Shinrin-Yoku Invitations are simple and will not take much time. They are intended to help you decompress, relax and ground you into yourself and the natural world around you.
If and when possible, the optimal location to do these invitations is in a semi-wild forest environment, though a local park, garden or simply by a tree in your backyard will do for every day.
You can choose to do the invitations individually, or several together, one after the other, to expand the benefits of your nature connection. You can also modify them to suit your comfort, location and the weather. They are, after all, just that: invitations. You can accept them, or decline them as feels right to you. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and feel relaxed. If you find yourself efforting, just let it go.
You can do them alone, or with others. If you do them with others, I suggest that you do so in silence, so each person can fully benefit from their own experience. You can, if you like, share with each other at the end (of each invitation or a series). If you keep a journal, you might fell called to write down your impressions and thoughts afterwards.This is what we do during an actual Shinrin-Yoku walk. At the end of each invitation, we gather in a circle to share what we experienced. It is called council. Each person in turn has a chance to speak while receiving everyone else’s focused attention. This is a very rewarding part of the walks, and I would like to invite you to share your experiences – if you like – here in the comments. Know that comments are moderated for spam and for negativity.
Overall, my intention is to offer you something easy and beautiful that will make you feel better afterwards. It will be like joining me on a Shinrin-Yoku walk from wherever you are.
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I have finally collected all the Shinrin-Yoku Invitations into this downloadable e-book that I hope you will love. The e-book is in PDF format and I am making it available to you for FREE. All I ask in return is that you sign up for the Life Out Of Bounds e-mail newsletter. Your information will be secure and private, will not be shared with others, and will only be used for the purpose of sending you the newsletter. And I promise you to not swamp you with e-mails. By clicking here you will be taken to the sign-up form that will begin the process, which will be complete when you receive the link to the download.
You can print the e-book if you like, or also save it on your iPad/tablet and/or iPhone/smartphone so you can carry it with you everywhere.
I hope you will enjoy my little offering, and feel free to share this page with your family and friends. For those of you unfamiliar with the practice of Shinrin-Yoku, you can read more about it here, as well as about my own personal experiences.
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These are beautiful Monica- Thanks for sharing them with us ! Aroha
Thank you, Vicky! And you are welcome. There were more, but I just refreshed the page. I’m thinking of putting them into a collection. Aroha! <3
I love these. Thank you Life Out of Bounds. These are amazing to stay current and connected as Forest Therapy Guides.
Thank you, Ben. I’m glad you are enjoying them! I would love at some point to experience a Shinrin-Yoku walk guided by you. 🙂
Thank you, I was just introduced to Shinrin Yoku and thanks so much for providing me these invitations.
You are very welcome Rue, I am glad you are enjoying them. 🙂
I am so enjoying your invitations Monica! Thank you!
You are welcome, Amos. I am really glad you like them, and very happy about how popular Shinrin-Yoku is becoming. Great job!
These are lovely! Thank you.
You are very welcome, Susan. I am so happy you enjoy them. 🙂
Hi!!! I would like to receive th ebook of Shinrin Yoku. THanks. Have a lovely day
Hi Julia: You can download the Shinrin-Yoku e-book by clicking on this link and following the sign-up prompts. It is easy. Here you go: https://lifeoutofbounds.myflodesk.com/o7rw9daylu
Thank you!
Hi Monica!! This blog is TOTALLY AWESOME, thank you so much for letting us have SO MUCH information!!!! I live near Nairobi in Kenya and we have the biggest Urban Forest – Karura Forest on the outskirts of town which is perfect for walks. I shall read your blog and the invitations and try it out on my friends!!! Again, thank you or as we say in Kiswahili Asante sana!!
Hi Joannah: thank you so much for your kind words! Not many take the time to let me know whether they enjoy what I share or not, and each comment is treasured. I am thrilled this information is helpful to you, and let me know how your walks go. I will look for images of Karura Forest so I can see what it is like. I have only been to Kenya once, so long ago that it feels like another life, and I went to Mombasa.
I have not yet updated the page with the information, yet, but my forest therapy trainer/teacher and founder of ANFT has just published a book that brings together all his years of experience with the practice. It is titled: Your Guide to Forest Bathing, by M. Amos Clifford. It is, of course, available on Amazon at this link, though that is Amazon U.S, not sure from which Amazon you would purchase in Kenya.
Let me know how you enjoy it all! xoxo Monica