Hiking is great. But forest bathing takes it a step further

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• Great for physical and mental health
• Provides a deeper sense of well being

As the Healing Hikes group made its way up a forest trail outside West Kelowna, a sense of calm could be felt.

The fresh snow basked in the afternoon sunlight, trees stood watch over head, and the world seemed to slow it’s pace – all in line with the hikes’ foundation of forest bathing.

The concept, according to guide Matt Lapointe, started in Japan, and is known as shinrin-yoku, meaning being one with nature.

“We bring people out into the forest, just to reconnect, to be present, do some grounding work and just enjoy nature,” he told Kelowna10.

He said humans have an innate knowledge that when we need to recharge, we get out in nature.

“[There’s] tons of good cardio with hiking. There’s some muscle work because we do go uphill here in the Okanagan, it tends to be always uphill to start hikes,” Lapointe said.

The hikes can also help with clarity, de-stressing, and anxiety, he added.

All skill levels and abilities are welcome on the hikes.

Chelsea Fredericks, a guide at healing hikes, starts each endeavour with meditation.

“We also do breathwork, just a way to get into the body and be fully present and here in the now,” Fredericks said.

She said the hikes started really small, and then people started sharing the experience with friends.

“We’ve been able to see people shift from when we started it a few months back to now, and just their deeper sense of well being,” Fredericks said. “It’s so beautiful to witness.”