Forest Bathing Guide training online? How does that work? Very well, as it turns out. FB+ Guide-in-training Philippa Bassett shares her experience.
This time last year, if you had asked me what my plans were for future training courses, I am pretty sure that one of them would not have been to train to become a Forest Bathing+ Guide!
However one year on, and having been working for about a year with The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI), primarily in a PR and Communications role, I have learned so much about the science behind the benefits of spending time relaxing under the canopy of trees, practicing Shinrin-Yoku (the Japanese term) or Forest Bathing+, that I am now on my journey to becoming a fully-fledged TFBI Forest Bathing+ Guide myself!
During my career I have had to write about a lot of technical subjects, the same can be said for writing about the TFBI, in particular the health giving benefits. The scientific evidence has been gathered over the last 40 years, mainly in Japan, where forest bathing is socially prescribed by their NHS system as a preventative healthcare measure for mental health and general well-being.
Forest Bathing is also widely adopted in South Korea, where they too recognise the healing power of trees and even have overnight retreats in certain accredited forests. They also have specific ‘trails of healing’ to help those stressed out executives’ re-charge from their daily life under the health-giving canopy of the woodland and forest environment.
Going back to my roots
At some level, I do feel that I am returning to my roots with Forest Bathing+, because having grown up in a rural part of South Wales, I spent a lot of time in the woods at the back of my grandparents’ house where we would walk under the woodland canopy to the nearby beaches. Climbing trees, playing among them, and spending a lot of time outdoors, formed a large part of my childhood years. This connection has been re-kindled by spending time attending Forest Bathing+ events. The feeling of calmness and relaxation following several hours being mindful in the forest is also a great benefit to one’s general health and well being at a deep level.
Initially I attended the TFBI Mindfulness and Meditation Training just before the start of the Covid 19 lockdown, this was to become the catalyst for deciding to train to become a Forest Bathing+ Guide. Like so many others I found myself furloughed and with more time to focus on the study and training so it seemed a great way to spend my time.
Forest Bathing+ training online
This year, because of the lockdown and self-isolation restrictions, the theory and science behind the Forest Bathing+ training Course was transferred online. The practical aspect of the course will be conducted as and when the restrictions on social distancing are eased. In fact, the online training went so well that TFBI are going to continue offering this as an option, meaning greater access for people from afar.
During the online course, I was really surprised to learn so many interesting facts and the science behind ancient forests, their chemical structure, the wood wide web and many more fascinating nuggets of information.
I am very interested in natural healing and healthcare having worked in this area for over 6 years within a marketing and communications capacity, so learning about the natural healing of the forests and woodland, when combined with the environmental carbon footprint, only continues to reinforce my passion for ensuring the continued success of TFBI and Forest Bathing+ and in attracting more people, of all ages, to experience immersive nature therapy and spend quality, mindful time in our beautiful woodlands and ancient forests that are scattered across the UK.
Join a supportive network of TFBI certified guides
I would thoroughly recommend the Forest Bathing training to anyone who also has a passion for nature, the environment and general health and well-being.
Click here to hear from other guides
Images thanks: Unsplash