health Archives - Green Shinto

News has come of an exciting new project on the American mainland, which will certainly be of interest to Green Shinto readers and may even be inspirational for those considering their own shrine (hokora) projects. Watch this space for further posts about the development of the project, for its final outcome is yet to be determined. Here is the public announcement by the group…

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Welcoming Sukunabikona, the shinto deity of “medicine” and “fermentation” in the Catskill area in upstate New York

Our mission is to bring the beauty of Japanese culture, cuisine, and tradition to the US and the Catskill Mountains of the Hudson Valley, where we are blessed to be surrounded by incredible natural beauty. One of our prime objectives is to promote good health through fermented foods. We feature a fermented beverage called Omiki- which comes from Okinawa and Amami Oshima. In addition
to a restaurant and shop featuring dishes and items made with Omiki and other ferments, we hold workshops to teach how to make and enjoy this traditional health-promoting beverage.

Another offering is the ancient therapy, “mugwort steaming”, which is said to enhance health and beauty. Mugwort, known as the queen of the herbs, grows in abundance in this region. We combine this powerful medicinal plant with other native plants to customize steams for our clients. The full body herbal steam allows naturally occurring beneficial microbes to be absorbed externally and internally to enhance the microbiome, and thereby promote health and wellness.

We also add “Makomo” to our mix- a sacred medicinal plant that is a relative of wild rice from Izumo in Shimane prefecture, where it is known as “the grass where the gods reside”. Makomo is filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and silicon. It is known for its ability to cleanse and purify water- in nature and in our bodies, and is used as both food and medicine.

Our goal is to promote health and wellness of the planet and its inhabitants through Japanese tradition and knowledge of plants and fermentation.
Now we are also embarking on a project to introduce the deity Sukunabikona to the beautiful Catskills.

It is said that the story of Issumboshi is based on Sukunabikona. According to the legend, though small in stature, Sukunabikona had many powers – and worked alongside Ookuninushi to create the land, and is known to be a god of healing, agriculture, plant medicine, sake, fermentation, micro-organisms, hotsprings, and magic. We believe that this deity will be of great ally for us here in the Catskills.

We are collaborating with Dr. Seiji Yamamoto (a practitioner and representative of Aiko-ryu Kiko Seitai in Japan) to locate the perfect place to welcome and house the deity. He will travel from Japan to conduct the ritual to invite the deity to reside in the new home, and we are grateful that he has been very supportive of this project.

This project will serve as a bridge between Izumo – a land known for its many deities – and the Catskills. It is our hope that the creation of a shrine for Sukunahikona-no Mikoto will offer spiritual support and many benefits for the Japanese and local communities in the area, and that it will become a “power spot” for those who strive to bring harmony to the planet.

Recently the perfect location for the project was found within the beautiful grounds of Menla in Phoenicia, NY. Menla is a retreat facility and a renowned spa surrounded by pristine mountain forest which were revered as sacred place by its natives, the Esopus and Mahicans. Menla operates under the wing of Tibet House in NYC, and it has committed to bring peace and spiritual awakening through their offerings. Their welcoming attitude to bring the shinto deity, Sukunabikona has been very moving. Menla’s grounds and its land are open to the public, and visitors who wish to pay homage to Sukunabikona are welcome anytime.

Our wish is to have many people participate in this project. All proceeds will go towards this project. Please enter your information on our mailing list to receive updates on the project. We appreciate your support from the bottom of our hearts.
Thank you for reading until the end.
Sincerely,
Friends of bringing Sukunahikona to the Catskills

Corporate sponsors:
● Oh Mammy LLC
● Kannon Herbs and Steam LLC
● Menal / Tibet House US
● Tanma! Ramen Tavern
● Bon Odori Dance Festival for Peace

The delightfully secluded Kuzuryu Shrine set in the woods

Getting back to nature: how forest bathing can make us feel better

The Japanese have known for years that spending mindful time in the woods is beneficial for body and soul. Now western doctors – and royals – agree

Forest bathing and renewal Harriet Sherwood in The Observer Sat 8 Jun 2019

Every day, apart from when it’s raining heavily, Dr Qing Li heads to a leafy park near the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo where he works. It’s not just a pleasant place to eat his lunch; he believes the time spent under the trees’ canopy is a critical factor in the fight against diseases, of the mind and body.

