Desert Bath: An Immersive Experience

In this two-hour, easy walking workshop, you will learn about the healing powers of Nature through a fully-clothed but deeply immersive Desert Bath. This is a twist on Forest Bathing, a practice that began in Japan in the 1990s and has quickly grown in popularity in the West. Participants will bring body and mind together as they take a slow, mindful walk guided by mythologist Cindi Anderson, PhD, who will suggest new ways of enhancing connections to the surrounding landscape of wind-softened boulders and resilient flora. The practice involves engaging each of your five senses to tune into our intrinsic relationship to Nature and experience the desert in a deeper way. A growing body of research shows that this technique can help boost your mood, reduce stress, and even improve immunity.

Activity level: EASY

There will be slow, gentle walking involved, less than a mile. The terrain may be uneven.

Please contact us if you have questions about your ability to participate desertintitute@joshuatree.org

Program Agenda:

We’ll start with a short talk about the benefits of Desert Bathing, and then take a walk together, with the instructor giving prompts for participants to focus their five senses on the environment. After the group activity, there will be time for solo exploration and practice of the techniques, and we’ll gather for a brief group share to close out the day.

Please note: There is no cell service in the park! Please allow ample time to arrive at the meeting location; park entrances may be very busy on weekends (see FAQs).

Please make sure you check weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Get to know your instructor:

Cindi Anderson has her doctorate in Mythology and Archetypal Psychology, specializing in emerging themes and symbols in our personal and collective stories – think Dan Brown’s character, Robert Langdon, in the Da Vinci Code. After an extensive career in the music and television industries, she became a college professor, teaching Creative Writing, Story Mediums & Genres, and American Cinema to emerging artists and storytellers. Her particular focus is the West’s changing relationship with Nature and where civilization and wilderness intersect. She returned to Joshua Tree to advance her studies, because there is no better place to experience the magic of our landscape, which holds hidden meaning for us all.

What's included?

• First aid and emergency supplies for the group

What's Not included?

• Admission to Joshua Tree National Park
• Meals, Lodging, or Transportation
• Writing essentials

What to Bring:

The essentials for all field courses:

• Water, between 3 and 4 liters per person for a full day outing
• Food and snacks, easily packed and eaten in the field (please leave no trace)
• Close-toed athletic shoes or hiking boots; no sandals, not even hiking sandals!
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen; light-colored long-sleeved shirts are recommended and very effective on hot days
• Warm layers for cooler mornings/evenings (it can be surprisingly cold!)
• Backpack to carry food, water, and any personal items you need for the day

Required for this course:

• Writing journal and pencil

A detailed packing list and additional details about this activity can be found on our website. Upon registration, you will receive a digital park pass and paperwork to complete before the event start date. If you have questions, give us a call at 760-819-4714 or email us at desertinstitute@joshuatree.org

Photo credit: NPS/Lian Law