Nature Connection for Wellbeing

An accredited course for professionals: Learn tools and skills to support others in connecting with nature.

“A fabulous experience“

This course could be for you, if you want to ...

✓ introduce Nature Connection into your work with confidence, or develop your existing skills.

✓ validate your skills through CPD accreditation, without full training as a Forest Bathing Guide.

✓ develop your own unique style, suited to your personality, occupation, audience and situation.

✓ learn practical ways to support the mental health and social-emotional abilities of your audience.

✓ contribute to a more compassionate world, and feel part of shaping a sustainable future.

✓ do all that in playful, pleasurable ways which also benefit your own health and wellbeing.

"This CPD course gives you the tools and confidence to share your knowledge and experiences with students and colleagues, and to facilitate conversations around nature, conservation, mindfulness and wellbeing."

We learn best by doing

Nature Connection is a relationship which can only be learned through experience. So this course is activity-based, offering Experiential Learning. You will:

  • practise the weekly Forest Bathing activity locally

  • be supported and support others in our online community

  • reflect on your experiences in your journal and final Written Assignment

  • apply your unique experiential and reflective learning to your work setting

  • cycle round again

“Enhance how you help your learners”

“In her online sessions, Jan offers interesting and powerful Invitations to immerse in nature wherever we are based. Since finding Jan and her knowledge of Forest Bathing and the natural world, I have been able to share the experiences and the benefits of Nature Connection with my colleagues during CPD days, with primary school teachers to consider calming more excitable learners, as well as with teenagers, as support in the ever-changing and pressurising world they exist in.  

I highly recommend education specialists undertake this course to enhance how you help your learners, and not least to support your own wellbeing. See you in the woods!” 

Jane - Learning Enhancement Lead (Shrewsbury Colleges Group, UK)

Past CPD students have found…

  • "engaged teacher"

    “I appreciated Jan's complete engagement with the participants and the material. I learn best when I'm in a supported environment with a passionate teacher”

  • "regained creativity"

    “A stressful schedule snuffed out my creativity for a long while. Feeling the creative state return to me has been such a profound take-away from this course.”

  • "never felt rushed"

    “The structure meant that you were always moving forwards but at the same time, to a certain extent it could be self-paced so it never felt rushed or stressy.”

  • "me as part of nature"

    “I’ve significantly developed my awareness of nature and the environment through this course. Most importantly I think, I have an awareness of myself as part of nature”.

  • "fun"

    “I've enjoyed connecting with my creative side and getting into a 'flow' state. I've had great fun doing this myself, and with friends and groups.”

  • "less self-critical"

    “I’ve learnt to look at myself with a less critical eye - instead being OK with the way I am, not forcing anything to avoid appearing on the outside the way I am not.”

  • "perfect pacing"

    “I thought the pacing of the course was perfect, and the amount of time given for the Written Assignment was really good as well.”

  • "embodiment"

    “Embodiment - I’m much more inclined to 'just be' and connect with my body in nature. For example, feeling the sensations of my feet touching the ground in walking.”

  • "motivating community"

    “I really appreciated the community group and sharing observations together. It’s very motivating to practise an Invitation, and being able to share about it afterwards.”

  • "start of a journey"

    “Its been the start of a journey. I know that I have so much more to gain from the skills I have started to learn. I’ll continue to practice, increasing the benefits.”

  • "accessible structure"

    “The structure and pacing was very accessible. Having both the online community and the freedom to practice solo was perfect for me.”

  • "being part of nature"

    “The course has enabled me to understand more about myself and how I tick as an individual, being part of the wider environment and nature.”

  • "fantastic course"

    “I honestly think this course is fantastic the way it is, and could not think of any way it could be better, given the time constraints and price.”

  • "immersing myself"

    “Becoming aware of where I was within Nature, the small things and the mighty. Immersing myself in the moment without questioning myself was so valuable.”