Once a month Li spends three days in forests near Tokyo, using all five senses to connect with the environment and clear his mind. This practice of shinrin-yoku – literally, forest bath – has the power to counter illnesses including cancer, strokes, gastric ulcers, depression, anxiety and stress, he says. It boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and aids sleep. And soon it could be prescribed by British doctors.

Rees & Mount Aspiring National Park Dart and Cascade Saddle Track

Last week the Woodland Trust suggested forest bathing – which doesn’t, despite its name, involve getting in water – should be among a range of non-medical therapies and activities recommended by GPs’ surgeries to boost patients’ boost well-being. ‘Social prescribing’ is a growing movement in the NHS, can include volunteering, gardening, sports activities, cookery and befriending.

“Forest bathing is an opportunity for people to take time out, slow down and connect with nature. We think it could be part of the mix of activities for social prescription,” Stuart Dainton of the Woodland Trust told the Observer. “Evidence about its benefits is building.”

Shinrin-yoku was developed in the 1980s in Japan. Although people had been taking walks in the country’s forests for centuries, new studies showed that such activity could reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and memory. A chemical released by trees and plants, called phytoncides, was found to boost the immune system. As more research highlighted the benefits of shinrin-yoku, the Japanese government incorporated it into the country’s health programme.

Li – now president of the Society for Forest Medicine in Japan, and the author of Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing – is a world expert and has conducted numerous studies. “It’s a preventative medicine, not a treatment,” he told the Observer. People spend their lives increasingly indoors, he said. About 80% of Japan’s population lives in urban areas, and the average American now spends more than 90% of their time indoors. But we are designed to be connected to the natural world, to “listen to the wind and taste the air”.

The Duchess of Cambridge visits her garden at Chelsea Flower Show in London. It was inspired by shinrin-yoku.

His book offers this advice for the practice of shinrin-yoku: “Make sure you have left your phone and camera behind. You are going to be walking aimlessly and slowly. You don’t need any devices. Let your body be your guide. Listen to where it wants to take you. Follow your nose. And take your time. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get anywhere. You are not going anywhere. You are savouring the sounds, smells and sights of nature and letting the forest in.”

Gary Evans, who set up the Forest Bathing Institute in the UK last year, said: “People initially think they’ve been doing this all their lives: going for a walk in the woods. But it might be a brisk walk, or you might be worrying about where the dog has got to. “A better way to frame forest bathing is mindful time spent under the canopy of trees for health and wellbeing purposes.”

The woods at Shimogamo Jinja in Kyoto offer a shining example of the work that Shinto shrines can do with their sacred groves

A typical session might last three hours, and begin with an explanation of the history and science of shinrin-yoku. “Then it’s about sensory exercises,” said Evans. “We try to hold people’s attention in the present moment, to give their bodies and minds a chance to slow down. We move very slowly, touching the trees, looking at colours and patterns, and breathing deeply. We end up lying down under trees and looking up through the branches.”

Shades of green and blue, the colours of the forest and the sky, were the most relaxing, he said. Looking at nature’s patterns helped to stop thoughts spinning in the head.

After a slow start, interest in forest bathing had taken off, Evans said. Officials from national and local government have made inquiries, and Evans addressed 40 doctors at Frimley Park hospital in Surrey last month on the benefits. GPs in the county have expressed interest in social prescribing of forest bathing. The Forest Bathing Institute is training people to become shinrin-yoku guides.

“The rocket ship has left the launch pad,” Evans said. “There is a growing recognition by the medical profession of the value of forest bathing. But we’re 40 years behind Japan. We need doctors and scientists here to start some studies on the physiological and psychological impact.”

One UK study, carried out by King’s College London and published in January 2018, found that exposure to trees, the sky and birdsong in cities improved mental wellbeing. The benefits were still evident several hours after the exposure.

“Even just 20 minutes can help, though 10 hours a month is even better,” said Dainton. “If you live in a city, you may not be able to get to a forest easily, but taking off your shoes in the park and feeling the grass will help you de-stress.”

A study of 585 Japanese people published last year said that city dwellers were “constantly exposed to stressors” and that “urban living is associated with increased risk of health problems”, including anxiety, depression and psychosis.

It concluded: “The psychological benefits of walking through forests are very significant … Urban planners should pay more attention to maintaining and increasing accessible greenery in urban areas. The beneficial effects of nature suggest a simple, accessible and cost-effective method to improve the quality of life and health of urban residents.”

Trees of life

Tag: health

International shrine project

Forest bathing