Fall Equinox Forest Bathing — Sunday, September 21

Join our nature and forest therapy guide in this two-hour program that encourages you to slow down and take in the National Arboretum through all your senses. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved attention and mood, and hitting the reset button on life. The Japanese have enjoyed shinrin yoku for decades as a regular public health initiative.

Our forest bathing walks consist of three ‘invitations’. Each time the guide will prompt you to reflect on a particular aspect of the natural world around you, give you time to wander and meditate throughout the garden collection, then reconvene the group to share reflections. While some people choose to walk extensively during this ‘forest bathing walk’, many others choose to sit and get to know specific areas of the collection. Each forest bathing walk will end with a modified tea ceremony — we will have small, pre-packaged snacks to close the walk.

General Admission $35

FONA Member Price $28 (members, email [email protected] for the discount code). Please make a donation of any amount to become a FONA member and receive the discount. If you are already a member, email [email protected] for the coupon code.

If paying $35 would prohibit you from attending this event, please purchase a $15 Community Discount Ticket (sliding scale, limited tickets available while supplies last). We believe a connection to the land fosters the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of individuals, communities, and the planet. We want to provide a quality event that facilitates this connection, but we also believe all members of our community should have access to this event.

You will receive more information on how to prepare for the event once you purchase a ticket.

No pets or children under 16 for this experience.

Weather Cancellations: Weather that could lead to an event being canceled is a heat index temperature at the time of the event of 105 degrees or severe weather warnings. Forest bathing walks are held in many weather conditions, including light rain or snow. If FONA cancels the walk due to unsafe conditions or threat of inclement weather, you will be notified by email and offered a certificate to attend a walk at a later date. (Whenever possible, cancellations will take place at least 6 hours before the event).

Low Registration Cancellations: FONA reserves the right to cancel a walk if fewer than 16 people register. In the event of a cancellation due to low participant registration, you will receive a certificate to attend a walk at a later date.

Refund Policy: Full refunds are provided for refund requests received up to 3 days prior to the program date.

Host or Publisher Friends of the National Arboretum