła i otwarta na wszystkich osoba. Jest małej postury ale ma wielkie serce. Dzięki tym zajęciom moje życie się bardzo zmieniło. Jestem wyciszona, spokojniejsza a za razem otwarta duchowo. Marzę o tym aby z Agnieszką jeździć po świecie i ćwiczyć jogę. W tym roku jadę na Bali! Serdecznie polecam zajęcia z Agnieszką!
Joanna S.
There are many yoga teachers around and many places you can start to practice. The point is not to jump in the big water without an introduction, without understanding how and what way yoga will change your body and mind. I've had a goal which, with help of Agnieszka is closer and closer. Her advise and guidance is really priceless. I would recommend her service from a bottom of my heart. It's not only the yoga practice. It's her insight to your body and mind as a whole and guiding you further and further but respecting your own pace. Thanks to that I know my limits and... also know how to extend them. Great motivation!
Anna W.
I took part in quite a few of Agnieszka’s classes and I do wish to recommend them to every and single one person interested in improving their life through yoga. They are fun, they are light, they are a pleasure to participate and last but not least – they work. Agnieszka has this unique ability to meet your particular needs and make the sequence work it’s best exactly where you need it most. Every time it left me feeling both relaxed and energetic in my body and mid. Oh, and do try her private classes!. They’re a real yoga masterpiece!
Beata Maia G.
Agnieszkę poznałam w jednej ze szkół jogi w Warszawie. Byłam początkującym joginem, który nie wiedział za bardzo o co chodzi w świecie jogi. Agnieszka wprowadziła mnie w ten świat , pokazała czym jest joga i nauczyła mnie filozofii, która jej towarzyszy. Dzięki niej zmieniłam całkowicie swoje życie!!!!! Nie wyobrażam sobie praktykowania jogi i medytacji z nikim innym. Jest najlepsza z najlepszych nauczycieli!
Zosia C.
I first met Agnieszka at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas where she was further deepening her knowledge of yoga. We then reconnected in Tokyo were she was again developing her practice and her teaching. She is a very committed and authentic teacher and I very much look forward to her overseas retreats.
Maria N., Tokyo
I would recommend Bliss In Me to anyone that has been practicing yoga & meditation and wants to rediscover its power and beauty. You will spend amazing time with Agnieszka and you will build friendships meant to last a life time. Bliss In Me walked me through a journey of discovering knowledge and understanding the true meaning of yoga & meditation via the direct path of self-inquiry. Agnieszka’s authenticity and humility make her a wonderful yoga and spiritual teacher, and I am so full of joy for having chosen her retreats.
Louise M., NY
Rewelacyjna Agnieszka Kowalska! Kompetentna, niesamowicie zaangażowana z wielką pasją wprowadza i zagłębia nas w tajniki jogi, przenosi nas nie tylko fizycznie ale i mentalnie w zupełnie inny wymiar, tworząc wyjątkową atmosferę!
Bliss In Me to niezapomniane wakacje! Niepowtarzalne krajobrazy i urokliwe zakątki dedykowane porannym i wieczornym spotkaniom z jogą i medytacją, które zachwycając, jednocześnie otwierają drogę do oczyszczenia ciała i duszy! Dopełnieniem całości są wspólne, kameralne spotkania prze stole! Odpoczynek, medytacja, skupienie i wyciszenie.. Z Bliss In Me czas przestaje istnieć…
Joanna D
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend attending a Bliss In Me retreat to any of my friends or yoga students! I was really impressed with the variety of things which were included in such a short space of time; a delicious vegan food, daily practice of yoga & meditation, trips, inspiring talks and beautiful Greece island! I think that Agnieszka is very talented and inspirational teachers and to be honest I just feel very lucky to be able to come and take her classes and learn so much as a student and also get ideas for my own teaching.
Ken N., London
Joga z Agnieszką Kowalską to wspaniałe przeżycie! Dla nas, uczniów jogi, wybrała najciekawsze miejsce wypoczynku łączące nastrój, ciszę i spokój z jednoczesną możliwością korzystania z uroków plaży i standardowego wypoczynku. Agnieszka zaraża pasją i zamiłowaniem do wyzwań. Jest doskonale zorganizowaną podróżniczką potrafiącą realizować najtrudniejsze zadania. Podczas zorganizowanego przez nią wyjazdu nauczyłam regenerować psychicznie i redukować stres. Ćwiczenia w wymiarze mentalnymi i fizycznym nadały nową jakość mojemu życiu.
Dziękuję Ci Agnieszko! Rezerwuję dla siebie miejsce w tym roku na Lefkadzie!
Celina S
Już od dłuższego czasu praktykuję jogę z Agnieszką i z ogromną ciekawością czekam na pierwszy czerwcowy wyjazd Bliss In Me do Grecji! Wreszcie wszystkie cudowne plany i pomysły Agnieszki realizują się w rzeczywistości. Świetne miejsce, doskonałe terminy - na pewno zbierze się wspaniała grupa ludzi, którzy szukają idealnych warunków do praktykowania jogi i medytacji. Do szybkiego zobaczenia na Lefkadzie!
Jakub K.
Agnieszka Kowalska to genialna i profesjonalna nauczycielka jogi i medytacja. Prywatne lekcje z Agą pozwoliły mi odkryć niezwykły świat medytacji i jogi. Jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem jej pasji i zaangażowania Agnieszka to ciepła i bardzo sympatyczna osoba, zawsze uśmiechnięta i optymistyczna. Już nie mogę się doczekać wyjazdu do Gracji ! Szczerze polecam !
Edyta J.
For more information
About Me
My name is Agnieszka Kowalska and I would like to invite you to join me in my Yoga & Meditation journey.
We will be pursuing Bliss and Happiness. So now please close your eyes and imagine a beautiful beach, a radiant sunset, the salty smell of the sea, the fresh breeze on your face and a wonderful sense of freedom – this is what we call Bliss, an ideal condition of happiness and self-realization.
Here and Now, Bliss In Me…
So, do not open your eyes, listen to your body and mind, stay here with me. In the pursuit of Happiness…
My Yoga
My yoga background is Sivananda Yoga – a holistic combination of five essential elements – proper exercises (Asans), proper breathing (Pranayama), proper relaxation (Savasana), proper diet (Vegetarian) and Positive Thinking combined with Meditation.
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