LOCALadk Magazine

Summer 2019 LOCALadk Magazine 33 LOCALadk One of the last invitations we accepted was the sense of touch. As we split from the group to wander on our own, and connect with nature by feeling it, I was already thinking of ways I could introduce this practice to the hiking groups I lead. Showing them the value of slowing down, and really letting the forest or lake or stream sink down deep into their skin. With respect for nature we touched soft squishy moss, bumpy rough bark, smooth wet rock, a blade of fresh green grass, and a tissue paper y beech leaf. Each person chose something different. I liked this part of the forest bathing practice a great deal. Suzanne never suggested what we should or could look for; it happened organically for each of us. She was also careful to remind us to not to disturb or pick the nature, and to leave no trace. While I was reflecting on this experience I was reminded of a time when I was helping guide a kayak camping trip in the Caribbean. It was a multi-day trip and one of our guests was blind. I was a bit ner vous when I first learned we would be helping to guide a blind person through four days of open water paddling and camping on remote beaches. As a guide I started to think of all the potential hazards. I should have been thinking about all the possibilities. As our group fitted their snorkel masks and fins for a re- mote snorkel trip I sat in the sand along the edge of the wa- ter with Sarah. She had become blind as an adult and had ridden a roller coaster of emotions over the years. Howev- er, by this point she was in a great space and was enjoying the adventure with her daughter. As we sat there she asked me to describe what I saw. I did the best I could to paint the picture for her. She then proceeded to teach me how to re- ally see. Her descriptions of what she was "seeing" were far more beautiful and detailed than any of the ten times I had enjoyed that same view. She tapped into all my senses and gifted me with "creating" an amazing scene of sound, touch, smell, and, yes, sight. As we prepared to leave the forest we did one last activity, in which we found something that we felt a connection to and just focused on it. I chose a rock seat that was part of a much larger rock wall. I felt thankful to be there, and it pro- vided me with a spot to sit and relax while watching a hawk soar above the treetops. I was definitely feeling bathed by the forest. With each invitation Suzanne was ver y open about it being a choice to participate, and also offered different levels of participation depending on each individual's comfort zone. In the end I feel like we all shared openly and honestly, in part because of the safe and open environment that Suzanne helped create. I will keep our closing ceremony a myster y for you to wonder about, but suffice to say it was the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful forest bathing experience. If you are interested in joining Suzanne or Helene with Ad- irondack River walking for a sensor y immersion eco-trip, you can contact them at www.adirondackriver walking.com

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