Feng Shui Tip for Self-Care: Forest Bathing

When was the last time you took a walk through the woods? Or for that matter, took a moment to simply be in nature? Adopting the lifestyle of Feng Shui invites you to reconnect with just that, mother nature. It’s wonderful to bring the outside in, yet to be immersed in nature, is something quite different altogether.

Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a large body of scientific literature on the health benefits of living in the forest. Now their research is helping to establish shinrin-yoku and forest therapy throughout the world.

If you live in an urban environment, no problem! You can do shinrin-yoku anywhere – in a nearby park or in your garden or even backyard!

Below is a list of scientifically-proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku:

• Improved sleep

• Deeper and clearer intuition

• Increased flow of energy

• Increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species

• Increased flow of eros/life force

• Deepening of friendships

• Overall increase in sense of happiness

• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.

• Reduced blood pressure

• Reduced stress

• Improved mood

• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD

• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness

• Increased energy level

Curious about what you could do while forest bathing?

• walking through the forest

• yoga

• eating in the forest

• hot-spring therapy

• T’ai chi

• meditation

• breathing exercises

• aromatherapy

• art classes

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Synchronicity: Through the Lens of Feng Shui

Synchronicity happens on a daily basis, if you choose to pay attention. The most commonly referenced example of this is when you think about a friend or family member and then all of a sudden, they just happen to call within that very same moment.

According to Swiss psychologist and psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, he described synchronicity “as a glimpse into the hidden order of the universe; coincidences that link mind and matter and cannot be explained by cause and effect.” Jung explored the phenomenon of synchronicity through spirituality, the paranormal and metaphysical teachings, such as with the I-Ching. Since his time, modern day scientist have begun to advance his original research. To start, you could check out: “What does Science have to say about Synchronicity? Surprising Results” (interview conducted in 2012) and “The Science Behind Coincidence” written in 2018.

With that said, below is two brief synchronistic stories of Feng Shui occurrences that recently unfolded in my life and through observations with others.

Synchronistic Stories of Feng Shui

On the morning of February 23rd, 2019, one of the first thoughts that formulated within my mind upon waking up was, “I’d like to purchase a small gift to raffle off at the end of my Feng Shui workshop for the Montebello Library.” Within less than a minute, that seedling of an idea dissipated. As the rest of the day built momentum, I continued with tending to business emails, marketing, and fine tuning other projects I’ve been working on.

Fast forwarding to my travels toward the Montebello Library, I kept an eye out for a nursery garden store to purchase a small succulent as the raffle gift. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate the garden store, so I let the search go as not to be late.  I arrived at the Library about 45 minutes prior to the scheduled workshop start time.

Once inside the Montebello Library, the program director, Beth, greeted me right away. She had a bubbly, energetic personality. After a quick formal greeting, we wasted no time setting up the program room for the workshop. Mid-way through arranging the room, Beth turned toward me and said “ You know what’s so interesting about the start of today? I was trying to find something Feng Shui related to give away after the workshop ended and low and behold, TWO Feng Shui books were donated this very morning.” I turned to Beth and said, “that's amazing! I was trying to find a store where I could purchase a small succulent plant to gift away and it seems universe had something even better planned.”

Synchronicity. 

Keep Reading, there’s another part to this story……

One of the patrons who attended the Montebello workshop, also attended a previous workshop I hosted the weekend before at the Norwalk Library. Due to whatever reason, she was only able to catch the last 10 minutes of that particular presentation. She and I briefly spoke at the conclusion of the Norwalk Library Workshop and she excitedly began sharing, “coming here is a sign of synchronicity for me! You spoke about the concepts of creativity, which is a topic of great discussion within my life right now! And the fact that you’ll be presenting at the Montebello Library, is perfect! Because I’ll be visiting and staying with my daughter that weekend in Montebello, so I can attend that workshop in its entirety!!.”

And guess what?!….She did attend the Montebello Library workshop AND also WON one of the donated Feng Shui books!!

Synchronicity, again!!

I invite you to think about some synchronistic events that have unfolded before your eyes? Let that be from past or most recently. They happen every single day and by acknowledging them, it allows more of that momentum of being in the flow to continue.

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