On Wednesday afternoon, Canoe Creek State Park hosted its first forest bathing event, taking individuals on a guided nature walk on the park trails.

“The goal is to stop, feel and slow down,” environmental education specialist at Prince Gallitizin state park Suzanne Rensel said, encouraging people to take “steps forward.”

The roots of forest bathing

When embarking on a forest bath, Rensel said people can focus on “the general feeling of a spot,” like beside a lake or underneath a tree.

Mirror photo by Colette Costlow / Hikers stand with environmental education specialist Suzanne Rensel (right), ready to bathe in nature’s pool of relaxation.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the concept of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice created in 1982 that encourages people to reconnect and immerse themselves in nature.

You only get wet, however, if you get caught in the rain.

Rensel led the forest bathing activity Wednesday afternoon by guiding participants on paved and woodchip trails throughout Canoe Creek State Park. She pointed out details along the way such as nearby insects or fallen leaves.

She also read aloud a collection of nature quotes from popular figures like Rachel Carson, Stewart Udall and Edward Abbey to show that people in the past have used the outdoors to “reflect.”

When participating in this workshop, environmental education specialist Heidi Mullendore said some people will be “amazed” when they see things they might not have seen before.

Mirror photo by Colette Costlow / Di Mueller of Scalp looks out over the lake at Canoe Creek State Park.

“People tend to treat nature better when they’re connected,” she said.

Forest bathing isn’t just about nature; it’s about you, too. There are numerous health benefits to forest bathing such as reducing the stress hormone cortisol and positively impacting blood pressure, Cleveland Clinic wrote.

People in Japan are currently studying the effects of shinrin-yoku and how the activity impacts blood pressure and overall health, Rensel said.

Mullendore said that connecting with the outdoors will help “destress people.”

When going for a walk, she said people “start noticing all of the things around you. You’re not stressed out as much, and you feel more at peace.”

Old and new experiences

For Annie Baltzer, 43, and her daughter Gaia, 10, nature is “definitely our passion.”

Forest baths are no stranger to Baltzer; she frequently teaches her own sessions and even leads a “barefoot walk” encouraging kids to take off their shoes.

While walking through nature barefoot, she said the “experience completely changes because you’re paying attention to what you’re walking on and having a different sensory experience. … It’s a big first step and a way to connect kids with nature.”

Forest bathing is one way Gaia prefers to get connected with nature.

“I love nature,” she said, noting that she recommends the activity.

Baltzer said a forest bath is very different from a hike because “you’re trying to get somewhere” while hiking, but “you’re taking a moment to drink everything in” when forest bathing.

“You don’t get to do that very often in life,” she said.

Feeling free is what Hollidaysburg Veteran’s Home resident Tony Trio, 69, said he was looking forward to doing on the walk.

Both he and his friend, Jerry Mobley, 69, said they have never heard of a forest bath before, but they each enjoyed being outside.

Mobley was especially fascinated with monarch butterflies, which was why he noticed one flitting among the nearby bushes and alerted others to the creature’s presence.

Trees are another natural item that sticks out to Scalp resident Di Mueller, 72, showing off her wedding band which also happens to be a tree-shaped tattoo around her ring finger.

“I have an affinity for trees,” she said.

She said she has been interested in forest bathing for “a number of years,” so she was really delighted to see that Canoe Creek offered the program.

Bathing in benefits

According to Mueller, forest bathing is a “really positive self-caring experience.”

“And it’s free,” she said.

With a world consumed by screens, local areas such as Canoe Creek encourage people to unplug from the digital world and reconnect with the outdoors.

Many participants from Wednesday’s activity recommend it.

“Nature is just good for people,” Mullendore said. “It is beneficial in our lives with what we know and how we treat nature.”

Aside from knowledge, Rensel said “the more time you realize that this is beneficial for your health, maybe having green spaces is important, not just for plants and animals but for people.”

First-time forest bather Trio also recommends it “as long as you’re with good company,” he noted.

Baltzer said there is a “sweet spot” for how many minutes people should spend outside each day that will help “reset your body.”

“Everyone should (forest bathe) all the time,” she said.

Taking 10 minutes out of your day to stop and smell the roses can offer benefits to those who dare to adventure.

“I think you can feel a connection somehow, not only with the trees and the forest but with each other,” Mueller said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.