Know Your Forest Therapy Guide
Dipika Sinha (Sharma) Certified Forest Bathing Guide in India

I have always been drawn to the serenity of the hills, the verdant forest, the sounds of the whistling winds, the gurgling brook the noisy chirping of the cricket on a summer’s day. You may see me lying down on a green patch of soft mountain grass, eyes close a smile on my lips as the sun’s rays dance around my eyes narrating a story in shadows. This is my moment of pure bliss!!

Research has now proven that the early childhood experience help shape us as individuals. It is no surprise that having spent my early years in the tranquil locales of Upper Assam, I can easily unwind and de-stress amidst nature. Let me take you briefly down memory lane. I am certain I took my first step in the lush green patch surrounding our tea-garden home. I have vivid memories of running about the grass bare-feet, or rolling around the grounds gently avoiding the earth-worm mounds, climbing the wide branches of the pomelo tree to fix a delicious tangy snack. The serenity & calm was occasionally broken when a band of local monkeys decided to raid the fruit trees lining our home or when the elephants were crossing the animal corridor skirting our bungalow as they made their way to the other side of the forest. Life in the wilderness was pure bliss, There was never a dull moment. We would pack a little hamper and sit around the Hollong tree grove, and watch with fascination as tiny ants appeared to fetch the crumbs and disappear with their loots into the roots of the tree, or a bright red lady bug would precariously climb our toes only to spread its wings and fly away leaving the dragon flies to hover around the tall grass as we watched fascinated and wove a story around their lives!! Growing up I don’t remember us falling ill, ever. Could it be the clean fresh environment?

It was more recently, with the mounting stresses of everyday life, mysterious ailments plaguing my now urban body, I started yearning to get away from it all and seek solace in the serenity that nature had in abundance. My escapes were for a week, maybe less and each time I came back totally rejuvenated, my skin glowing my senses re-charged and I was rearing to go. I was surprised by the transformation I was able to consciously notice and wanted to understand more. Could it be my innate love for the out-doors or perhaps a trigger that allowed me to return to a space of happy child-hood memories? I wanted to know more!