Nirvana’s Paths and Forest Baths

On a sticky summer’s day at Nirvana, when it is a tad hot to do too much, I look up from my computer and notice Peter and Portia, (man and dog), meandering off, across the lawn, past the three sitting buddhas, towards the rain forest in an embrace of the sights, smells, and sounds of the natural world around them. En route they catch a sniff of eucalyptus and grass, touch the bark and berries, and come alive from the cacophony of insect, bird and wind sounds. 

Today their hike leads them to an open, rocky outreach where they explore, play imaginary hunting games, and then just plop down to lie on the grass to relax. 

Now, rested, they slip inside the cool caress of shadows and shade… the walk into the Satsung area. Camphor laurel and giant rosewood branches, under strangler figs rustle and sway in the wind. Leaves flutter and wave hello. The name for this kind of soothing experience is forest bathing. The worries and distractions of the day melt away into connection with all that is…and of being with self, other, nature …just relaxing and enjoying the pleasure of it all.

In the evening, when nature comes alive, Portia encourages me to walk with her. We stroll past frangipani and curry leaf trees, lemongrass and ginger palms. The air is cool and crisp. We breathe long and deep, a symphony of scents: soil, sedge, moss become part of the forest bathing adventure under the stars. 

Nirvana Wellbeing Sanctuary offers 70 acres of inspiring terrain and atmosphere to explore. Studies show that spending time in nature has a positive effect on mood, anxiety and focus. There’s evidence that smelling chemicals from trees called phytoncides and microbes from soil called mycobacterium vaccae may reduce stress and boost immune function.

The Sanctuary houses a rainforest which continues to attract various visitors of all kinds. In a forest bathing adventure, you spend time outdoors with people you love and soak in all its beauty and mental health benefits. A small, personally led group embarks on an exhilarating and informative adventure into the fascinating and amazing natural world of Nirvana’s rain forest. Here you are serenaded by birdsong and all of nature’s sounds and silences. You gaze out over a prehistoric landscape of ancient trees, that revitalise, stimulate and relax your mind and body.

Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat provides a unique location, and is a venue with accommodation options for a range of activities, from photo-shoots, film-shoots and creative workshops, through to corporate team building weekends, and events that require somewhere special.

Wishing you fresh air, sunshine and happy forest bathing.