Nature Connection Series
Experience nature’s calming and restorative power with our brand-new Forest Bathing+ Nature Connection Series at RSPB The Lodge.
These sessions are designed for anyone wanting to create a deeper relationship with the natural world, develop positive habits that boost body and mind, and connect with a supportive, like-minded community – we’d love to have you join us!
Booking Details: RSPB The Lodge Bedfordshire 2024:
Please visit our Eventbrite page to book your place and for full booking details.
Research links forest bathing with numerous mental and physical benefits such as reducing stress, improving sleep, boosting mood and memory, and enhancing immune response. During each session of the Nature Connection Series we hope you’ll begin to experience some of these positive changes, while we take a deeper dive into each of our senses and how they create pathways to connect with nature.
Evidence shows that the benefits of forest bathing grow with regular practice, so while all events in the series are bookable individually, we encourage you to take the opportunity to attend as many sessions as possible. This will allow you the time and space to truly root yourself in nature, grow skills that will help you care for yourself and our world, and plant the seeds for a lifetime of wellbeing. To help you in this goal, we are offering a discount of six-sessions for the price of five, for anyone booking all six sessions in the Series.
NB – if you have not previously attended a Forest Bathing+ session with The Forest Bathing Institute, we recommend that wherever possible you attend the first session in the series (An Introduction to Forest Bathing+) before attending other sessions. This will help ensure you are familiar with the basics and get the most out of your experience.
WHAT WILL YOU GET FROM THE SERIES?
Each session you attend will be an opportunity to unwind and relax. As we slow down our nervous system is soothed and calmed, allowing body and mind to rest and recover.
During your sessions with us your Forest Bathing Guide will take you through a sensory journey, helping you leave behind your busy mind and truly experience each moment. Every time you attend, you’ll gain more tips and tools that allow you to build mindfulness and access a calmer state of being by tuning into nature.
Over time, as you build these new skills with regular practice, they will help you to manage the daily stresses and challenges of life long after our time together – in turn supporting your mental and physical health.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE SESSIONS?
All sessions will involve a gentle walk under the canopy of trees, amongst beautiful woodland. You’ll be guided through a series of sensory exercises designed to develop a deeper connection with nature, calming body and mind, before we conclude with a guided relaxation.
THE SERIES:
NB – while we will do our best to stick to the schedule below, conditions on the day mean we need to switch some topics around.
The series runs over six, two-hour sessions. While all sessions in the series are bookable individually, we encourage you to take the opportunity to attend as many sessions as possible:
Session 1: An introduction to Forest Bathing+
Covering the basics of Forest Bathing+ and the potential benefits. An introduction to sensory exercises.
Session 2: Slowing down/breath and vision
The foundations of a Forest Bathing+ practice – conscious breathing and slowing down.
Session 3: Going deeper/hearing and smell
Developing a more focused practice.
Session 4: Deepening nature connection/touch and empathy
Deepening your practice and creating a stronger experience and sense of connection with nature and the environment.
Session 5: Growing your practice
Encouraging and supporting self-practice, helping you turn your forest bathing journey into a lifelong resource.
Session 6: Celebrating your nature connection journey
Bringing everything together!
WHAT’S THE EVIDENCE BEHIND OUR SERIES?
There is a large body of evidence showing the benefits of forest bathing – over 200 research papers and continually growing – and your Forest Bathing Guide will tell you more about some of these studies, including TFBI research, during your sessions.
Our six-session series has already proven to be both popular and a source of real positive change. Analysis undertaken by the University of Derby of past participants showed improvements in areas including health (mental and physical), anxiety, and nature connection.
“There are statistically significant improvements in health, anxiety, nature connection and social connection after forest bathing. These improvements gradually increased over the 3-6 weeks that people attended forest bathing sessions”.
“The greatest improvements were as follows: in week 2 nature connection increased by 89%, anxiety reduced by 69% and a health measure which assesses mobility, self-care, anxiety, depression and pain reduced by 35%. “
- Associate Professor Dr Kirstin McEwan, University of Derby
Participant Feedback:
“It’s been really good to get out as I don’t normally do so. It stopped me thinking about the things I normally worry about.”
“Really enjoyed it very relaxing”.
“It has been really restful because I’ve been quite depressed recently”.
“Found it very therapeutic, something different, loved the peace and quiet”.
RSPB The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire
Wednesday 8th May – 6.30pm-8.30pm
Wednesday 22nd May – 6.30pm-8.30pm
Thursday 6th June – 6.30pm-8.30pm
Thursday 4th July – 6.30pm-8.30pm
Thursday 20th June – 6.30pm-8.30pm
Thursday 18th July – 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost
Individual session: £32.80 including Eventbrite fees and VAT
Book all six sessions in the series : £161.14 including Eventbrite fees and VAT
Booking Details:
Please visit our Eventbrite page to book your place and for full booking details.
Refunds: We are happy to refund your booking up to 1 week before the event. We will not refund or move any bookings with less than 1 week’s notice.
Adults 18+
Sorry no dogs! The series allows you to focus on your own journey and self-development.