INTERNATIONAL
NATURE-INSPIRED TRAINING
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Michael Stig Orbech and Mikkeline Kamille Kierkgaard
WHAT WE DO
The purpose of TEMENE is to strengthen life, leadership, conversations and the development of work relations through nature-inspired understanding and practices. The reason being, that nature’s principles and wisdom offer concrete support for better relationships, transformational processes and community collaboration.
Why do nature-inspired practices work? Because we ourselves are nature. Research shows that we thrive, learn and grow best when we understand and follow the life-giving principles that nature is built upon.
WHO WE ARE
TEMENE is an educational and training organisation founded in Denmark in 2004. The lead instructors are Michael Stig Ørbech and Mikkeline Kamille Kirkgaard. Together they bring a rare blend of depth, experience and embodied practice to the upcoming International Nature Coach Programme in 2027.
Michael has trained coaches for more than 20 years and blends organizational psychology, psychotherapy and nature-inspired facilitation. He has worked across a variety of sectors worldwide and is the author of several Danish books on leadership, relationships and nature-inspired practice — including a national bestseller soon to be available in English.
Mikkeline contributes with equally unique skills: Nature coaching, stress coaching, international process consulting and the embodied discipline and dedication of a former world-class elite athlete. As a yoga teacher grounded in somatic understanding, she ensures that learning settles in the body, not just the mind.
Together they create a learning atmosphere that is nature-inspired, holistic, grounded and future-oriented — designed for professionals ready to explore nature’s wisdom as a powerful path for human development.
NATURE COACH
International Nature Coach Training Programme
A deep personal immersion - learn to hold your professional conversations using nature-inspired practices
Starts in Portugal on 27th October 2027
Lead Instructors Mikkeline Kamille Kierkgaard and Michael Stig Orbech about the International Nature Coach Programme
On our International Nature Coach Training Programme you gain both solid professional grounding as a systemic, appreciative coach and learn how to integrate nature directly into your conversations.
This programme is based on more than 20 years of success training coaches in Denmark. It is for those who want to understand how nature and coaching—both outdoors and indoors—can strengthen the conversations you hold in your work and in your wider life. You may work as a consultant, educator, teacher, therapist, psychologist, leader, job counsellor, HR partner, or as an independent practitioner.
What is a Nature Coach—and why become one?
A Nature Coach is trained to facilitate professional coaching conversations where nature is actively included. As nature coaches, we work in a nature-inspired way, meaning we see nature—and its principles—as a teacher in the conversation.
There are many reasons to become a Nature Coach.
You learn the skills needed to work as a coach both indoor and outdoor. Throughout the programme, these linguistic and process-oriented skills are adapted to your specific professional role—whether you are a leader, consultant, or something else.
Experience shows that the quality and depth of professional conversations often increase with a nature-inspired approach. This benefits not only you and the person you are coaching, but your workplace as well.
In recent years, research has increasingly demonstrated the significant relational and personal (psychological and physical) benefits of cultivating a closer relationship with nature.
We are living in a time of transition, where a deeper relationship and sense of connectedness with nature is essential for our wellbeing—and for a credible and sustainable form of development. The Nature Coach contributes directly to this shift.
The training takes place mainly at retreat locations in a small, exclusive group of no more than 14 participants. This ensures depth, high-quality practice, and a trusted, committed cohort. Many experience the programme as a profound personal development journey.
You become a pioneer within the field of nature-inspired understanding and practice. It is a third way—not purely nature-based practice, nor classical regenerative thinking—but a distinct next-level field grounded in deep professional roots.
You also join a growing network of Nature Coaches. In addition, the programme provides access to our Master Classes in areas such as nature-inspired stress coaching, group and team development, and depth psychology.
Dates for the International Nature Coach Training Programme 2027
Deep Immersion Nature Retreat I: 27–31 October 2027. Portugal. Venue to be announced. Starts Wednesday at 10 am, ends Sunday at 2 pm
Online Learning Event I: Early December 2027. Exact date to be announced
Online Learning Event II: Early February 2028. Exact date to be announced
Deep Immersion Nature Retreat II: 31. March – 4. April 2028. Portugal. Venue to be announced. Starts Wednesday at 10 am, ends Sunday at 2 pm
Yes, I would like to know more
What are the aims of the programme?
The first aim is to ensure that you become a skilled conversation partner and coach with a solid professional foundation. The second aim is for you to learn how nature can actively be included in your conversations—in many different ways, both outdoors and indoors.
