Forest Bathing Walk

Join ACES and certified nature and forest therapy guide, Melanie Choukas-Bradley, for a magical evening forest bathing walk through the forests of Hallam Lake. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, began in Japan in the 1980s and is rooted in the ancient Japanese reverence for nature. This mindfulness practice has since gained popularity all over the world. On our evening walk, we will breathe deeply and move slowly, as we soak up the beauty and wonder of the forested shoreline. We’ll engage all of our senses as we explore the trees, wildflowers, and the life and reflections of the lake. Our walk will last for two hours.

Dress in layers for the weather. Since we move slowly on a forest bathing walk, standing and sitting often, you’ll want to dress more warmly than you would for a walk. You may want to take off your shoes (optional) to commune with the earth barefoot. Bring water and snacks.

About our guide: Melanie Choukas-Bradley is an award-winning nature book author and forest therapy guide, certified by the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs. Her most recent book, just published this June, is titled Wild Walking—A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons. Melanie is based in Washington, DC and she has written eight nature books, including the authoritative guide to the trees of the capital, City of Trees, and an independent publishers’ award-winning nature memoir, A Year in Rock Creek Park. She has led previous forest bathing walks for us at Toklat as part of the Aspen Ideas Festival and fell in love with our aspen groves, wildflowers, mountain views and the story of Toklat. She is very happy to return to lead walks for Aspen Ideas and ACES this June!