KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — As much concrete as there is in the Klang Valley, our cities are also blessed with well-maintained forest reserves and recreational parks. Jogging, cycling, hiking and picnics by the waterfalls are some of the most popular ways to soak in Nature’s rejuvenating energy. If you’re looking to get back to Nature in other ways, here are six suggestions.

Forest meditation

On weekends, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong is a hive of activities from the moment their guarded entrance opens at 7am. Besides the regular fitness enthusiast and weekend warriors, one or two Sundays a month, you may spot a yoga mat-toting group making their way silently and in a single file towards a clearing. Once there, they sit in the shade of towering trees and for the next two hours or so, practise seated meditation — the preceding jaunt is a walking meditation — under the guidance of spiritual healer Stacey Lee from The Golden Space. Stacey will lead the group in activities that will calm and cleanse the mind and soul, unearthing issues that may be lurking deep within your psyche and helping you achieve spiritual balance while cocooned by FRIM’s serene surrounds. Contact RM65 per person; book your spot with The Golden Space Malaysia at +603 6142 7218 www.thegoldenspace.com.my

Mountain biking through hilly terrains at the Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve. — Picture by Vivian Chong

Trail biking

If pedalling on flat roads is too mainstream for you, take your mountain bike onto more natural terrains. The Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve (KDCF), gazetted in 2010 following a campaign by residents in the surrounding housing areas and managed by a committee of them, is a popular place for trail biking. There are seven — and growing — well-marked trails built by residents, volunteers and the Temuan Orang Asli from Sungai Buloh and Bukit Lanjan. They have also produced a useful map that details the difficulty levels of each trail, and indicates which ones are suitable for hiking or biking, or both. There are no official trail biking groups based at this forest reserve but enthusiasts find their way here on their own, particularly on weekends, and pedal their way through the hilly forest. If you’re hiking along the same trails, keep your eyes and ears open and look out for approaching bikers! Contact For more information on KDCF or to get a copy of their trail map, go to http://kotadamansaraforest.org/; the KDCF Society also organises activities at the forest from time to time, follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KDCFSociety) for updates.

Yogaonethatiwant Studios has sessions that feature different colour themes so follow their Facebook page to dress appropriately. — Picture courtesy of Yogaonethatiwant Studios

Yoga in the park

Singer and yogi Atilia Haron’s chain of yoga studios, Yogaonethatiwant Studios, has expanded very quickly and currently has five outlets in the Klang Valley, with a sixth in Kuching, Sarawak. Besides a variety of studio classes, on selected Saturdays, they offer free yoga classes that are held outdoors at the KLCC Park, Taman Tasik Shah Alam and Bandar Utama’s Central Park. Called #freeyogafit, no pre-registration is necessary, just turn up at your selected location by 7.30am with a yoga mat. But do follow them on social media to find out the colour code of the week so that you can dress accordingly. Contact Follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/YogaonethatiwantStudios) or Instagram (@yogaonethatiwantstudios) to find out when the next #freeyogafit sessions will be held.

Monthly trail running clinics are organised by fitness wear label Ash Be Nimble. — Picture courtesy of Ash Be Nimble

Trail running or walking

Homegrown fitness wear label Ash Be Nimble walks the talk, literally, by organising monthly clinics for trail running and trail walking at Lembah Kiara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail. The sessions are divided into two: The first, which usually starts at 7.30am, covers 5 kilometres and is meant for those with a good level of fitness and who may be training for a race. Participants will be running throughout the trail, which includes uphill stretches. At 9am, beginners and those with low to moderate fitness levels can join a 4 kilometres brisk walk session. Limited to 15 places per session, a registration fee of RM10 is chargeable. Contact Follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ashbenimble) for announcements on upcoming clinics.

Walk among giants

The FRIM in Kepong has multiple attractions within its beautiful grounds, and one of the most popular is the Canopy Walk located within the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve. Spanning 150 metres in total and at 30 metres above ground level, walkers can enjoy various vantage points while enjoying a surreal experience of flitting among the thick canopies.

The Canopy Walk is a highlight at FRIM, where you can enjoy lofty views between towering raintrees. — Picture courtesy of FRIM

However, getting to the walkway itself is often a matter of good planning and luck, as only 250 visitors are allowed onto the walkway each day and even then, its operations are highly dependent on the elements — it will close in the event of rain and poor air quality (an API reading of 150 and above). Contact The walkway opens from 9.30am-2.30pm, and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Tickets can be purchased from/reserved through the FRIM One Stop Centre (Tel +603 6279 7592/7649 www.frim.gov.my) at Zone D. Groups of 10 persons and above must make reservations via e-mail (frim_enquiry@frim.gov.my) and hire a Nature guide.

Explore Rimba Ilmu to learn more about Malaysian flora. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

Forest of knowledge

A rainforest within an urban environment — that’s what you can experience at Rimba Ilmu, a botanic garden that’s part of the University Malaya campus in Section 17, Petaling Jaya. Housing some 1,700 species of plants and originally conceived as a teaching facility for biology students, this ‘Forest of Knowledge’ is open to the public on weekdays to walk through and learn about Malaysian flora. Besides the garden, there is a herbarium, a conservatory for rare plants and orchids, and a permanent exhibition titled Rainforests and Our Environment. Contact The Botanical Garden and Rain Forest exhibition are open from 9am-12noon and 2pm-4pm, Monday-Thursday; 9am-12pm and Friday; 2.45pm-4pm, closed on weekends and public holidays http://rimba.um.edu.my/

Vivian Chong shares her travel and lifestyle stories at http://thisbunnyhops.com/