The third aim is for you to learn to become a Nature Coach in a way that strengthens connectedness with yourself, others, and the natural world. If you sense that this resonates and you want to contribute to this shift, then this programme is likely a good fit for you.
What do you gain from the programme?
Theory, models, methods and concrete tool to become a skilled coach and conversation partner—both indoors and outdoors as a Nature Coach.
Two 5 day Deep Immersion Nature Retreats - both held a beautiful retreat place in the shiny mountains of Portugal. In addition two Online Learning Events with the instructors.
In total equivalent to approx. 12 days of learning days.
A secured space in a small, exclusive group (max 14 participants) with room for trust, feedback and meaningful relationships.
An experiential and professionally grounded programme running since 2020, taught by instructors with many years of experience and strong professional credentials.
Participation in a training clan and access to a growing network of Nature Coaches
Learning various somatic practices and meditation forms (both sitting and movement-based), as well as developing your own practice.
Personal development on both the “inner and outer levels” including the opportunity—through coaching sessions etc.—to clarify your path towards realising the vision or the dreams that call you.
A time-out and a breathing space from everyday busyness where you experience professional community, joy of nature and a sense of connectedness.
Who are the Lead Instructors?
The Lead Instructors are Michael Stig Ørbech and Mikkeline Kamille Kierkegaard.
Michael is a highly experienced coach trainer. In addition to teaching on the Nature Coach programme since 2020, he has trained systemic, appreciative coaches at Copenhagen University College for more than 15 years. He is the author of several of the core book used in the programme and has worked with nature as a foundation for human development for many years.
Mikkeline is trained as a nature coach, metacognitive stress coach, and yoga teacher, and holds a bachelor’s degree in process leadership. She has a background as an elite athlete and has worked as a process facilitator in Denmark and Sweden. In addition to teaching for Temene, she works independently as a stress and nature coach in her company True Nature.
Who joins the programme?
We have been training coaches since 2005 and nature coaches since 2020. All participants have had work experience and a foundational education. What our nature coaches share is a desire to bring nature more actively into their lives and work—and to contribute to a greater sense of connectedness both inwardly and outwardly.
Participants have integrated the learning into their current professional roles or used it to explore and take first steps toward a more meaningful work life. They have come from both private and public sectors, including leaders, consultants, job counsellors, educators, psychologists, pedagogues, teachers, media professionals, nurses and others from the health sector.
All of them are engaged, thoughtful people who work with—and create success through—other human beings.
What does it cost?
The non-refundable deposit is 750 EUR and the total price is 3.500 EUR, which includes teaching, certification, accommodation and vegetarian meals.
Early Bird price is 3.250 EUR - saving 250 EUR. You may pay in one instalment or - upon agreement - in up to three instalments.
Note: Transport not included and at own expense.
OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME
DEEP NATURE IMMERSION RETREAT – “NATURE COACHING: THE FOUNDATION”
At our first Nature Retreat, you step into the essentials of eco-systemic coaching—systemic, appreciative, and nature-inspired principles woven into one coherent approach. You are introduced to the six core coaching disciplines, the ethical framework, and the foundations of the nature-inspired coach mindset.
Through teaching, guided training, reflection and real-time feedback, you begin developing your own nature-based competencies, including nature connection, sensory attunement, and working with states and presence outdoors.
You also learn to work with nature symbols and to externalise inner and outer themes. Step by step, you explore how the landscape itself can help structure, deepen, and move conversations forward. Finally, you learn to work with your client’s beliefs from a whole-person perspective (congruence work).
Your training group is established here, and you learn the feedback culture and approaches that will carry you through the programme.
BETWEEN THE TWO IMMERSION RETREATS
After returning from the first retreat, your primary focus is to bring what you have learned into your daily life—practising, experimenting, and receiving feedback from your training group meeting once a month. You will also study the course literature and join two online sessions with the lead instructors.
After the first online session, we invite you to begin working with your own clients—either through full nature coaching or by weaving a nature-inspired approach into the conversations already present in your professional role. Before each online session, you submit a short status report to your instructors.
Before attending the second immersion retreat, an individual session with an instructor is mandatory. This gives you supervision on your nature coaching and personalised professional feedback on your development so far.
DEEP NATURE IMMERSION RETREAT – “NATURE AS OUR TEACHER”
At the second retreat, we go deeper. Through sensing, immersion, contemplation and nature meditation, you work with an expanded experience of connectedness with nature. You are introduced to ancient nature-based wisdom traditions and learn how to apply these practices in contemporary coaching.
