Breathe the Air of Trees

Last night I stood on the back deck and took a deep breath. It had just rained. After an especially warm, sunny day the trees and shrubs were leafing out and the fragrance was absolutely intoxicating. In Qigong, we call this “breathing the air of trees”. It’s a delightful way to build deep energy and well-being.

You have probably heard of “forest bathing”. Basically, it means taking the time to walk through the woods slowly enough to appreciate the sounds, colors, aromas, and beauty of nature around you. Trees are a powerful metaphor and inspiration for us in Qigong, and also provide healing compounds and fragrances.  Spending time with trees is proven to enhance physical, mental, and emotional health. It lowers anxiety, relieves depression, and boosts immune response. Not surprisingly, its roots are in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  

If this intrigues you, I enthusiastically invite you to join me at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA, this July. My friends and colleagues John and Mary Platt, authors of The Five Element Orchard, How to Harvest Energy from Trees and I will lead a three-day immersion where you will learn how each species of tree has a specific, healing quality, and how to connect to and benefit from it. I taught this last summer with the Platts, and it was a beautiful and powerful experience, not least of all because of the gorgeous setting including magnificent old-growth trees, and delicious organic meals provided by the highly rated kitchens at Kripalu!

Harvesting the Energy of Trees with Qigong / July 21–23