Natural Development Workshop & Retreat: Using the power of nature to aid personal development and healing.

An attendee of the July 2010 workshop had this to say:
'I discovered the roots of so many of my problems through challenging and enjoyable exercises. Since the workshop I have become more proactive and attained far more success in my every day life, pursuing goals that I would not have attempted. It has revitalised me and repaired a lot of the damage life has caused me over the years with a non-invasive and caring method.' Charlie Allen

Workshop Details:

This workshop takes place in a beautiful private woodland in North Wales and will consist of a variety of fun, enlightening and sometimes challenging nature-based outdoor activities, sensory and awareness exercises, guided meditation, solo reflection time, and group discussion. These will be used as tools for raising your level of awareness by drawing your attention to your relationship with yourself, others and the natural environment.

The aim for the weekend is to create an enquiring self-reflective atmosphere of relaxed open-minded playful, fun and curiosity.
Just some of the benefits previous participants gained by attending this workshop ...

* Reduced anxiety and stress
* Increased confidence and self-esteem
* Lifted mood and reduced depression
* Gained a new perspective on problems, so that it became easy to find solutions
* Enhanced motivation
* Connected to a sense of wonder
* Built a deeper sense of trust both in themselves and others
* Dealt with anger
* Promoted working as a team, building relationship skills
* Promoted respect for oneself, others and nature
* Improved communication skills
* Improved psychological and spiritual health and well-being
* Learned to be more in the here and now
* Developed greater responsibility for their own actions
* Put their life in perspective
* Developed independence and creativity
* Improved problem solving and life skills
* Learned that you can achieve things you never thought possible

What benefits could you imagine yourself gaining when you attend this workshop?

Workshop Logistics

Arrive: Friday 6 July 2012 at 3pm
Ends: Sunday 8 July 2012 at 3pm
Duration: 3 Day (2 Nights) - Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
Location: Woodland in Denbighshire, North Wales (Exact location will be sent with your booking confirmation)
Accommodation and food: This is a camping based self catering weekend and requires that you bring your own tent (or equivalent), camping equipment, stove and food. A camp fire will be available for cooking. If you intend to use this bring appropriate pots. There is also a basic wooden structure with room for two people to sleep. (A kit list will be sent with your booking confirmation)

Fee: £160 full payment
Early Bird Fee: £120 (book before 21st July 2011)
Deposit: The first £60 of any fee paid is considered a non-returnable deposit

Finders Fee: Receive £20 for every person you recommend who then attends the workshop.
Previous Attendee Rate: If you have attended this workshop before, you may return for a substantially reduced fee.

What is nature-based personal development?

This is a relatively new field, but one which has many ancient roots, and as such, it draws its ideas from both modern and ancients practices. The nature-based healing practices of many native cultures are now being researched and integrated with modern therapeutic and coaching practices under the umbrella term of 'ecotherapy.' It is a selection of these practices that will be used during this workshop.
Western society has become more and more industrialised and urbanised and as a result we spend more than 90% of our lives indoors. As humans we seem to have an innate need to be close to nature and living things. We seem drawn, almost unconsciously, to activities which involve the natural environment. Most people are already aware of the beneficial psychological effects of simply being on a beach, paddling in a stream, or walking in a forest or the mountains. I'm sure it is no accident that we are drawn to areas of natural beauty when taking our holidays. Research suggests human identity, emotional well-being, and personal fulfilment depend on our relationship with nature. The human need for nature is not just linked to use of its resources but it also has an influence on our emotional state, thought processes and even spiritual well-being.

Many researchers now believe that conflicts can arise between our modern society's disconnection from the natural world and our in-built need to relate to it, creating a series of internal mental conflicts, which can give rise to emotional, behavioural and addictive problems.

Research has shown that just spending time outdoors in green space can have significant benefits on your mental well-being. This workshop take this idea much further by actively making use of the connection with the natural environment to aid in your self exploration and psychological and spiritual health and well-being.

This workshop is focused primarily on experiential learning. Why? In our western society our thinking style has become unbalanced and biased towards a more cognitive thinking style, but a more somatic intelligence exists within each of us. Anyone who has ever had a creative moment, or 'gut feeling' or just knew something was right because they felt it 'in their heart' will be aware of it. This conflict between cognitive and somatic thinking creates and maintains many of our day to day problematic thinking patterns. During the workshop you will be expanding your awareness and learning to think with both your heart and your head. You will learn through immersing yourself in the nurturing natural environment and activities, as well as by personal reflection and sharing your insights and experiences during the activities.