We explore nature as a teacher—how landscapes, elements and rhythms can illuminate challenges and open pathways forward. You strengthen your ability to hold conversations in natural environments, and work with how darkness, water, cold, wind, silence and other elements shape atmosphere and emotional depth.
In the final phase of the second immersion retreat, we integrate everything you have learned—mindset, understanding, methods, tools and embodied practice—so the role of Nature Coach becomes a genuine personal expression. Together we explore “Who am I as a Nature Coach going forward?” We train, exchange feedback, and complete the certification process.
Learning to become a Nature Coach is not only a matter of acquiring concepts and techniques. It is equally a personal development journey—one that asks you to meet yourself, your beliefs and your patterns, and to bring the learning into lived practice.
To be certified, active participation in all sessions and training meetings is required. In case of absence, additional individual teaching can be arranged.
Yes, I would like to know more
TESTIMONIALS - What participants are saying about our Nature Coach Training Programme:
Nikolaj Knub, psychotherapist
“I have a good foundation now that I can use with my clients”
Dan - video expected December 2026
Another video expected soon
Another video expected soon
Another video expected soon
MORE ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Michael Stig Orbech, founder and Lead Instructor
Michael Stig Orbech, founder and lead instructor
Michael has worked with people, teams and organisations across nearly every sector. He is the author of several articles and books that address crucial challenges in an increasingly complex and fast-changing world: the need for life-giving conversations, well-functioning groups and teams, and the capacity for deep reflection in leadership, staff teams and society at large. He is also the author of a forthcoming book on nature-inspired approaches to life, leadership, conversations and developmental processes, to be published in 2026.
Michael’s background includes leadership roles in two international consulting companies (COWI and NIRAS). His professional foundation rests on a wide range of experience and education, including a Master’s in Organisational Psychology, an MSc in Engineering specialising in organisational and technological development, Psychotherapist (EAPT-approved), Council Guide, Nature Therapist and Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF, IAF). He spent ten years working internationally with organisational development projects. His Danish career began in 2000 alongside a multi-year supervision programme with Dr. Peter Lang within the systemic tradition of human development.
Michael’s solid experience and capabilities have, among other things, led to his role as one of the process consultants behind the exemplary cases of the Danish National Leadership Commission
Mikkeline Kamille Kierkgaard, Lead Instructor
Mikkeline Kamille Kierkgaard, lead instructor
Mikkeline is a trained Nature Coach, Metacognitive Stress Coach and holds a bachelor’s degree in Process Leadership from Kaospilot (2014). She has professional experience from Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Colombia. As a process facilitator at the Danish Leadership Organisation (Lederne), she spent several years leading internal development processes, and at the Danish Architecture Center she facilitated internal organisational development. She also has project leadership experience from organisations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and Frederiksberg Municipality. Internationally, she led a major and widely recognised civic engagement initiative in Colombia.
She has a background as a world-level elite athlete and is a trained yoga teacher with a focus on embodiment and intuitive movement. She brings these experiences into her teaching by drawing on the body’s wisdom, supporting nervous system regulation and ensuring that learning is somatically grounded. Mikkeline has been a commentator at the Winter Olympics and has hosted and participated in numerous TV programmes in both Denmark and Germany.
Her teaching experience spans institutions such as VIA University College, Dania Academy, Kaospilot and SOSU. Internationally, she has also taught professionals in experience design — the intentional, emotion-oriented design of processes and products.
Mikkeline is a warm and heartfelt spaceholder who is devoted to creating environments where people can meet themselves, each other and the world from a more honest and caring place. Like Michael, her work centres on nature-inspired approaches. She is particularly dedicated to a holistic perspective — strengthening the connection between our inner nature (mind and body) and the outer nature. This supports a deeper sense of connectedness and nurtures greater responsibility for all living beings.
Alongside teaching in TEMENE’s programmes, she runs her own practice, True Nature, offering Nature Coaching and Stress Coaching in the outdoors
Our books
All published by Gyldendal (Hans Reitzel), one of the most reknown publisher in Denmark.
Michael Stig Orbech is the author of many articles and co-author of three books that address key points of attention in an increasingly complex, challenging, and changing reality: the need for more vivifying conversations, well-functioning groups and teams, and, not least, the ability for skilled reflection and contemplation in teams and personally. In addtion a new upcoming book on nature inspired approaches to life, conversations and at work will be published in Danish in early 2026 and later in English (expected early 2027).