Chelito on Shinrin-Yoku & Sensory Rituals

Developed in Japan during the 1980s as a response to mounting urban stress, the practice of forest bathing is less about escape and more about return. It asks nothing of us but conscious attention to what's already there: the rustle of leaves, the quality of light, the feeling of bark beneath fingertips. Studies show that two hours of Shinrin-yoku can lower cortisol levels by up to 12% while boosting immune function and reducing blood pressure. The practice works by activating our parasympathetic nervous system — the body's natural rest-and-restore mode.

The technique is deceptively simple: walk slowly, breathe deeply, and engage all five senses in nature without agenda. Let curiosity, not destination, guide your steps.

“I find the same stillness in hiking through a forest, watching the wind blow through the trees, studying botanical drawings from the Hilma af Klint exhibit at the MOMA, lighting a candle with woody resinous notes, breathing in essential oils in the palm of my hands, taking a bath and putting on some Shinrin Yoku All Over Oil from Earl of East" says Chelito Villafor, our friend and founder @thoughtforms_studio, sharing how he has woven Shinrin-yoku into his daily rhythm. "It's about training your attention to notice — the texture of bark, the way light filters through leaves, or how cedar scent can shift your entire nervous system."

While a forest is ideal, you don't need one to practice Shinrin-yoku. The same sensory engagement can happen anywhere: a window cracked open to let morning air carry in the scent of distant trees. A candle that fills your space with the deep, grounding notes of cedar and pine. Skin oils that transform a quiet moment on the floor into something sacred — each drop carrying the forest's essence to awaken that same parasympathetic calm.

When objects carry intention, they become vessels for practice. The right blend of cedar, pine, and earth can bridge the distance between concrete and canopy, bringing the forest's restorative power into any space willing to slow down.

The practice remains the same: presence and the whisper of woods, wherever you are.

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Book here to discover our curated Earl of East Shinrin-Yoku collection in-studio, featuring the All Over Body Oil, Scented Soy Wax Candle, and Essential Oil Blend, all designed to bring forest bathing into your daily care ritual.