Shinrin Yoku (verb) - ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’. Forest bathing. 森林浴, 森林 (shinrin, “forest”) + 浴 (yoku, “bath, bathing”)), also known as forest bathing, is a practice or process of therapeutic relaxation where one spends time in a forest or natural atmosphere, focusing on sensory engagement to connect with nature.

For clients in the Bay Area, or who travel to the Bay Area, we offer the Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku at our pristine 10-acre Nature Preserve in Nicasio, California. Clients can schedule individual forest bathing sessions of 3 (half-day) or up to 8 hours (daylong) to accompany an individual session. Our reserve backs up to 700 acres of private trails and fireroads to which we have deeded access.

It is situated in an Old Growth Douglas Fir meadow at the confluence of two seasonal creeks in a valley 10 miles from the nearest town, inside a 1500-acre former sheep ranch, adjacent to a number of other very large ranches. The habitat is extremely pristine. We have identified 23 species here, thus far, that we have not seen elsewhere in California, including rare orchids, birds, insects, and amphibians.

At the Nature Preserve is our film studio and library with a woodburning stove, a private forest meditation studio, a teahouse and rest cabin, hammocks, an outdoor table that can seat 25, a giant hearth, and numerous spots in the forest from which to experience its beauty and healing qualities. At certain times of year there are numerous waterfalls. Our architectural philosophy is focused on creating contexts that foster the proper intuitions of relatedness.

The reserve also has three outdoor classrooms that seat 7, 13, and 45 people respectively.

We conduct face-to-face individual sessions, communities of practice, retreats, and intensives here, 45 minutes North of the Golden Gate bridge in West Marin county.

You can learn more about our Forest Lab here.