Getting out in nature aka Forest Bathing is a long recognized healing therapy in Ayurveda. Spring and fall are around the corner. Elevate your prakruti, by spending time in nature and aligning with larger rhythms.
I really enjoy when I see something presented as new information from the health care industry, which Ayurveda has traditionally taught as healthful. It confirms the amazing experience that my study and practice of Ayurveda is. The latest I have read is an article on the benefits of Forest Bathing.
Forest Bathing Has Proven Benefits
Time in nature is treated as a healing therapy in many countries. Shinrin yoku is the name for this practice in Japan. Studies done in Japan indicate that time in nature is time well spent. Immune system strength improves, heart rate and blood pressure measurements normalize. Time in the forest helps people feel better about life.
“What is a new trend for us in Germany is something long since practiced in Japan: In 1970, the Akasawa Forest was declared the first “Natural Recreational Forest” and since the early 1980s “shinrin yoku” (translated quite literally as “bathing in forest air”) has been part of the government health program.” – Julia Schmitz
Nature-based healing is gaining in popularity in Europe and the United States. More and more people see the need to balance screen time with being out in the trees under the open sky. Ayurveda always included nature time as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Ayurveda on Sun Bathing & Forest Bathing Elevate Your Prakruti
Tapas Seva
Sunbathing or Tapas Seva is considered a form of healing to help passify the dosha. This does not mean burning, baking in the sun from 11 am to 2 pm if you are pitta dominant. Early morning sun is wonderful way to elevate your prakruti, warm things up if Vata or Kapha dosha are predominant.
From a western perspective sunbathing increases vitamin D production in the body and boosts a healthy immune response. Survivalists suggest that sunbathing naked is naturally disinfecting and helps keep your skin biome strong and healthy.
Maruta Seva
In Ayurveda Maruta Seva, taking air is second way to remind the dosha to stay happily in their home site. (Shamana). Taking air means getting outside in nature and enjoying it on a regular basis. Ongoing time in nature refines our expression of the dosha in our prakruti. Ease in the forest is sattvic (refined & spiritual)
Maruta Seva helped me to heal after an eye operation. The first part of my recovery required me to hold my head still at a fixed angle for weeks. I used meditation and mantra to support my sitting still to recover.
One of the first things I did after I could move freely, was go down to Cape Cod and walk on some familiar forest trails. The supportive feel of the earth under my feet, the sight of the bright sky, the smell of the forest and the whispering sound of the ocean were incredibly healing. For some more ways that maruta seva can help your health check here.
Commune With Nature
Forest bathing is not about making a number of steps goal or breaking any speed records, rather it is about joining and experiencing the plants and trees. Ease in nature is peaceful. Elevate your prakruti and align with the larger rhythms of nature.
Forests have some beautiful qualities gunas that balance a day full of stress multitasking and too much time on electronic screens. Plants talk to each other using electrical and chemical messaging through their roots and leaves. We generally feel the effects of their communication in a positive way.
Benefits of Forest Time That Balance Modern Living
Shamana Supports Health
Passifying the dosha is a big part of Ayurveda’s wellness plan, a basic form of disease prevention. Shamana is suggested for the early stages of dosha imbalance described in Samprati (disease process). As we moved through the day and the seasons, we used to naturally balance the effects of season and age with shifts in our diet and lifestyle.
Culturally now alignment is less automatic for us, but one benefit of Ayurveda is that it teaches practices and tools to help. Marut Seva is a bonus way to balance and heal. For me, it is a treat to understand that being out in nature sunbathing and forest bathing feels good and supports being balance in my best expression (sattvic) of my nature.
Ayurselfcare’s purpose is to educate on the benefits of Ayurveda. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for learning purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.