The City of Calgary’s first official forest bathing pathway opened this September at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. If you haven’t already checked it out, you’ll definitely want to in the next few weeks.
The designated path has been certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), global leaders in forest therapy.
Calgarians familiar with the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary know it to be an ecological haven for nature lovers and bird watchers alike.
Filled with balsam poplar trees that turn a golden hue in fall, the self-guided forest bathing trail is especially beautiful during the autumn months
Supporting well-being
Calgary’s first forest bathing trail was created in partnership with the City of Calgary’s Parks & Open Spaces. The trail is designed to support the well-being of all Calgarians, residents and visitors alike.
The self-guided path takes visitors through a sensory exploration, encouraging them to find sanctuary in the natural environment.
“Research shows truly being in nature — taking time to slow down and really experience the natural world — can reduce stress, improve mood, boost creativity and even lower blood pressure,” said Carmen Hindson, manager of parks, downtown and centre city operations, in a press release.
“The Forest Bathing Trail at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary helps teach us how to be present in nature, how to appreciate our natural surroundings, and how we react when we simply be with nature,” she continued.
Although it’s not a literal “bathing” experience, the trail offers a chance to immerse yourself in the forest surroundings.
The concept of forest bathing originates from 1980s Japan, where a rise in anxiety and stress-related illnesses resulted in a wealth of research on whether spending time in forested environments was beneficial.
“Forest Bathing” (“shinrin-yoku” in Japanese) was created as a result of that research. Here in Canada, with an abundance of forests and natural environments, the concept pairs particularly well with our lifestyle.
Guided mindfulness
A welcome sign with information greets visitors at the beginning of the trail. There are five stations along the 1 km loop, with each station linking to a recorded “invitation” created by Ken Ouendag, an ANFT-certified forest therapy guide and trail consultant based in Calgary.
“Each invitation is unique, but all encourage people to be present and connect with the place through their senses,” he said in a press release. “You can follow the invitation or adapt it in whatever way feels right. We encourage you to listen to your body and give it what it needs during your time in nature on the trail.”
Trail users can either scan the QR codes with their phones and listen to the invitations through headphones or take advantage of printed invitations available for those who prefer not to use an electronic device.
Invitations are between one and several minutes in length, and users are encouraged to utilize the seat mats and tarps available at the welcome sign for meditation. These guided mindfulness journeys will also change seasonally, keeping in pace with natural weather changes.
Heading to the forest this fall is an excellent opportunity to regain your footing and find stillness in nature. As the leaves change and bring a warm autumn glow to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, this is the perfect time to do it.
When: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset
Where: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary — 2425 9th Ave. SE
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