The Wild Pause: A Mindfulness in Nature & Forest Bathing Experience

The Wild Pause is my signature 2-hour forest bathing and mindfulness in nature experience in Richmond Park.

Across a gently paced 1km woodland journey, you will be guided through breathing practices, sensory invitations, stillness and gentle movement, followed by Eco Nidra, gentle sound and a woodland tea ceremony.

The experience is designed to support:

• Reduction of mental noise and overstimulation

• A calmer, more settled nervous system

• Clearer attention and greater sensory awareness

• A stronger connection with your body, nature and yourself

Shinrin-yoku, often translated as forest bathing, is the Japanese practice of experiencing a forest through the senses. The emphasis is not on distance or destination. Attention is guided towards scent, sound, texture, light, space and the responses taking place within your own body.

You do not need to empty your mind, know how to meditate or produce a particular feeling.

WHAT THE EXPERIENCE INCLUDES

• A gently paced woodland journey of approximately 1km

• Simple breathing practices and guided sensory invitations

• Periods of stillness and quiet reflection

• Eco Nidra - a guided lie-down meditation combining a body scan and visualisation

• Gentle sound accompanying the closing meditation

• A woodland tea ceremony with seasonal herbal tea

• Optional opportunities to reflect and share

No previous experience of meditation or forest bathing is needed.

WHY 2 HOURS?

The length is intentional.

Most of us arrive carrying the pace and stimulation of the day. Two hours gives the body, senses and attention time to settle gradually, while allowing each part of the experience to unfold without being rushed.

THE RESEARCH

Research into shinrin-yoku has associated time in forest environments with reductions in cortisol and blood pressure, improvements in mood, sharpened memory, focus, and creativity, balanced immune function, improved sleep, higher heart rate variability, and at the core of it - increased parasympathetic activity - the part of the nervous system associated with rest and restoration.

Japanese have been prescribing forest bathing as preventative medicine since 1980s.

SMALL GROUPS BY DESIGN

Groups are kept intentionally small to preserve the personal and unhurried nature of the experience.

You will be guided throughout, with space to share if you wish and no pressure if you do not.

YOUR GUIDE

I’m Linda Prigarska, founder of The Wild Pause.

I am a certified Forest Bathing+ Guide, trained by The Forest Bathing Institute, and an INFOM-certified International Shinrin-Yoku Instructor.

I completed my INFOM training in Japan, with certification awarded by Dr Michiko Imai and Dr Qing Li, the world’s leading researchers in forest medicine.

You can find me on Instagram at @the.wild.pause.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Despite the name, no water is involved.

We move slowly, but the route includes natural and uneven ground. Forest bathing takes place in most weather. Sessions will only be cancelled when conditions such as thunderstorms or strong winds make entering the woodland unsafe.

If you are unsure whether the experience is suitable for you, please feel welcome to contact me before booking.