Shinrin-yoku meditation 1: Discover Japanese forest bathing

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese phrase for ‘forest bathing’. In this exercise you will be gently guided to a beautiful peaceful forest by practicing forest bathing with Mayumi Kataoka. To begin, get in a comfortable position in a quiet and safe environment.

Forest bathing is all about absorbing nature through all five senses. Source: Getty Images

With Shinrin-yoku, you go to a natural area, see the trees, notice the season, breathe deeply, and start to relax your body and mind. 

Born in Japan, Mayu moved here in 2003 after working as a volunteer for the Sydney Olympic games and falling in love with the Australian landscape. Her work as a nature photographer led her to a new career as a certified forest therapy guide. She now runs Forest Minds and takes people on therapeutic Shinrin-yoku walks, mainly around Sydney’s north shore.

Follow Great Minds in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or the SBS Radio app for more shinrin-yoku.