All activities are completely 'by choice' so you will not be made to take part in, do, or talk about anything you don't feel comfortable with.

The whole atmosphere of the weekend should remain relaxed playful and fun with occasional challenges.

The workshop aims to help you to...

* challenge your perceived limitations and unhelpful thought patterns, and develop greater awareness of your own strengths, through the use of the natural environment and challenging nature-based activities.
* develop a deeper understanding of how you relate to others, yourself, and your life by reflecting on any symbolic or metaphorical relationships between the nature based activities and your own life
* process your new understandings and learnings by sharing thoughts and reflections in a relaxed, safe, constructive, supportive, non-judgemental and respectful environment
* integrate your new learnings and positive resources so they become available in your everyday life

Think about an issue you'd like to work on during the workshop

Before you arrive at the workshop clearly think about an issue you would like to work on during the weekend. At the workshop you will hold this issue in mind during many of the activities. You will not need to reveal or discuss your issue with the group unless you feel comfortable with doing so.

Space is limited, so reserve your workshop place now. Book online or call 0161 881 4333 to reserve your place.

Would this workshop be suitable for me?
If you ...

* enjoy camping / walking / biking / climbing / other outdoor activities
* are interested in bushcraft, survival skills or wild camping
* have an interest in nature / plants / wildlife
* Love the outdoors
* want to learn to feel more relaxed, balanced and centred
* have perhaps heard of the benefits of ecotherapy & wilderness therapy
* feel your life is stuck or lacks direction
* want to develop a connection with the spirit of nature (in a non religious sense)
* already feel a deep connection with the spirit of nature
* have a nature-based spirituality and/or interest in shamanism
* are someone who wouldn't normally feel comfortable sitting in a counsellors room
* are someone who prefers to learn by doing and being
* want to try something different
* would like to develop your natural intuition / listen to your heart / gut instinct
* perhaps wish to develop more awareness of your thoughts and behaviours
* need to develop trust and belief in yourself or others
* would like to learn to change how you relate to nature, yourself and others

Spaces are limited to ensure each participant gets personal attention. Book online or call 0161 881 4333 to reserve your place now.

How do I book a place?

1. Pay the fee.
2. Download the booking form. (MS Word format document)
3. Complete and return the booking form by email, fax or post.
4. Once your booking has been received and assessed, you will be sent a booking confirmation, and information pack which will include the location, directions, a list of what you need to bring, information about the facilities at the woodland and the terms and conditions.

Alternatively call Nigel on 0161 881 4333 to book your place now.

Just some of the games and exercises...

* Meet a Tree
* Team Challenge
* Drum Stalk
* Fire Stalk
* Sit-Spot
* Find a Tree Like Me
* Trancework
* Walking Meditation
* Solo Reflection Time
* Journalling
* Bow Drill Fire Making
* Peripheral Vision/Tunnel Vision
* Grounding Exercises
* Fox Walk
* Herb Meditation
* Rope Walk
* Ask a Tree
* Group Feedback
* Be a Tree
* Shamanic Journeying
* Tracking Intentions
* Musical Challenge

This workshop integrates various elements of:
Natural-Awareness/Nature-Awareness Games, Ecotherapy, Wilderness Therapy, Bushcraft and Tracking Skills, Shamanism, Self-Relations Psychotherapy, Contemporary Psychotherapy, NLP, CBT, TA, Ericksonian Hypno-Psychotherapy, Counselling Skills and Coaching Skills.

About Nigel Magowan:
Since 2002 Nigel has run his own busy therapy and coaching practices in Manchester and Harley Street in Central London. He is a professional and experienced Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Stress Management Consultant, Life Coach, a Licensed NLP Master Practitioner and an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Nigel is also a fully trained and accredited supervisor and offers supervision to other therapists. He has trained with some of the best trainers, and combines all his skills and experience to produce both highly practical and informative seminars. He has a special interest in helping people with anxiety, depression, stress and confidence related issues.

Nigel holds a recent enhanced CRB certificate.

He is also available for bespoke workshops for your group, organisation or business.

Workshop value for money
To see Nigel privately for one-to-one sessions would normally cost you £70 per hour. This workshop contains over 20 hours of activities. Therefore 20 hours of his time would usually cost you £1400. However by simply attending this weekend workshop you will be receiving over 20 hours worth of his valuable time, knowledge and experience for only £180, a massive saving to you of over £1220.

