Is ‘forest bathing’ a way to escape Hong Kong’s stifling city buzz and truly appreciate nature?
- Sensory practice involves immersing oneself in nature and paying attention to wild surroundings, sometimes with the help of blindfolds, to connect with the peace and quiet
A howl breaks the silence surrounding the High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung. It is not by any wild animal though, but by Jasmine Nunns, a forest therapy guide, calling to her participants – or “forest bathers”.
“Forest bathing offers a break from city life. Listening to the sound of birds is not like listening to traffic and people. It’s about reconnecting with our bodies, and other people,” says Nunns, 33, founder of Kembali, a group that offers nature and forest therapy walks, as well as workshops for corporations and individuals.
Nunns has been guiding nature walks on various trails across Hong Kong since 2017, as well as organising women-only swimming groups in rock pools and waterfalls. She says she hopes to help participants experience the healing power of nature. Participants are invited to wear blindfolds to encourage them to explore their hearing and spatial awareness.
“We’re stressed out, we’re more disconnected than ever, and the statistics of young people who are taking their own lives ... Hong Kong is the hardest place to do this kind of work, but it’s necessary.”
Nunns grew up in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, where she spent a lot of time with her younger brother playing in the mountains and rivers – what she considers “the best playground in the world”.
