The timing of my training couldn’t have come at a better time for me.  It was just prior to the Covid lock-down in February 2020.

I intrepidly began my training with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in the beautiful Govinda Valley Retreat in Otford NSW.   

I arrived with a backpack, a tent and my guitar over my shoulder.  A lovely camp spot was chosen and then I went up to register. 

This was to be an 8 day intensive training program then followed by another six months of on-line and self-directed training.  It certainly was intensive and a lot was packed in with daily guided walks and then de-briefing the walks.  There were 13 of us in the group and we were very well supported by our mentors. 

The food at the retreat was amazing; I have never eaten so much! 

Our group bonded so beautifully and we were all encouraging of each other.  This still continues today. 

My first walk was a little bit disappointing, although there were some small gems that I felt and saw, it did actually take a couple of walks for me to realise the depth the beauty of what was being offered and I am used to spending time in nature.

By the third walk I had the most amazing experience with a tree; I was so overwhelmed by the connection and emotions that arose in me that I couldn’t talk.  It was an extremely powerful experience. 

I knew then that Nature and Forest Therapy was something more than just sitting or strolling in nature.  There is a real sense of connection and healing that happened for me and continues to happen to this day.

After the 8 days of our intensive our world was blown apart by the news that while we were all connecting with our senses in this beautiful part of the world, the rest of the world had in my terms “gone mad”!  We had been cocooned in tranquility and were then exposed to the news that we had all better get home as our borders were going to be locked down and all planes were to be grounded.  This was a real shock and quite a rude awakening to us all.  It felt like a jolt and the uncertainty we all felt was quite scary.

We were very lucky as we were the last Cohort to be trained this way…Cohort 52!  Now everything has gone onto on-line training. 

That was the beginning of my training, for the next six months it was up to me to do the work myself, strengthening my connection to all that exists in nature around me.  Mixed with lots of zoom meetings and calls with mentors and the group.

Using my ‘Sit Spot’, as often as I could and journaling my insights, drawing what I saw and noticed and strengthening my connections. 

Writing invitations as they presented to me while in nature, in a way that could be offered to participants in an open sensory way.   This may sound easy to do, but in its simplicity the wording can be difficult. 

Probably my biggest lesson is to let go of the outcome for each participant. 

It is not for the guide to have a perceived outcome, although we all want each participant to come away feeling good, this is not always the case.  Sometimes things arise that a participant may need to deal with, something that we need to learn and as a guide is  to be okay with that.

Trusting that Nature has my back is something that I have also learnt.  I have to be open to listen to what is being offered and to be also open to change at any moment.  This is all a part of the training and just learning to trust. 

 As far as training to be a qualified guide, this is over and I am now certified.  But I believe that the training never ends, we never stop learning, if we think we know it all then I think we have a lot to learn…!