Holly Chorba packs a lot into her latest book, “Forest Bathing in the Adirondacks: A Guide for House or Forest.” In only 66 pages, the photographer and author defines and provides a brief history of forest bathing, describes a guided forest bathing experience, discusses the history of the Adirondack region and includes several pages of citations and resources. Woven in among the information are over 100 gorgeous photographs of this natural landscape she loves.

Qing Li, a researcher and a professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo defines forest bathing as “The act of spending time in the forest is what the Japanese call shinrin-yoku, a term originating in the 1980s that means bathing in the forest atmosphere” (National Public Radio). Forest bathing, according to Chorba, is a “focused immersion in nature using the senses to draw attention to the present moment.” She describes intentional walks through the woods as meditative and peaceful with the aim of emerging from the experience with a heightened sense of well-being.

Chorba recommends embarking on the adventure with a certified guide the first time. Certified forest bathing experts exist all over the world, but the author lists the following women as her personal local favorites: Helene Gibbons and Suzanne Weirich of Adirondack Riverwalking in Saranac Lake, Debra Mitchell with the Adirondack Mountain Club and Sarah Pickard of Lazy River Forest Therapy. Guides will invite or suggest where to direct one’s focus to get the most out of the experience. She says, “The goal is to commune with nature, share what each participant wishes to do in an orderly fashion, and emerge relaxed, refreshed and enlivened.” A “speaking piece” will likely be a part of the guided tour because the activity is mostly a silent, meditative one. At the conclusion of the event, during the Tea Ceremony, participants may share their thoughts with each other or write them in a notebook.

Chorba points out that forest bathing can be accomplished alone or with a group, inside one’s home or outside; but for the woodsy walkers she advises use of the following tools:

1. Notify someone of where you will be bathing

2. Dress appropriately for the weather and terrain

3. Consider taking a notepad, a map, a cellphone, water and bug spray

4. Choose a simple snack and drink for the end of the walk

There are specific steps to follow for a forest bathing experience but a brief list includes the following suggestions:

¯ pause and listen to the sounds in the forest

¯ notice movements of birds, insects and plants

¯ feel the ground beneath your feet, the breeze, your breathing

¯ walk slowly while observing nature around you

¯ touch non-toxic plants and trees

¯ close your eyes and listen, open your eyes and listen

¯ notice colors and changes in light and shadows

¯ hug a tree, touch its bark and notice the texture

¯ feel thankful, breathe deeply

¯ find a “sit spot” if possible and relax there for as long as you want to

In the chaos of life today, Chorba’s last piece of advice seems profound: “Hold the tranquility you’ve experienced in the forest deep in your consciousness as your secret retreat during quiet moments.”

Holly Chorba has compiled an interesting body of work. Her published books are: “A Late Summer Walk Hiking the Northville-Placid Trail” (2010), “A Forest Fungi Bath” (2017) and “It’s Okay … Scream in the Shower” (2021). She also gives multimedia presentations and has won several prestigious awards for her photography. “Forest Bathing in the Adirondacks: A Guide for House or Forest” and her other books are available on Lulu, Amazon, IngramSpark and Barnes & Noble.