FOREST BATHING — Curious locals and visitors explored Wisconsin's first certified forest bathing trail Sunday afternoon during its grand opening at Tara Lila's Section 9 in Eagle River. The event included a dedication, time on the trail, tea and charcuterie. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan in the 1980s and encourages people to slow down and connect with nature through mindful awareness of their surroundings. Here, Cindy Conlon, a certified forest therapy guide who spearheaded the new self-guided trail, shows visitors where to pick up the printed guide, which features mindfulness prompts to follow at each stop. —Staff Photos By CHRISTINA BRANDMEIER
Kathy Wojciechowicz, Cheryl Chadwick and Tara Lila land manager Chris Nafziger, who worked with Conlon on the project, gather at the first trail marker. Wojciechowicz said she and Chadwick came to learn about forest bathing and were surprised to learn it didn't involve jumping into a lake.
The dedication included a short tea ceremony in which mushroom chai tea from Northwoods Tea and Herb was poured back into the earth in gratitude.
Conlon invites participants to close their eyes and tune in to their surroundings by listening to the breeze and the trees swaying in the wind.
Conlon joins visitors on the new trail for a hands-on introduction to forest bathing.
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