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| A photo I took while walking about 80 miles west of Pikes Peak in Colorado. |
I've been an advocate of walking in nature for a long time. I've also taught a form of meditation called mindful walking which again is especially wonderful when done in nature. There is something about being among trees and plants that is purifying, healing, calming and restoring. Whenever I am out of sorts, I know that a trip to the nearest forest will restore my inner harmony and balance. Recently I come across an article that described this activity as "forest bathing", translated from the Japanese "shinrin-yoku". The article said that its the phytocides from trees and plants that produce health benefits for humans. By walking slowly and breathing in with an open heart, a healing power is released within us. Unfortunately, city walking or a walk around the garden doesn't produce the same results. The Japanese recommend we walk in a forested area at least three times a week for 1.5 miles within a two hour time span. At this slow pace, we can see that it is not about power walking or aerobic exercise, but something that truly restores our spirits and contributes to our better health.
