Today we went to Williamson River Canyon to do a student led wandering and nature awareness group based on the Japanese principal of shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing”.

This is a mindfulness exercise about opening up the 5 senses while in nature. Studies have show that this helps with balancing cortisol levels and white blood cell counts in the body and lowers feelings of stress and anxiety.

During the nature awareness group, each of the students took turns leading the group in silence. We shared about the experience of listening to sounds with a focused awareness and metaphors for life beyond the walk. Afterwards, the students swam and spent time by the river.