When I first applied in 2015, I was one of two people who had applied to use these parks for guiding tourist groups. That number has risen over the past few years, and there are a few people doing it without a proper permit...tsk tsk.. So this year they are asking all service providers who apply for the permit to attach an "Explanation of Services" to give the CRD a better idea of what is going on in the parks and if it is an appropriate use of public, taxpayer funded space. Below, is that very letter I wrote. |
~~ My services could best be described as “Hiking with a purpose beyond exercise and a few nice photos”. Forest Bathing (or shinrin-yoku) is the practice of enjoying ones natural surroundings on a more focused, sensory level. Some people incorporate yoga, tai-chi, breathing patterns or meditation into their personal practices of forest bathing, and some simply enjoy a slow-paced walk on a quiet trail. Much like yoga, there are many different ways to practice Shinrin-yoku and no real way to do it completely wrong; simply being present in a natural setting without staring at your phone is enough to ‘qualify’ as Forest Bathing. Many of my guests have practiced this before, and some are being introduced for the first time, but all have told me they truly enjoyed the experience and really needed it in their life at that point in time. Two recent guests were a mother & daughter who had recently lost their husband/father. The daughter told me after I dropped them off how great of a bonding experience it was for the two of them, and something they would remember for a long time. It makes me quite proud to know that my service is more than just a walk in the woods.
I don’t require all my guests to fully participate in all aspects of Forest bathing that I offer. It’s usually easy to tell who will be receptive to it, and who would rather just be hiking and taking in the view. There are a few invitations I extend to the guests through the day to help them indulge their senses in the natural world. Some guests are from very different parts of the world, and are quite excited to be on the trail, so these invitations help them to slow down and enjoy the moment before it’s all over and they are back in their hotel room, or on a plane flying home. Listed below are the bigger elements of Forest Bathing I utilize with my guests.
- Positive & Negative Rock:
This one is great for groups that just won’t stop talking…. I’ve worked as a bartender or server for about 10 years, so I’m good with the chatter, and usually get to know my guests pretty well by the end of the hike, but a little peace & quiet on the trail is good for everyone. Fox Walking is just what it sounds like; walk smoothly and quietly like a fox. I have the guests space themselves about 15 seconds apart on the trail and invite them to walk at a pace slow enough to allow them to look around AND watch their step, while not making a sound with their voices or footsteps. This gives them the chance to notice the subtle changes in the soundscape of the forest, and usually changes the tone for the rest of the day as guests look for more times to enjoy the sounds of the forest.
I used to be hesitant to offer this to my guests on the trail, but nearly every time I do, not only are the guests interested in trying, it also opens up a discussion on coping with mental health issues and where ‘time in nature’ lies in that equation. I’ll share with guests how a recent battle with depression brought me to a group therapy course called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We learned many strategies for coping with stress, anxiety and depression, including meditation & breathing patterns. Time in nature was also highly recommended by the instructors. I had lots of free time in my life at that point in time, so I spent many days hiking to a nice spot to have lunch and meditate. I spent close to three months doing that at least three times a week. It is this same personal healing experience that I aim to pass on to my guests. The meditation is a simple progression through our basic senses where guests are invited to focus on one sense at a time, and isolate simple elements of that sense. For example, with our sense of sound, I ask them to find one subtle sound to focus on. Rather than listening to the whole roaring river, isolate one ripple rolling over one rock within the river. There is a breathing pattern the guests are instructed to maintain while I talk them through the meditation practice. Deep, belly breaths are encouraged to activate the vagus nerve and the healing properties associated with our parasympathetic systems.
4. Hot Wild Tea: To incorporate our sense of taste in the experience, I bring a small thermos of wild tea. This also serves as a communal bonding moment for the group where we can raise our glasses to a successful day. I get out in the spring to pick the wild ingredients when they are younger and less bitter; Huckleberry leaves, Salmonberry leaves & flower petals, fir tips, I add a bit of my homegrown mint for a personal touch, and sweeten with local honey. This is always very well received during a cold, rainy hike! Just holding on to the warm enamel cup is enough to take the chill out of your bones. |
I’ve spent the past four years on this project, honing it into a truly unique experience which could never be the same if hosted by anyone else. I am sharing something very important to me with guests from around the world who have come to this unique part of Canada to experience our Island Lifestyle. I’m helping travelers to Victoria see the beautiful surrounding areas that they would never get the chance to experience without my service, and giving them a reason to travel to the region again in the future.
In case you can't tell by reading all of that... I really love my job!