Forest Bathing

This Saturday, Kristen Mastel will be leading the final Forest Bathing session of the 2026 season at Caponi Art Park. Mastel brings her expertise in health, wellness and nature to Caponi Art Park for a unique experience you won’t want to miss.

Forest Bathing, while not in a bathtub, is “an opportunity to slow down, which we often don’t have in our busy lives”. A Forest Bathing session with Mastel usually begins with introductions with the group and some simple, mindfulness prompts to ground participants. Throughout the two-hour session, participants will take time individually to reflect on the sounds, sights and smells of the forest. Kristen Mastel expertly guides the group through mindfulness exercises, creates nature artwork with the group, and ends the session with tea and small snacks. It’s a perfect chance for beginners to dip their toes into the world of wellness and mindfulness, surrounded by beautiful native plants and sculpture art scattered throughout the park.

Everyone will have their own takeaways from Forest Bathing, whether it is new mindfulness techniques, a renewed sense of peace, or a fresh mindset to take into a new week. Kristen Mastel tells Caponi Art Park,, “I got into this to help with burnout and stress reduction through slowing down, a little bit of grounding, and a little bit of nature’s benefits in the forest. I just like how it’s very approachable. It’s scaleable, adaptable, so depending on people’s abilities, needs, time, locations- you can take the practices they learn and bring it home. In your backyard, your own park, go to the boundary waters or a state park. I hope folks learn to experience nature in a slightly new and different way.”

There is also something to be said about the community you’ll find at a Forest Bathing Session. “I get more out of it than they do,” says Mastel. “Just being in a community of people, teaching and hearing their reflections, and how different people take different things away. It’s lovely, beneficial. It brings me joy!” There is nothing like the encouragement of a group of people from all walks of life, all with one goal in mind: Take a step back from the business of life and simply exist, surrounded by art and nature.

We’re so grateful to host Kristen Mastel and her spectacular Forest Bathing at Caponi Art Park this summer, and we can’t wait for the upcoming session. Registration ahead is required and fills quickly. We look forward to seeing you there and relaxing together surrounded by nature.