Elite Traveler HRS 2024

DISCOVER

SHINRIN YOKU

The practice of forest bathing seems like an ancient one, conjuring visions of druids celebrating the summer solstice or worshiping the Green Man. And though the bene fi ts of fresh air and proximity to nature certainly aren’t anything new, forest bathing o ffi cially only became a practice established in the zeitgeist in 1980s Japan, seen as the perfect antidote for modern living. This prompted a slew of scienti fi c studies and research, which all reinforced what has long been assumed — engul fi ng yourself in nature is good for the soul. I took to the 400-acre forests surrounding Heck fi eld Place with the in-house mindfulness teacher, Benjamin, who guides the forest therapy sessions. His goal for our session is to amplify the power of being immersed in the forest with some mindfulness practices. We meet by the fl oating forest at the entrance to The Bothy; then we head out and pause at the foot of a giant redwood. Standing at the base of this huge, 165-year-old sequoia (brought over by Wildsmith) is the ideal place to start: Nothing reminds you of the sheer might of nature better than a tree of this size. Through breathing exercises, guided meditation and opening up all my senses to the forest, I was quickly brought to a feeling of calm and peace. Benjamin encourages me, with closed eyes, to listen to the sound of the birds in the trees, the wind humming through their branches. The sounds of nature are received di ff erently by the brain so the sound of the forest triggers balance and relaxation. As I inhale deeply, I breathe in the abundance of essential oils that are naturally released into the air by the trees. These oils are proven to decrease blood pressure, reduce cortisone levels and encourage white blood cells to regenerate. The multi-sensory calmness lasts long after I’ve fi nished the session.

Clockwise from opposite Heck fi eld Place; the 60-ft swimming pool, The Waters; sauna at The Bothy spa

The Bothy is also home to a program of carefully considered movement classes. Desperately dodging the cold water immersion, I experienced 90 minutes of shinrin-yoku , otherwise known as forest bathing. The whole experience at The Bothy leaves me feeling lighter. And that’s down to the ethos of The Bothy that mirrors that of Heck fi eld itself. Time works di ff erently here. It is slow, it is important, and it reconnects you to the healing power of nature. From $380 per night. Contact enquiries@heck fi eldplace.com, +44 118 932 6868, bothy.heck fi eldplace.com

— the lounge chairs are huge; the treatment times are long; the pace is relaxed and unhurried. The Oak Terrace is home to an alfresco hydrotherapy pool plus a plunge bucket of ice-cold water — I didn’t have the courage nor the inclination to pull the string and allow myself to be awoken from my calm, warm state of relaxation, but it’s there if you’ve got the mettle. There are six treatment rooms, all found in the subterranean part of The Bothy. Treatments range from the expected (facials and full body massages), to the unexpected (myofascial release and naturopathy).

Photos Paul Massey