Thanks to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, this month, there are two opportunities for LFW alumni leaders to experience the physical and psychological benefits of “forest bathing.”  Come join us and deepen your connection to nature while deepening your connection to self and others. Relax. Reconnect. Renew.

Forest bathing honors the ancient human practices of nature connection.  Elena Rios, our guide for this experience, will give you directions in the form of invitations to assist you in slowing down and observing with all of your senses. As you “bathe” in the fresh air and immune-boosting phytoncides, you may begin to notice things in a way you may not have ever noticed before. The gathering ends with a ceremony of sharing tea made from locally foraged native plants and some healthy snacks. All you have to do is come and be yourself…and reconnect with nature and the more-than-human world.  Note: this walk includes slight downhill and uphill inclines on terrain that is rocky and uneven in certain portions.

Dates & Times:

The two dates LFW alumni leaders can sign up for are:

• Wednesday, October 9, 2:00-4:00 PM
• Thursday, October 10, 12:00-2:00 PM

Note:  We are limited to 15 people per session, so please do not sign up unless you are confident you will be there.  You also need to be able to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance of the start of the program.

About Our Guide, Elena Ríos:

Elena Ríos is an ever-evolving ANFT Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide and Inter-disciplinary Artist. From an early age, Elena’s family cultivated in her an interest in the exploration and appreciation of nature and the more-than-human world. Elena Continues to participate with traditional circles of learning, wellness, and ways of being that are rooted in Indigenous knowledge. She believes this practice has the potential to assist us in noticing the Interconnectedness of All Things. She draws inspiration from her grandmother, who was a curandera. She has had a partnership as a cultural practitioner with Japanese Shinto Priest, Hiroji Seikiguchi for almost 20 years. Currently, she is an employee of the Chumash Fire Department, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. She is an indigenous Azteca Chichimeca woman of the Americas with distant genetic Chumash links including multi-ethnic Spanish, Scot-Irish ancestry.” Her guide style is informed by all of these previous life experiences.