Forest Therapy - In Person - 10:00

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.

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. 

Our classes and programs are funded by grants, sponsors, donors and clients who are paying it forward. Cancer can be expensive; we do not want finances to be a barrier to accessing our valuable programming. Pay-as-you-can with a suggested donation amount per class of $10-$25.

About the Facilitator:

Annie Mascorro received her M.F.A. in poetry from The University of Montana, her B.S. in nursing from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, as well as her M.S. at Sacramento State University and is now an Associate Therapist. 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 worked as a psychiatric nurse for the 11 years, incorporating poetry into her work with patients and facilitating poetry workshops in hospitals and clinics. A former psych nurse turned therapist and certified Forest Therapy Guide, her background helps create a supportive, nurturing, and energetic atmosphere in the variety of classes that she offers at Wellness Within.