  • "inspiring Zoom meetings"

    “Our Zoom meetings were packed full of interesting things to do and discuss, and I was glad I was able to attend, as I found them very inspiring.”

  • "creativity through nature"

    “I’ve loved exploring my creativity through nature. I try and get ‘into the zone’, to let it drive my creativity. Hard to explain but it makes the whole thing more enjoyable.”

  • "interesting presentations"

    “I found the videos really engaging and Jan's presentations interesting and very warm, which I don't always get from asynchronous content.”

  • "positive feedback"

    “I loved the way that all responses to the material from participants were valued - not only did this support me, but it gave me insight into giving positive feedback.”

  • "opportunity to adapt"

    “Some Invitations challenged my sensory needs, which provided an opportunity to adapt and learn. Each Invitation had suggested variations so that made it easy.”

  • "longer concentration"

    “I’m quicker to get in the Forest Bathing mind-set, and once there, I can remain absorbed with a longer concentration span to notice more and more.”

  • "infectious passion"

    “The passion Jan has for Nature comes through in every single aspect of the course. It's very infectious, even for someone like me who already loves Nature!”

  • "clearly explained"

    “The Invitations were clearly explained and the supplemental information, like the science, and words/concepts from other cultures was really enjoyable.”

  • "part of a community"

    “I loved being able to share about it afterwards and feel part of a community, all connecting with nature and the Invitations together.”

  • "absorbed"

    “As the course progressed I began to have more moments where I switched off from my busy day, when I felt I was happy to do so…when I wanted to be absorbed.”

  • "prompt feedback"

    “Jan's prompt feedback on all our responses, the assignment, emails etc. is in stark contrast to many other courses where it's impossible to get hold of tutors.”

  • "life-long learning skills"

    “Some aspects of Forest Bathing are life-long learning skills - it was clear that we’re not expected to perfect them in such a short time, but to have the tools to develop.”

  • "in my day-to-day life"

    “It took the pressure off, knowing it was OK to just include it in my day-to-day life, eg sitting in my garden, rather than feel l have to go out somewhere to "do" Forest Bathing.”

  • "opportunity"

    “I’ve developed many of my skills over the last 60 years - what the course has done is offered me the opportunity to practise and develop them in relationship with nature.”

  • "journal helpful"

    “Keeping a journal of the Forest Bathing experiences has helped me to explore my thoughts, generate more understanding, which has also helped me accept things.”

Learning

Outcomes

  • By the end of the course, all students will have:

    • deepened their own personal connection with the natural world.

    • appreciated the diversity of responses to connecting with nature.

    • learned a range of Forest Bathing tools and skills to facilitate others.

    • developed insight in adapting to challenging situations in their work.

    • developed their growing ability to support others appropriately.

    • reflected on adapting the course learning to their own life/work

    • developed an understanding of the core principles of Nature Connection.

    • developed creativity in fostering that process in self and/or others.

    • cultivated presence, embodiment, stillness, awareness, acceptance, concentration, and creativity.

  • Self-direction - able to take control of own learning

    Curiosity - able to be open to new perspectives and ways of being

    Concentration - able to focus with clarity for increasing periods

    Self-awareness - able to reflect on own strengths, challenges and aims

    Embodiment - able to be aware of sensations, feelings and thoughts concurrently

    Mindfulness - able to act with spaciousness, steadiness and lack of time urgency

    Self-compassion - able to accept own short-comings without harsh self-criticism

    Stress-resilience - able to detect inner calm, and to cultivate it

    Presence - able to increase the ability to be in a state of awareness and openness

  • Acceptance - able to practice non-judgment in self and others

    Authenticity - able to relate in a genuine, honest and confident way

    Discretion - able to show genuine interest in others while respecting boundaries

    Empathy - able to be aware of, and open to, the true experience of others

    Connection - able to relate in an approachable and appreciative manner

  • Critical reflection - able to analyse novel and complex situations

    Critical evaluation - able to assess own process and progress

    Flexibility - able to adapt course content to own unique circumstances

    Professional - able to reflect on the relevance of course-learning to own work/life

    Process learning - able to navigate: experience > reflection > the wider context

What’s the time commitment?

