The Art of Forest Bathing
with Stefan Bartorijs
Episode 1, The Chakra Series
There are seven main energy centers in the body which are known as the “Chakras” according to ancient meditation practices originating from ancient Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism traditions. In this first series of A NEW MND co-hosts Isabelle Tara and Tamara Klien will be touching on all of these different chakras.
The Root Chakra
Starting with the root chakra, we are pleased to chat to founder of Nature and Therapy UK Stefan Bartorijs about connecting with nature through the ancient art of Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing).
What are its main attributes?
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine. Known by its Sanskrit name Mūlādhāra this chakra is associated with the sense of security and safety when in balance. Think of this chakra as the fertile soil that the upper chakras rise from.
How does Forest Bathing link to the root chakra?
Time spent in nature is one of the most effective ways to ground ourselves and as a result to balance the root chakra, which is why in today’s episode we spoke to Forest Bathing expert Stefan Bartorijs.
What is Forest Bathing exactly and where does it come from?
Shinrin-Yoku, translated into English as ‘forest bathing', means taking in the forest atmosphere during a leisurely walk. It is a therapy that was developed in Japan during the 1980s, becoming a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.
Every study conducted so far has demonstrated reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness amongst the participants. In fact, after just 15 minutes of forest bathing blood pressure drops, stress levels are reduced and mental clarity improves.
There are now 44 accredited Shinrin-Yoku forests in Japan, with the research conducted helping to establish Shinrin-Yoku and Forest Therapy throughout the world.
Stefan’s connectedness with nature started with an experience that he had during a course, where he was asked to meditate. During a rainy walk he found shelter by a pine tree, where he experienced the first of many profound experiences connecting with nature.
“I went into a deep and profound altered state just from sitting with my back leaned against the trunk of the tree. It felt as if the tree was going inside my body and we went into this reciprocal communion with each other.”
The relevance today is perhaps more than ever needed as we’re increasingly lacking a real connection to nature. Thank technology and the abundance of over-stimulation on a daily basis, which doesn’t allow for much time to just be… But Stefan explains in the podcast that it’s possible to us all to reconnect even in an urban environment by taking note of smaller plants on a sidewalk or the neighbours garden. It’s not necessary to be near a forest to reap its benefits!
“People develop this layer of armouring because of over-stimulation in the cities. And what it does is numbing the senses. But when we go out into nature we can let some of that armour down and come into connection with the language of nature.”
Shinrin Yoku’s origin might well be linked to a Japanese religion dating from as early as the 8th century called Shinto. It incorporates the worship of ancestors, nature spirits and a belief in sacred power (kami), in both animate and inanimate things. Which is why in modern-day Japanese manga and anime you’ll often see objects and natural resources such as trees having a personality.
Shinto is very much integrated into the environment in Japanese culture. Stefan’s advise to us all is to make the time to start taking note of the changes in season, like the Japanese. Those turning points can be celebrated and acknowledged or even made into a little ritual.
“By staying in touch with perennial cycle within nature it’s like we become connected with something far greater than us. A protective, almost parental role we can reside in and makes us feel nurtured.”
To listen to full interview and curated tracklist click here!
[00:00:14] Tam and Isabelle introduction to the first ever episode of A NEW MND
[00:04:16] Isabelle explains the first chakra - Mūlādhāra
[00:09:01] Tam and Isabelle chat to Stefan Bartorijs about Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing)
[01:13:50] Sounds and music for the Root Chakra
Follow Stefan:
Stefan Bartorijs is the founder of Nature and Therapy UK. To book private & group sessions, trainings or courses head to https://natureandtherapy.co.uk/.
Track list:
Tropical Forest, The Sleep Specialist
Drums Trance, Shamanic Drumming World
Root Chakra, Beautiful Chorus
Gayatri Mantra, Indiajiva
Humanity, Ian Hawgood, Wil Bolton
Tabla Breath, Benjy Wertheimer, John De Kadt
Ong Namo, Snatam Kaur
A Walking Embrace, Nils Frahm
Intention, EarthRise SoundSytem, Morley
