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Prepare your backpack and come to the meeting point. The hike begins. Walk along the path of the old Ice Makers of the city. Learn the history of the workers and become one with the autumn landscape. Reach beautiful clearings and let your energy awaken. Arrive at the refuge and experience Forest bathing. Focus on your inner fluidity and mobility. Enjoy a detoxifying beverage and relax in the refuge’s beautiful courtyard.
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Forest bathing or shinrin yoku? Regardless of how you call it, this outing combines all the benefits one can gain from an escape to nature, in combination with a type of exercise based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which considers humans as a part of nature. Research has demonstrated the multiple benefits of combining forest bathing with Qigong and Tai Chi practices. Harvard Medical School ranks Tai Chi as the second-best exercise among the top five.
Following the cycles of nature, in Chinese Medicine, winter has Yin energy and is associated with the water element, which connects to the kidneys and the urinary bladder. In nature, during winter, all processes slow down. Water freezes, animals hibernate, seeds and plants remain dormant, conserving energy. In perfect harmony with this cycle of nature, humans, as part of nature, can benefit from a series of exercises that focus on the water element, the cultivation and maintenance of energy, and nourishment through nature. Through these exercises, we focus on internal fluidity, flexibility, plasticity, muscular strength, and mobility, maintaining our internal water’s fluidity, keeping our joints flexible, and our bones healthy. We also focus on strengthening the spinal column and maintaining proper posture.
You will feel grounded, stable, and supported as you connect with the earth through Tai Chi walking. We will focus on the foot, where the kidney meridian begins in Chinese Medicine, representing the ultimate grounding point, creating both physical and energetic connection with the earth (especially when walking barefoot in nature). We emphasize the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong. Our connection to the earth and stability are also essential in hiking, and creating a sense of rootedness, like trees with a flexible trunk that flows with the wind without resistance!
From the meeting point, our hiking journey begins towards the Chortiatis refuge. The autumn landscape is magical, and the colors are amazing.
During our hike, we will stop at certain clearings where we will perform special stretching exercises to relax our bodies and minds and gradually release our energy.
After approximately 1.5 hours, we arrive at the Chortiatis refuge, where we will experience forest bathing with Qigong and Tai Chi practice. We will feel rooted, stability, and support as we connect with the earth through the practice of Tai Chi walking.
After the completion of the Forest bathing experience, you can enjoy a handmade detoxifying beverage. And, of course, anyone who wishes can savor the amazing food offered by the refuge.
After enjoying our beverage and being filled with beautiful autumn scenes, we descend along the same path back to the initial meeting point.
