Forest Bathing – Shinrin-yoku
In the pine forests of Monte Pino, the wind moves slowly through the needles of the great Pinus pinaster trees, light filters between the trunks, and the scent of resin mingles with the aromas of myrtle, mastic and juniper. The air changes in texture. It becomes fresher and more intense, almost able to envelop both body and mind.
This profound sensation is the origin of the Forest Bathing experience—literally, “bathing in the forest”—known in Japan as Shinrin-yoku. Developed in the East during the 1980s and now practised in many natural areas around the world, it is based on slow, mindful immersion in forest environments.
Shinrin-yoku is not a sporting excursion. Nor is it simply a walk in the woods. It is a sensory experience that invites us to slow our pace, breathe deeply, listen to the wind, observe the light among the trees and re-establish an authentic relationship with nature.
With its extensive Pinus pinaster forests, Monte Pino is a particularly evocative place in which to enjoy this kind of experience. The balsamic scent of resin, the shade of the forest, the silence broken only by wind and birds, and the constant presence of the sea on the horizon transform the walk into an immersive experience among the scents and aromas of the Mediterranean scrub.
In recent years, Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) has been the subject of numerous international studies into the beneficial effects that immersion in forest environments may have on a person’s mental and physical well-being. Various studies have shown that spending time in conifer-rich forests may help reduce stress and cortisol levels and improve the general perception of well-being. Particular attention has been given to terpenes and aromatic substances released by trees and forest resins, including those of Pinus pinaster.
Particular attention has been devoted to the natural aromatic compounds released by trees, resins and forest plants. In the case of Pinus pinaster, the great maritime pine that symbolises Monte Pino, studies and research have identified aromatic, balsamic and antioxidant substances associated with the plant’s resins and essential oils.
“The Breath of the Forest” arises from this balance between nature and perception: an experience that brings the ancient charm of Mediterranean pine forests together with modern practices of nature immersion and environmental well-being.
Because on Monte Pino, the forest is not simply crossed. It is heard. It is breathed. It is lived.