30 hours total over 3 months:

Weeks 1-8:

  • 3 hours a week (average)

  • Engage with focus in weekly activity

  • Engage supportively in our community

  • Keep a reflective journal

Weeks 9-12

  • Assignment (2500-6200 words)

  • 5 hours in total ( past students average)

“Gives the tools and confidence”

“I have found incorporating Jan's Forest Bathing Invitations into my classroom practice to be very well received by the students. In a busy secondary school, it’s easy to lose sight of how important nature connection is in supporting the mental and physical health of our young people, as well as fostering an awe and appreciation of the living world right on their doorstep. 

This CPD course gives you the tools and confidence to share your knowledge and experiences with students and colleagues, to facilitate conversations around nature, conservation, mindfulness and wellbeing. Importantly, it also gives students permission to take the time to consider themselves as an intrinsic part of nature which supports their individual development as facilitators of positive change.”

Rebecca, SEN teacher (Oxfordshire secondary school, UK)

Questions

people ask

  • NB: This course does not certify you as a Forest Bathing guide. It assumes you are already working with your audience, within clearly defined boundaries and are covered by your existing insurance.

  • The minimum total time commitment is 30 hours.

    Weeks 1 to 8: Three hours a week will give you ample time to practise the Invitations, reflect in your journal, and engage in our community.

    Weeks 9 to 12: Past students found the Written Assignment took an average total of 5 hours.

  • Strangely, none! This is experiential learning, where you gain insights by practising the activities, and then reflecting and applying the principles to your own work.

    This requires your engagement during the course, and your reflective focus during your Written Assignments. There is no requirement to commit content to memory.

  • CPD may be known as CE, CPE, CEU, CME in your country.

    We have chosen the CPD Certification Service, as the world's leading and largest independent CPD accreditation organisation working across all industry sectors. Please check their website (or with your professional body) to make sure it’s valid for you.

  • At present the course is only offered in English, in video and written format. You’ll also need to read and write in our online community, and in your Written Assignments.

    To benefit from the course, you need a basic understanding of English, or use an online translation tool. Correct English is not important, as long as we can understand your meaning. If you are unsure, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.

  • We want this to be a positive learning experience for everyone, and we've taken care to consider a broad range of abilities. Each one of us is unique, and we’d like to work together to offer you the best experience possible.

    If you have particular access needs, which may affect your ability to participate fully, please contact us, and we’ll be glad to help.

“Jan, I just wanted to say Thank You for such a great experience.
Over the last few decades I have taken many courses, both professional and personal, but yours has to be one of the best, if not the best. You have got the mixture of fact, relaxation, wonder and joy just right, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I shall miss it, but will continue to Forest Bathe and use the many Invitations often, introducing others to the practice and recommending your course.”

Claire Poole - Fife, Scotland.

Hi, I’m Jan, your course guide.

I was guiding Forest Bathing walks in the woods when Covid struck. So I combined my experience in healthcare, with my love and care for people, nature, and our beautiful planet, by creating an experiential online course.

I was amazed to find that learning together online had some real advantages, and I was moved by the feedback, telling me that simply slowing down and connecting with nature can have truly transformative results.

My vision is that all people will have the opportunity to develop a direct personal relationship with their local nature. And so I now focus on this train-the-trainer course, supporting people like you to take this magical practice into their work, and adapt it to their unique style, setting, ways of working, and audience.

I live in the UK, and when I'm not working as a therapist, tutor, or course creator, I'm often to be found in my vegetable garden, walking, cooking world food, or making willow baskets. J


"Jan's passion for forest bathing and sharing this with participants is so obvious, yet is delivered in such a way that you always feel you have something to contribute." 

Come and join us!

The course offers sensory activities to explore the nature in your local area. You’ll learn through experiences, reflection, and in community with your fellow coursemates.