FTHub SPECIALIZATION COURSE
Wild Blue — Nature-Based Interventions in Aquatic, Marine, and Coastal Environments
LIVE ONLINE COURSE
- Saturdays | 6–8 pm CET
- 2026 | October 24, 31 + November 7, 14, 21, 28 + December 5, 12
- Live online sessions with a trainer
- 8 sessions | 16 hours
- 3-month access
- 8 modules
- 20 downloadable materials
- 16 hours of video recordings
- Level: Intermediate
- English
580 €
580 €
Trainer
Manuela Renzi
This course explores the physical and emotional impact of water, the connection between humans and freshwater and seawater, hydrotherapy techniques, and creating experiences in Blue Spaces. It culminates in practicing the Wild Blue sequence and guiding sessions in aquatic environments.
Join FTHub’s Manuela Renzi in a free live online insight session about this course on October 13 (6 pm CEST · 5 pm UK · Noon ET · 11 am CT · 9 am PT). REGISTER HERE.
Outcomes
What you'll gain
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- The Wild Blue Sequence
The course’s central framework: a structured sequence of water connection activities applied to aquatic environments. You learn how to design, facilitate, and adapt the Wild Blue Sequence across different settings: coastal, riverine, lakeside, and marine.
- The Wild Blue Sequence
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- The Science of Blue Space and Health
Peer-reviewed research on the physiological and psychological effects of coastal and marine environments: stress reduction, cardiovascular benefits, mental health outcomes, and the unique restorative mechanisms of water. How these findings differ from, and complement, the evidence base for forest environments.
- The Science of Blue Space and Health
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- Water Connection Activities and Techniques
Sensory activities specific to water, wind, salt, sand, and marine ecology. Methodologies to promote well-being in blue spaces. Activities designed for: tidal zones, estuaries, cliff paths, beaches, dunes, lakeshores, rivers, and wetlands.
- Water Connection Activities and Techniques
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- Understanding and Managing Emotions Through Water
Water environments evoke distinct emotional responses: awe, calm, sometimes fear. This module teaches you how to work with these responses safely and therapeutically, build participant confidence with water, and integrate play as a therapeutic modality.
- Understanding and Managing Emotions Through Water
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- Designing Customized Activity Sequences in Aquatic Environments
Session design for blue space interventions. How to adapt session length, structure, and nature-based well-being activities to specific water environments, weather conditions, and participant groups.
- Designing Customized Activity Sequences in Aquatic Environments
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- Safety Protocols for Coastal and Aquatic Environments
Comprehensive safety frameworks: tides, currents, terrain, weather, water proximity, participant mobility considerations, and liability. Risk assessment specific to aquatic settings.
- Safety Protocols for Coastal and Aquatic Environments
Audience
Who is this course for?
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- FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guides or Forest Therapy Practitioners expanding into coastal, riverine, or marine practice
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- Nature-based practitioners working in regions where coastlines, rivers, or lakes are the primary natural environment
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- Ecotourism professionals in coastal and lakeside areas seeking therapeutic facilitation skills
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- Health professionals integrating blue space exposure into well-being and rehabilitation programs
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- Therapeutic swimming instructors, aquatic therapists, and water-focused educators
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- Experienced practitioners from other organizations with training in outdoor or nature-based work
Course Framework
Course structure
MODULE 1 · The Psycho-Emotional Effect of Water
- Biophilia and neuroscience. How to boost mood and mental health through contact with water.
- Practice: Activities.
MODULE 2 · The Relationship with Water
- Explore the interdependent relationship between water and human beings: the symbolism and representation of water in perception.
- Chemical properties of water.
- Practice: Activities.
- Meditation practice.
MODULE 3 · Freshwater: Rivers and Waterfalls
- Fundamentals of hydrotherapy: the body’s thermal balance, techniques, and practices of connection with fresh water, and how to apply them in experiences.
- Practice: Activities.
- Hydrotherapeutic practice.
MODULE 4 · Saltwater: Sea and Beaches
- Fundamentals of thalassotherapy: the properties of seawater and its benefits, techniques and practices of connecting with salt water, and how to apply them in the experiences.
- Practice: Activities.
- Thalassotherapy practice.
MODULE 5 · Dynamic Water
- Breathing techniques and knowledge about the properties of negative ionization of air.
- Practice: Activities.
