Forest Bathing Walk with Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley — Politics and Prose

We will meander under tall trees, cross picturesque bridges over musical streams, and climb stone steps through a century-old cultivated and wild woodland landscape reminiscent of “the secret garden.”

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, began in the 1980s in Japan and it is rooted in the traditional Japanese reverence for nature. Forest bathing is a mindfulness practice akin to meditation, yoga and tai chi that involves tuning in to the beauty and wonder of your natural surroundings with all of your senses.

Melanie is a nature and forest therapy guide with certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides & Programs and she has participated in guided shinrin-yoku walks throughout Japan.

She will guide you on a calming and rejuvenating walk through the Tregaron woodland with plenty of time to slow down and soak up the beauty of this enchanting wild garden, one of the best kept secrets in our city.

Meet at the iron gate entrance on Klingle Road, NW. Please note there is another entrance to the Conservancy on Macomb Street, NW and also pedestrian access from the Rock Creek Park Klingle Valley Trail.

Know Before You Go:

Politics and Prose is now following DC Government and CDC guidelines for Covid protocol. Masks are optional. We are encouraging the use of wearing masks but will not be checking vaccination cards or mandating that everyone wear a mask.

We’ll continue monitoring the Covid situation closely, and any decision to reinstate a mask mandate or vaccine acknowledgement requirement will be tied to the community rating system recently introduced by the CDC.

Preparation for the Walk: Dress in comfortable clothing and be prepared for slow walking on natural trails and stone steps with some hill climbing. Bring rain gear if showers are expected.

Weather Policy: We will go ahead in light intermittent rain but will reschedule if steady heavy rain is in the forecast.

Directions, Map and other information:

Tregaron is a 10-15 minute walk from the Cleveland Park and Woodley Metro stops and can be accessed on foot or by bicycle (no bikes allowed within Tregaron) from the Klingle Valley Trail in Rock Creek Park.

We will meet at the iron gate entrance at 3031 Klingle Road, NW. You may also enter from 3100 Macomb Street, NW and walk through the park to meet up with us at the gate on Klingle.

Please note: there are no restrooms at Tregaron. There is a Starbucks on Connecticut Avenue across from the Zoo on Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park, each of which is a 10-15 minute walk from the meeting place.

Please visit this site for detailed transportation options and directions, a map and information about the Tregaron Conservancy:

https://www.tregaronconservancy.org/directions/.

Registration Limited to 15 people.