BCALM is absolutely thrilled to offer our community a new and refreshing opportunity to grow your practice.

Please join us in welcoming Tracey Cook  to our panel of facilitators!

Tracey has explored a multi-faceted professional life as a wellness coach, holistic nutritionist, yoga instructor, wellness retreat leader, organic food farmer, and most recently, SYA accredited Shinrin Yoku/Forest Bathing Guide.  Forest Bathing is offered in secluded parks and urban natural spaces in and around Victoria. As your guide in this beautiful practice, Tracey will support you in fostering mindful presence, sensuous awareness, and an embodied sense of ease, peace and belonging with nature.

ABOUT FOREST BATHING

Forest bathing, known as Shinrin Yoku (森林浴) in Japanese, is the practice of mindful, sensuous immersion in natural spaces to relax, release stress and literally soak up the health benefits of being in nature as you may also re-animate your sense of connectedness with the natural world. 

There may be many wonderful things like hiking, birding, gardening, that you already do in nature in support of your overall well-being and forest bathing will offer you another delicious way to be – just be – outdoors.  The practice traditionally invites some walking over gentle terrain at an easy relaxed pace, with no need to cover any great distance.  It is not about trying to get somewhere , but really about just noticing the good that is already right here. Forest bathing de-emphasizes thinking about what we are noticing, in favour of just noticing… the landscape……. the shift in internal response to our deep presence there.

The benefits of forest bathing seem both surprising, and no surprise at all.  So much science now supports what we intuitively know to be true: we just feel better physically, mentally and emotionally in nature.  In Japan and increasingly around the world – including here in Canada – being in nature is recognized as preventative medicine and complementary health care, with numerous verified therapeutic effects including stress reduction, immune system support, reduced blood pressure, improved cardiac function, lowered inflammation, improved mood and mental health, and enhanced cognitive function and creativity. 

A typical guided session will begin with a grounding and breath practice to root us in our bodies; followed by practices in which we begin to attune our senses and open to the pleasures of the world around.  We may then begin a soft easeful walk through natural terrain. The walk will be punctuated with carefully crafted invitations for extended moments of sensory exploration and stillness.  There will be opportunities for silent solitude and perhaps for sharing, as together – with each other and natural world – we build a rich immersive and health-supportive experience.  

This is the essence of Shinrin-yoku: intentionally opening one’s senses to the life force of Nature, inviting the goodness in, and being filled with gratitude for the deep nourishment and wonder of it all. 

Forest bathing is a practice that is deepened by returning again and again.  

The shorter of these events (2 hour) will be offered in an urban setting (parks within the city) while the longer gatherings (3 hour) will be in a  rural setting.

Shinrin Yoku most often invites some slow, mindful walking over modest distances, and some locations are naturally more accessible than others.  We offer Shinrin Yoku in a variety of locations so that there will be opportunity for everyone.  Here’s what you can expect at different venues:

Fully accessible routes:

• Francis King Park (Elsie King universal trail) – fully accessible 800 m universal forested trail.  Parking lot and washrooms at the trail head.
• Beacon Hill Park: fully accessible urban forest bathing in the heart of Beacon Hill park.  Minimal walking.  Free parking and public washrooms nearby.
• Government House: fully accessible urban forest bathing in the beautiful upper manicured gardens.  Minimal walking.  Free parking and public washrooms nearby. 
• Finnerty Gardens (UVIC) – fully accessible urban forest bathing through stunning manicured gardens.  Short walk to paid parking and bus stop.  Washrooms may be available in University buildings on campus. 

Moderate routes: 

• Francis King Park – about 2 km easy walking on mostly flat trail through towering old growth Douglas Fir, Arbutus and Garry Oak habitat.  A couple of very short inclines.  Parking lot and washrooms at the trail head. 
• Royal Roads University (Charlie’s Trail) – about 2km easy walking on mostly flat trail through lovely forest alongside a friendly gurgling creek.  One short section of the trail is steep, with about 50 built in stairs and a hand rail.  Bus stop and paid parking nearby.  Washrooms may be available in University buildings on campus.
• P’KOLS/Mt Douglas Park – about 2 km walking (including some hills) to rocky outcrops with refreshing vistas, and then down into the comfortable cover of natural forest canopy.

PRIOR TO REGISTERING: Please read session details and expectations here

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DATE: SUNDAY AUGUST 17 2025

TIME: 0930-1230

LOCATION: Francis King Park-  Moderate Trail….Rain or Shine!

COST: $85 + GST

REGISTERED AND PAID BCALM MEMBERS CAN ENTER THE DISCOUNT CODE TO RECEIVE 20% REGISTRATION DISCOUNT**

Shoot an email to info@bcalm.ca to be added to the “stand by” list if this event is full. We’ll let you know if a seat opens up!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The fee will be forfeited with less than 10 days cancellation notification or non-attendance for the event

**Only those people who are active, registered and paid members qualify. Kindly use the code you have been provided