A growing body of research points to something that many of us understand intuitively to be true—that spending time in nature positively impacts your physical, mental, and emotional health. Time in nature can lower your blood pressure and stress-hormone levels. It can also enhance immune system function, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.
Forest Therapy, which is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing), provides a framework for spending deliberate, immersive, healing time in nature. Forest Therapy Guides are trained to teach others how to slow down and deepen their interaction with the natural world.
Friends of Princeton Open Space invites you to join us for a Mindfulness in Nature workshop, led by Alex Crowley, a Nurse Practitioner and an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified Guide. Alex will lead us on a short, structured walk—which will include a lot of sitting time—that incorporates exercises to help participants focus on mindfulness and attentiveness in nature, while also embracing the many opportunities for creativity and serendipity offered by the forest.
$30 per person, plus Eventbrite fee | Must be 18 years or older.
Wear comfortable clothing and a mask and social distancing practices will be in place.
This is an outdoor event and will take place rain or shine. There are no refunds.
ALEXANDRA (ALEX) CROWLEY is certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy as a Forest Therapy Guide. After solidifying her love of nature at the University of Vermont, Alex started her career as a sixth grade math and science teacher in the inner city school system in New York City with Teach for America. Alex comes from a medical family and she soon realized her passion was to become a nurse. Alex spent years studying at Columbia University and working in New York City hospitals, and is now an accomplished nurse practitioner specializing in mental health working in the student health center at Princeton University. The synchronicity between mental health wellness and environmental wellness first drew Alex to Forest Therapy. She has a passion to bring health and wellness to people and their environment through guiding walks in a safe and accessible way. As a Forest Therapy guide, Alex gets to live all her passions, nature, healing and teaching, and share them with the world.
For information about Friends of Princeton Open Space, please visit fopos.org.