Join Davinica for a mindful amble through the woods to embrace the quiet and calm of winter.
Through this immersive forest bathing practice, you’ll deepen your relationship with yourself and the land you inhabit. After some guided breathing and gentle movement, we'll amble along the trail, engaging our curiosity, awakening our senses, and enjoying the serenity of winter. No previous meditation experience is necessary, all are welcome!
What is forest bathing? Forest bathing comes from the Japanese term, Shinrin-yoku. The phrase simply means “taking in the forest atmosphere”. The modern techniques of forest bathing as a medical practice were developed in Japan in the 1980s, though they were developed from the ancient arts of mindfulness and meditation.
Families are welcome! No registration is required for kids under 12.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION
This event will be held in all weather conditions. If the event needs to be canceled due to dangerous weather or temperature, you will be fully refunded.
Choose footwear and clothing appropriate for weather conditions and snow. You are also welcome to bring a warm drink, hand and/or foot warmers, or whatever else you need to feel comfortable and cozy!
Bring a trail seat or blanket to sit on.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTE
Cost: Nobody will be turned away for a lack of funds. Please reach out to Davinica at davinica@kaneel.me to figure out a cost that feels accessible to you.
Parking: There is a small paved parking lot at the trailhead with one wheelchair-accessible space. Due to limited parking, please carpool if coming as a group.
Trail: This walk is wheelchair accessible. It will be slow and meandering over a short distance, not a hike. In total, we’ll traverse a little more than a mile, and there will be moments to rest throughout the practice.
The Carriage Trail has been graded to have minimal slopes. The first third of a mile of trail is surfaced with hard-packed gravel and is a minimum of 4 feet wide with 5-foot wide passing areas at least every 200 ft. At a quarter mile from the parking lot there’s a crossing of a railroad line which, although inactive, still has the rails in place. The gravel-surfaced portion of trail terminates at a wide bridge which doubles as a viewing platform for an inactive beaver bog.
If no attendees use wheelchairs, we’ll have the choice as a group to traverse one of the primitive side trails which are very uneven and contain several wetland boardwalks, some of which have a small (less than 8-inch) step-up on either end.
Sensory Activities: Throughout the meditation, participants will be invited to explore the space using their senses of hearing, sight, smell, and touch. Participation in any of these activities is not required and can be adapted for those with sensory impairments or difficulties.
Restrooms: There is no restroom for this event.
About Kaneel
Kaneel offers guided mindfulness practices in natural settings throughout the state of Maine. It has grown out of a dedication to learning, sustaining, and celebrating all that the more-than-human world is willing to share with us. Through our offerings, we encourage people to connect with the natural world in meaningful ways so they may become active stewards of our planet.
Kaneel’s founder and owner, Davinica Nemtzow, is certified as a Mindful Outdoor Guide from the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and a proud Mainer. She is dedicated to bringing together community in inclusive, fulfilling, and creative ways.