The rain just won’t let up, will it? I’m Kurosawa from Kokokara Acupuncture Clinic, Honjo.
The cherry blossoms have all scattered in this rain, but this Sunday we have our Mt. Akagi Trekking Therapy event coming up!
Today I’d like to share what makes trekking therapy so beneficial.
The idea behind this event is to use “walking in nature” as a way to reconnect with your own mind and body — a special kind of time.
Have you ever felt any of the following when anxiety strikes?
- A sense of not feeling like yourself
- A feeling of your body becoming distant
- A floaty, ungrounded sensation
These experiences may be related to something called proprioception.
What Is Proprioception?
It might sound complicated, but proprioception is simply your ability to sense your body’s position and movement. You can type on a keyboard without looking at your hands. You can walk without staring at your feet. That’s proprioception.
It even works when you’re holding a coffee cup or your phone — your body knows exactly how much grip to apply without you thinking about it.
Why Does a Body Sense Affect Your Mood?
Here’s where it gets fascinating.
Recent research has shown that in states of intense anxiety or fear, proprioception decreases.
When your sympathetic nervous system kicks into overdrive — the so-called “fight or flight” mode — your body sensations can temporarily shut down. This is what creates that “floating” feeling during panic, or the sensation of “not being yourself.”
But here’s the flip side: by consciously stimulating proprioception, you can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm your mind.
The sensors for proprioception live in the fascia of your joints, muscles, and tendons. So stimulating these areas — by moving your body — sends signals to your brain saying, “Here’s where you are. Here’s how you’re moving.”
How Trekking Therapy Works
Our Trekking Therapy event is designed to reawaken proprioception through nature:
- Walking on slopes and uneven terrain
- Paying attention to the ground beneath your feet, the temperature of the air, the sound of birds
- Becoming aware of your own breathing and the movement of your legs
All of these stimulate proprioception, which in turn activates the parasympathetic nervous system and helps settle your mind.
I know I just threw a lot of technical stuff at you, but really, the bottom line is simple: walking in nature is amazing! (Ha!)
The cherry blossoms may not be in full bloom like on the flyer, but the refreshing benefits of walking remain the same.
We also have participants with various physical concerns, so as acupuncturists, we’re fully prepared to provide support. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out!
Before You Visit…
Fair warning: our English is a work in progress! (Ha!)
But thanks to the magic of translation apps, we communicate just fine with patients from around the world.
Your body speaks a universal language — and that’s the one we’re fluent in.