- Mindfulness practice.
MODULE 6 · Blue Spaces
- Spaces and contexts analysis to carry out experiences in blue environments: pollution and meteorological factors.
- Practice: Environment evaluation.
MODULE 7 · The Wild Blue Sequence
- Learn the sequencing of activities according to the objectives and the space in which the activities take place.
- Practice: Designing a sequence.
MODULE 8 · Finding the Flow
- Selecting a path that suits the participants and the objective of the session.
- Group management.
- Knowledge of the ethics of prevention and well-being that underpin the practice.
PRACTICE
- Guiding a Wild Blue session.
COURSE TOOLS & BONUS
What’s included
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- 1-year free Hub Seedlings Pro membership
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- FTHub Wild Blue Specialization Certificate upon completion
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- Complete online course with live online lessons, practical tools, and readings
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- Wild Blue Sequence: a full facilitation framework with step-by-step activity descriptions
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- Downloadable session material for coastal, riverine, and lakeside settings
ROOTED IN RESEARCH
Connection
Wild Blue is informed by FTHub’s applied research on Blue Spaces, including contributions from the FTHub Summer School Oceans training program in the Azores Islands and ongoing work with coastal and marine environments. The methodology draws on peer-reviewed research on blue space health, and the course is continuously updated as new findings emerge from the FTI Lab and its international partners.
TRAINER
About the trainer
Manuela Renzi
FTHub Training and Capacity Building Director
Manuela brings over a decade of global experience in Naturopathy, Ecopsychology, Mindfulness, and Oriental Medicine to shape international, evidence-based nature health frameworks. She adapts the FTHub Method across diverse global contexts and leads EU-funded projects like NATURELAB. An author, speaker, and facilitator grounded in deep ecological literacy, Manuela advances culturally sensitive, scientifically robust nature interventions worldwide.
Evidence Base
Grounded in peer-reviewed science
Why this matters for your practice
FTHub courses are evidence-informed at every step. The evidence is not decorative; each module connects theory to field practice using the same scientific frameworks underpinning the FTHub Method.
LIVE ONLINE COURSE
- Saturdays | 6–8 pm CET
- 2026 | October 24, 31 + November 7, 14, 21, 28 + December 5, 12
- Live online sessions with a trainer
- 8 sessions | 16 hours
- 3-month access
- 8 modules
- 20 downloadable materials
- 16 hours of video recordings
- Level: Intermediate
- English
580 €
Trainer
Manuela Renzi
TESTIMONIALS
What the professionals say
Real experiences from the field.
Tiago de Oliveira Alves
Founder & Nature-based Wellness Specialist, Portugal
Continue learning
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wild Blue Course?
Wild Blue is FTHub’s specialization course in nature-based interventions for aquatic, marine, and coastal environments. At its core is the Wild Blue Sequence, a structured sequence of water connection activities for blue space settings. The course covers blue space health science, adapted sensory and other nature-based well-being techniques, coastal safety protocols, and session design for non-forest environments.
Do I need to be certified to take Wild Blue?
No. Wild Blue is designed as a specialization for practitioners with existing Forest Therapy or nature-based practice training. It is most valuable for those holding a Forest Bathing Guide or Forest Therapy Practitioner FTHub Certification, though experienced practitioners from other organizations may also benefit. No formal prerequisite or FTHub certification is required.
What is the Wild Blue Sequence?
The Wild Blue Sequence is a structured framework of water connection activities for use in aquatic, marine, and coastal environments. It adapts the principles of Forest Medicine and Hydrotherapy to blue spaces, providing a reliable methodology to design and facilitate sessions beside or in water.
What equipment or qualifications do I need?
No specialized equipment is required to take the course. However, working professionally in aquatic environments typically requires first aid or water safety certifications relevant to your region. The course covers risk assessment and safety considerations but does not replace formal water safety qualifications.
Is there a Forest Therapy course for coastal and marine environments?
Wild Blue is a specialization course in nature-based interventions for aquatic, marine, and coastal environments. The course introduces the Wild Blue Sequence, a structured framework of water connection activities based on scientific evidence and professional experience. It covers blue space health science, sensory activities and other techniques for water environments, safety protocols for coastal and aquatic settings, and session design for non-forest practice.
It includes an eight-module handbook, a two-day applied training, and a free 1-year Hub Seedlings Pro membership.
