Why do I coach clients in nature? (Karen Liebenguth)
Karen Liebenguth
28th May 2020
Coaching a client in Victoria Park, East London
My colleague Paul Heardman, recently asked: Why do you coach clients in nature?
I loved his question. I felt he was genuinely interested in my work. Once I started talking he became more curious and we had the most stimulating conversation. It prompted me to share with you my journey with nature.
My love of nature began from a young age. It was in nature that I found solace and comfort. Today I also find strength and clarity. It’s where I feel at my best. It’s where I feel happiest.
Once I recognised the deeply beneficial effect nature had on my wellbeing, I wanted to offer this to the clients I coached. I wanted them to experience how nature helps us to reconnect with ourselves; it can bring us back to our senses and help us feel grounded and clearer about what matters most when life becomes overwhelming.
Every time I work with clients in nature, it is not only the clients who benefit, I do too.
How nature nourishes me
Coaching clients is stimulating and demanding for body, mind and heart. Nature nourishes me and prevents me from feeling drained or exhausted. Walking is good for my body, the fresh air is good for my lungs and mind, being immersed in nature’s beauty is good for my heart.
Why nature makes me feel at my best
The outer open space of nature always helps me feel more spacious inside. It’s in nature that I feel most resourceful and creative. And of course, that’s how I always want to show up for my clients: at my best - present, kind, non-judgemental, empathetic, open, curious, patient, inquisitive. Nature definitely helps me with that.
Nature can facilitate insights and breakthroughs
Have you ever noticed that when you feel out of sorts, unsure about something, upset or anxious, nature has this wonderful ability to ground you in the moment?
Our connection with nature is hard-wired and as such, spending time in nature can help us to become more attuned to how we are feeling, calming the mind, reducing stress. This is the mindset that allows me and my clients to gain a fresh perspective on things, and have new ideas on how to move forward.
How nature can be a reassuring friend to you
Nature is always there: patient, non-judgmental, spacious, solid and beautiful - what could be more reassuring? It’s deeply soothing and profound because it reminds me of our interconnectedness with all life. It helps us connect to something bigger than ourselves, fostering a deeper, kinder connection with ourselves, others and the world; increasing a sense of wellbeing.
What nature teaches us
Nature is my greatest teacher and role model. When I am outside, I enter nature. Nature ignites and stimulates my senses. It happens without effort. I don’t have to work hard to pay attention and listen deeply to my clients.
Nature provides what’s been coined a ‘restorative environment’ - nature captures our attention involuntarily – without effort. It allows us to just be. For many clients whose life is demanding, complex and busy this is a relief and deeply soothing.
As a dear friend once said, a good walk puts things right, and indeed it does. A walk in nature has always helped me find a way back to my senses, providing clarity on what matters most in that moment.
Karen Liebenguth, 28th May 2020
Thank you to Karen for the kind permission to share her article. Karen runs Greenspace Coaching and works in London’s parks.
Lesley holds an MSc in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business school and she has 16 years commercial experience with Mars. She holds an EMCC Senior accreditation. Read More >
She is the author of ‘Coaching Outdoors; the essential guide to partnering with nature in your coaching conversations’.
Contact by calling +44 (0) 7799 581792 or email info@coachingoutdoors.com.