Meet Marta Grabowska, a breathworker and holistic guide, who finds solace and purpose in connecting people with the power of breath and nature. She holds a degree in Social Sciences at Warsaw University and a postgraduate in Coaching and Mentoring. She is a certified Breathworker, Holistic Trainer and FTHub Forest Bathing Guide and trainer.
Passionate of her profession, she inspires lives and paths for many people in Poland and abroad. Her career led her from corporations and international teams to the transformative world of Breathwork, both indoors and outdoors, and Forest Therapy. Her peace-transmitting voice says a lot about her journey, and the depth of her approach to Forest Bathing speaks volumes about her value as a trainer and mentor in FTHub.
“My relationship with nature is both pragmatic and spiritual. Nature is everything. It’s a space to think and breathe. Trees give me a feeling of unconditional acceptance and love, a sense of belonging and being a part of something greater than me.
“In the forest I can be myself, as it does not judge. I do not have to prove anything and at the same time the forest is sensitive to lies and pretense. It feels as though it says: ‘be yourself, leave illusions aside before you come to me. This is the only ‘condition’ of my love’ – and I definitely can agree to that.
“It was because of health reasons -in the city where we lived I was constantly sick, driving mad all neighbors crying and coughing- that my mum took me to her family in the mountains. The life conditions there were pretty rough, no running water nor electricity, so not easy to manage with a small child. But I loved that. Mostly – the freedom to explore.
“I remember the touch of grass, the tingling on the skin when jumping into the cold mountain river. The density of forests where we were picking up blueberries. The never ending roads we would wander around. And the smell of warm soil. One of the sweetest memories is the haymaking and jumping on the bundles of hay. And that unique smell of burdock leaves along the river…”
Traveling the world of breath
“I studied language and social sciences. Started my professional career in a public relations agency, grew into head of marketing for Europe. I had worked in business organizations for twenty years, meeting people from around the world. I value that time greatly, not only for work experience but for the cultural connections.
“A friend of mine introduced me to breathing practices, saying it would help with stress and long hours. And it did. But it also made me question my life choices. Still, I got back to my “super cool” work and forgot about those questions. The questions I tried to ignore came back, louder than ever, forcing me to rethink everything.
“I picked up coaching studies, despite my ex-bosses saying I’d never succeed working with people. It felt right, but still something was missing.
“I moved for work to Switzerland, working Monday-Friday and during weekends studying and facilitating breathwork. Until one day, I felt that was it. I still remember that beautiful hill in Zurich where I used to sit and breathe in a forest. And that whole-body-yes feeling I had. That all is in the right place, nothing is missing. Was I scared? Surely, like never before. I believe that is a quote from Alexander Lowen – the difference between fear and excitement is breath.
“Since then breathwork is my whole world and most of my professional interests are around it. I keep on studying and learning more about the power of breath and different modalities which support that work. The main ones I’m super into now are Somatic Experiencing, shadow-work and voice dialogue. And of course, my deepest dream is to immerse all of that into the forest”.
Forest Bathing training
“Nature was my hide-away place, when it was too much to handle in the human world. When a friend -now an FTHub Forest Bathing Guide aswell – spoke about the training, I felt this sweet warm sensation in my heart and a whole body curiosity. I didn’t think much and enrolled.
“Forest Bathing influenced my professional life. Once I felt I can feel even more when breathing in Nature than I feel during an indoor session, I felt I wanted to combine walks in Nature and Breathwork. I started to include the walks to the breathwork retreats I organize – to connect senses, body, Soul and the Higher Power.
“So imagine a day, which you start with gentle meditation, yummy and nutritious breakfast, then we go to the forest to dive into the beauty and gentleness of that green body – and after all those sensual experiences you start breathing and integrating all in your physical body.
“For me that is a profound experience which changes not only how we perceive and connect with Nature around us, but how we respect, acknowledge and love the Inner Nature that lives in our Bodies”.
The changes witnessed
“Currently, I’m developing workshops and retreats that combine Breathwork, shadow work and nature connection. I’m fascinated by Somatic Experiencing, enjoying the connection to the language of the body it brings to the table. All dots start connecting now.
“I believe it’s a privilege to witness changes in people. One profound experience was guiding a young woman entering the forest for the first time in her life. Having grown up fearing the forest, she discovered it as a safe and beautiful universe – and felt at home.
“I have witnessed busy business people joining a short online walk – stopping in their fast paced life and enjoying connection with a tree or a lake, saying ‘I never paid attention to trees, and they are such good listeners!’.
“I have witnessed a deeply wounded woman sharing her pain with a tree, hugging and crying – feeling safe to express her pain and being received by the being of nature. I have seen people changing their attitude to cutting their lawn, as during the walk they noticed the life happening in the grass – and felt that by cutting it they take away something from nature and themselves. Every walk brings a surprise, a change, an amazing experience and great teaching”.
Ph: Courtesy Marta Grabowska