Restrictions and notices

* This event is for over 18's only. Do not bring children.
* This weekend workshop is camping and self catering based. You will need to bring a tent, camping gear, cooking equipment and your food, drinks and snacks. There will be a camp fire available for cooking, if you intend to use this bring appropriate pots. There is also an open fronted wooden building with space for 2 people to sleep. If you intend to use this do let me know in advance.
* This event is for general personal development purposes only. It is not suitable for those diagnosed moderate to severe mental-illness. Application forms will be checked and if it is deemed that the workshop is unsuitable for you, you will be refunded in full before the start of the workshop.
* The entire weekend will be held entirely in a private wooded area. The terrain is uneven, hilly and has many natural obstacles and hazards which may make it unsuitable for those who have mobility difficulties. If it is deemed that the workshop is unsuitable for you, you will be refunded in full before the start of the workshop.
* Just two of the activities involve the use of a blindfold. If you are happy to skip these then please do attend. During these activities you will have a personal sight-guide close by for your safety. You can also remove the blindfold at anytime and end the activity but will lose out on any benefits you might have gained through participation.
* Confidentiality and ethical behaviour is extremely important. You should not repeat outside of the group anything of a personal nature, regarding anything another participant may have said or done without that participants permission.
* Inner Changes operates a strict no alcohol or drugs policy during events.
* Do not bring dogs or any other pets.

Background Information:

What is ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy is really an umbrella term for a whole variety of nature-based therapies which utilise an experiential connection with nature as a major part of the therapeutic process.

Ecotherapy is a relatively new field of therapy, but one which has many ancient roots, and as such, it draws its ideas from both modern and ancients practices. Unlike us, our ancestors would have seen little or no separation between themselves and the natural world they lived in. Many native cultures today still live in a harmonious relationship with nature, interacting with nature's rhythms, to sustain and heal, physically, mentally and spiritually. In native cultures, the shaman would in effect be the equivalent of our modern doctor, counsellor and psychotherapist.

The nature-based healing practices of many native cultures are now being heavily researched and integrated with modern therapeutic practices under the umbrella term of 'ecotherapy.' It is a selection of these practices that will be used during my workshops and one-to-one nature based therapy sessions.

Why do we need ecotherapy?

Western society has become more and more industrialised and urbanised. People in industrialised nations now spend more than 90% of their lives indoors. Our time spent outside, surrounded by nature, is estimated at only 1% - 5%. As a modern society we have become increasingly disconnected from the natural world.

For millennia we have existed in a very close relationship with the natural world, and have been intrinsically connected to the rhythms of our natural environment, from our water and food, to the changing of the seasons. Human evolution has been so closely intertwined with our environment, that our need for a relationship with nature must reside in our very genes. Our genetic make-up has barely changed over the last 10000 years: an almost insignificant change of 0.005%. Therefore it would seem that despite our modern society and technological advancements, we are still genetically hard-wired to need to co-exist in close relationship with the natural environment.

As humans we seem to have an innate need to be close to nature and living things. We seem drawn, almost unconsciously, to activities which involve the natural environment.

Research suggests human identity, emotional well-being, and personal fulfilment depend on our relationship with nature. Most people are already aware of the beneficial psychological effects of simply being on a beach, paddling in a stream, or walking in a forest or the mountains. I'm sure it is no accident that we are drawn to areas of natural beauty when taking our holidays. The human need for nature is not just linked to use of its resources but it also has an influence on our emotional state, thought processes and even spiritual well-being.

Many researchers now believe that conflicts can arise between our modern society's disconnection from the natural world and our in-built need to relate to it, creating a series of internal mental conflicts, which can give rise to emotional, behavioural and addictive problems.

Given our seemingly in-built requirement for interaction with the natural world for our physical and mental well-being, it would appear that there is a strong need for us to finds ways of re-integrating nature back into our lives, so that we can redress the balance.

A Solution

Mankind's use of nature to enhance well-being, physically, mentally and spiritually, has been around probably as long as humans have existed. It is only in more recent times, largely due to industrialisation and urbanisation, that man has become more and more disconnected and isolated from the natural world. In our modern society, that in-built need for relationship with nature has become disrupted, leaving us unbalanced and open to a variety of mental and emotional problems.

Research has shown that just spending time outdoors in green space can have significant benefits on your mental well-being. This can be as simple as spending some time gardening, or sitting in your local park, or going for a walk in the countryside. Ecotherapies such as Wilderness Therapy, Pet-Assisted Therapy, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Nature Awareness, Green Therapy, Horticultural Therapy and Walking Therapy, all take this concept much further by actively utilising a connection with nature as part of the therapeutic process to enhance your psychological and spiritual health and well-being.

Inner Changes - Manchester Psychotherapy
For further information on Wilderness Therapy and Ecotherapy