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As a biologist I was looking forward to learn about Forest Bathing. We learned how to breath in and experience the forest atmosphere by meditation. It was a new and really positive experience for me and gave me a feeling of calmness. Furthermore we did yoga and we made a mandala from shapes in the forest. I learned to find rest with nature, sonething I would love to learn it to my students as well. The introduction to Forest Bathing was great and I will buy the book to learn more.

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Today, Rita shared an interesting theory with us about studies related to the healing properties of the rainforest. We practiced various mindfulness exercises, which was a special experience, especially being able to do them in such a beautiful natural setting. I also learned that in Guadeloupe, you can apparently safely take shelter under trees during a thunderstorm and swim in a river in the rainforest. That would be very unwise in the Netherlands.

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In my hometown, there is a nature reserve with a huge stork colony where I usually go for a walk when I feel the need to escape from everyday life. In our forest, there are also benches and little huts where you can stop and sit down to observe animals and plants, which I do when going for a walk. Today in the rain forest, however, I have realised that it makes sense to incorporate such walks, which I normally do as "emergency walks" when I am already totally stressed, into my weekly routine so that it doesn’t get that far in the first place. The intensified version of "going for a walk" - namely forest bathing - would help to reduce my general stress levels and discover my "home forest" from a completely new perspective.

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Today, I learned that it is not quiet in the rainforest at all. Also, I learned that raindrops do not fall as fast when they fall from leaves.

Moreover, I learned that it is quite easy to draw your own mandala.

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Walking in the wood today let me feel like home. The region in Austria where I grew up is called "woodquater"...so there are lots of trees. Today in the rain forest reminded me of spending lots of my time as a child in the forest. Being in the nature calms me down.

But what I learned new (because I couldn't imagine before)... It is very loud in the rain forest - for me a little bit too much. I missed the silence.

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Today we went to the rainforest (and of course lots of rain) to learn about mindfulness. At one point I had to close my eyes and listen to Rita and the sounds of the water and the birds, smell and feel the forest. A very nice experience which made my mind come to rest. We also had "to see" moving things and later on I sat in the river with the others and made a Mandela after looking at the shapes of my surrounding.

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Today I learned we should live more in the moment. Meditating can help with doing that. Also, I learned no to use sunblock right before yoga since it’s way too slippery. I really enjoyed sitting in the river in the forest. I felt absolutely relaxed and in the moment, that was an amazing experience!