Nestled in the village of Gogolewie, the old manor house Dwór w Gogolewie nad Wartą played host to a group of people from diverse backgrounds. Throughout the three-day Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy training, they immersed themselves in the forest, the river, open fields, and a park in the area to connect with nature and each other.
What emerged was more than an individual appreciation of nature; it was the exchange of knowledge and the development of a growing network of people exploring how nature-based practices can support healthier communities and a more profound connection with nature.
Who Is Joining Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy Training in Poland
In Poland, FTHub Trainer Joanna Krusiec and FTHub Poland representative and Trainer Marta Grabowska observe a growing interest in professional Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy Training from people from different walks of life, including psychologists, educators, nurses, artists, and more. This reflects a wider recognition of the role that Nature-Based Interventions can play across different sectors.
Marta reflects on the diversity of the people in her group, stating that:
“There are a variety of people who want to work professionally in the field and some people understand the value of the connection of human-nature connection and want to include it into their professional and personal life.”
While the experience in nature is why many join the program, the bonds formed between participants are often what makes the training more impactful. Marta goes on to explain:
“As a trainer I couldn’t imagine something better than people working together, exchanging ideas, creating new things together, and stepping into the shoes of a forest bathing guide. Even if they are initially afraid, they do it anyway and they are a beautiful community.”
This collaborative learning process sits at the heart of the FTHub Method, which combines experiential learning with a scientific foundation. As participants guide one another, share perspectives, and reflect on their experiences, they contribute to a learning ecosystem that extends far beyond the training itself.
What a Short Session in a Small Park Reveals About Nature-Based Interventions
The manor with its surrounding forest, river, open fields and park makes it an ideal location to experiment with guides in different types of environments. Even the little park where a session of no more than 30 minutes to an hour could be held showed that a nature connection can be built anywhere. Even when people fear they do not have time to step out into vast forests, they can still find a way to connect with nature in depth.
Experiencing different environments also highlights one of the core principles explored during the training: that Nature-Based Interventions can be adapted to a wide range of settings. Participants learn to work with diverse landscapes while considering the multiple dimensions that shape nature connection experiences, from sensory engagement and place-based awareness to group dynamics.
Participant Angelika Pasierb reflects further on the dynamic applications of the training, and how groups and landscapes can unfold varied experiences:
“I feel that the in-person training at Forest Therapy Hub is still working within me. I traveled around 1,000 kilometers to take part in it, and I do not regret a single moment. What I appreciated most was the opportunity to experience firsthand how wonderfully diverse forest bathing can be. Depending on the weather, the location, the size of the group, its dynamics, and each participant’s unique approach to guiding, there were so many different ways to immerse ourselves in nature.”
What Participants Take Home: Initiatives, Connections, and Practice
During the immersion, participants guide their own forest-based walks in a team, and at the end of the 3 days, it is striking that they feel a real connection has formed, and many even choose to stay connected afterwards.
Groups of people who met during the training take everything they learn with them, and move on to create initiatives of their own. In this way, the impact of the training extends beyond the event itself. New projects, partnerships, and local initiatives emerge as participants adapt what they have learned to their own lives, contributing to a growing international network working with nature-based approaches.
Angelika concludes that:
“Another great strength of the gathering was the people. From the wonderful, funny, and supportive facilitators to the participants, whose creative passion and openness to being in nature could be felt throughout the experience. It is also heartwarming to see how beautiful initiatives we continue to create together and how we support one another even after the training has ended. I returned home with a deep sense of inner peace, inspiration, motivation, and energy to take action.”
Her reflection captures an important outcome of the training: the creation of lasting relationships, shared initiatives, and practical pathways for bringing the benefits of nature connection into everyday life. As the Hub Seedlings Global Network of trained guides continues to grow, so too does the potential to support people, strengthen the networks around them, and build deeper connections with the natural environments on which we all depend.
FAQ
What is forest bathing training and who is it for?
Forest Bathing training teaches participants how to guide others through structured nature connection experiences. It is designed for a wide range of professionals — psychologists, educators, nurses, social workers, and others — who want to incorporate nature-based approaches into their work or personal practice.
Can forest bathing sessions be run in small urban parks, not just forests?
Yes. As the Poland training showed, a session of 30 minutes to an hour in a small park can build genuine nature connection. The FTHub approach teaches guides to work with whatever natural environment is available, not just large woodland areas.
What do participants do after completing an FTHub forest therapy training?
Many go on to create their own nature-based initiatives, workshops, or group programs in their local area. Completing the training also gives access to the Hub Seedlings Global Network, a professional network of nature-based health practitioners worldwide.
