Forest Therapy - In Person - 9:00

You are warmly welcomed to join us for Forest Therapy at China Bar in Auburn State Recreational Area. Many people know this practice as "Forest Bathing" and it can be described as a mindful forest immersion in which you focus on experiencing nature through your five senses (i.e., vision, smell, taste, hearing, and touch). It has wonderful proven physical and mental health benefits, including strengthening the immune system, increasing Killer T cells, and decreasing anxiety and depression. 

More details and information about the meeting location will be provided in advance. Should poor weather or air quality be forecasted, this event will be cancelled.

Terrain:

In order to get to our base camp where we'll start our Forest Bathing/Therapy experience, we’ll walk 0.15 miles on mostly flat ground. The beginning of the path is gravel and gradually becomes a dirt path with some rocks and uneven ground. It’s a relatively short walk but we’ll take our time. Throughout the experience you’ll have the option to explore areas off the path and those may be even more uneven, rocky, steep, or grassy. Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes that will be able to handle such terrain. You may wish to wander far or stay close to camp. Either way, you’ll want to have on comfortable and sturdy sneakers or boots.

What to bring:

Bring a camp chair or cushion if you have one. We will be spending 15 minutes or so at a time sitting in a circle, so think about what you will need to feel comfortable. There will be an extra 3 cushions and 2 camp chairs available to share. A cold beverage and snack will be provided, but we encourage you to pack water and munchies or a lunch to enjoy. 

About the Facilitator:

Annie Mascorro RN, PHN is a certified Forest Therapy Guide. She recieved her M.F.A. in poetry from The University of Montana and her B.S. in nursing from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She has also studied poetry therapy through the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy and attended the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Poetry workshop. Her poems have been widely published. She has worked as a psychiatric nurse for the past 11 years, incorporating poetry into her work with patients and facilitating poetry workshops in hospitals and clinics in Baltimore, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, San Diego, and Grass Valley. Her background as a poet, teacher, nurse, and student of poetry therapy helps create a supportive, nurturing, and energetic atmosphere in all of her workshops.