Patrycja Stukator lives in Katowice, Poland. Always had an exceptionally close relationship with the forest, her “wild home”, that led her to personal and career choices until becoming a Forest Bathing Guide with FTHub. She spent weeks in the Lacandona jungle in Mexico, and that undoubtedly shone more light on her path. She offers group and individual sessions, workshops and retreats that weave nature, creativity, and curiosity into stress reduction, women’s circles, tea ceremonies, and other tailored experiences, all designed to enhance well-being through nature.
Wild Home
“Quite early in childhood, I felt a strong connection with nature. I admired its beauty and majesty but learned to respect the power of the elements that build and destroy. Since 2000, I have been helping my family care for a home next to the forest in the Beskidy mountains, with no access road, TV, or internet. We have learned and continue to learn a lot from taking care of this place, which I call my ‘Wild Home’. My grandparents and parents made me very aware of the benefits and health that the forest can bring to people.
“In November 2022, I traveled to the jungle in Mexico, where I spent several days living in Lacandona, which I explored with a guide who was a descendant of jungle-loving Mayans. The Selva ( jungle) gave me many insights, strength, and a strong desire to take other people into Nature to help them find meaning, learn to cope with stress and develop their potential through the beneficial influence of the forest. After coming back from the jungle to Poland, I just knew that I will create a project called ‘Czuję Las’ (‘I feel the forest’)”.
Towards nature
“My master’s thesis, ‘Nature, Nudity and Mysticism: David H. Lawrence’s Poetic Visions,’ focused on eco-metaphors in the works of the traveler, writer, and poet D.H. Lawrence, who was deeply sensitive to the beauty of nature.
“Also, I worked for a foundation supporting foster care and co-created the e-learning platform skillplanet.io aimed at children and caregivers in foster care. For three years, I developed training scenarios on mindfulness, self-acceptance, increasing self-esteem, and psychophysical well-being, so I am familiar with both theoretical and practical foundations.
“This experience made me aware of how many children and adults struggle with mental health issues. I knew that forest therapy can support any therapy (can help treat depression or anxiety disorders).
“During the pandemic and the time I was working as a Content Team Leader in skillplanet.io, I began practicing shinrin yoku independently, trying out forest bathing on myself. I did daily slow walks in the forest. I have been a certified Forest Bathing Guide since 2023 – I hold an international certificate from the Forest Therapy Hub”.
The cards of the forest
“Currently, my biggest passion is guiding people on immersive forest retreats where we embrace the tranquility and healing powers of nature through shinrin yoku (forest bathing). I primarily work in Silesia and explore both Polish and international forests, but I also have a passion for bringing the essence of the forest into indoor spaces and group settings during Workshops and Forest Bathing walks.
“In June 2024 my colleague Dominika Królikowska from ‘Dzikie wędrowanie’ and I co-published ‘Podróż do wnętrza lasu’ (in Polish) – the title in English is ‘Journey inside a Forest’. These forest cards, with their beautiful illustrations, poetic stories, and mindfulness exercises, help both children and adults strengthen their connection with the forest.
“This is the first educational tool on our market that offers three unique ways to engage users: inspiring forest-themed illustrations, imaginative and educational stories and sensory exercises, designed to deepen the bond with nature, engage the senses, and support mindfulness practices”.
Nature Within
“During every forest bathing experience, something nourishing, touching, wise, or genuine happens. Unforgettable are the reactions of people, their self-reflection, and simultaneously, their recognition of nature within themselves.
“One particular forest bathing session I led in June, at a consciousness music festival in Poland, was grounding and slow, conducted in the shade of old willows and oaks. The entire group opened all their senses and worked with their ‘wild essence’, deeply connected to Mother Earth (I was then deeply inspired by Joanna Macy and her teachings). In the closing circle it was beautiful to see how each person recognized the value of connecting beyond divisions and ego. I also know that two participants, who didn’t know each other, have since kept in touch and become friends.
“I believe that living in harmony with nature is the most proper path for us – I deeply believe that the more people understand they are part of the natural ecosystem, the easier it will be for us to take care of the Earth, our Mother”.
Patrycja tips
- Visit forests as often as possible and let everything go in order to FEEL, connect with the natural cycle of life,
- Taste forest air, smell wet moss, touch blades of grass gently, look up in the tree canopy, listen to the wind playing with leaves
- Feel grateful for being a part of something special – Nature!
Ph: Courtesy Patrycja Stukator
Act now, enrolling in our Forest Bathing Guide Training and Forest Therapy Practitioner Training. Grow together, equipping you with essential skills to lead transformative experiences in nature.
