Overview of the Journey

The training program for Certified Forest Therapy Guide

  • 1

    About Using Thinkific

    • Video: How to use Thinkific (Tutorial)

    • Download the Thinkific Mobile App

  • 2

    Cohort Bulletin Board

    • Schedule of Live Sessions

    • Communicating with the Training Team
  • 3

    Training Details & Resources

    • Logistics of this Training

    • How to Approach this Training

    • Sketching in this Training

    • Language Note and Acknowledgement

    • Assignment Checklist

    • How to Prepare for a Remotely Guided Walk

    • Recommended Reading and Watching

    • Theoretical Foundations and Key Concepts: A Reference Guide for Forest Therapy

    • Troubleshooting and FAQ's

    • Sign up for the ANFT Newsletter
  • 4

    Wilderness First Aid Certification Requirement

    • Wilderness First Aid Certification

    • Submit your Wilderness First Aid Certificate
  • 5

    A Note on Training Extensions

    • Minimum Requirements to be Considered for Extension

    • Extension Process - Forest Therapy Guide Training & WFA Extensions
  • 6

    Soil: Pre Course Learning Activities

    • Research Survey: Please participate: Your Experience Matters. Your Contribution Shapes Discovery.

    • Video: Welcome to the journey with Amos Clifford

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Words of Gratitude

    • Video: Amos Clifford Introduces Your Guide to Forest Bathing

    • Assigment: Read Your Guide to Forest Bathing by M. Amos Clifford

    • Watch: Take a Five Minute Forest Therapy Break

    • Watch: How Forests Heal People
  • 7

    Module 1 (Fire): What is Forest Therapy?

    • Learning Objectives: Fire

    • Fun Facts

    • Live Session: Welcome!

    • Assignment: Introduce Yourself

    • Co-emergence: Patience & Presence

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Fire Module)

    • Video: What do we mean by Story? with Giovanna Raineri

    • Glossary of Terms

    • Audio: Amos Clifford Interviewed by Ariana Candell (28:46)

    • Video: What is Shinrin Yoku? with Makiko Sugishita

    • Learning from Indigenous Land Stewardship Wisdom with Christine Hoyer

    • Video: Trusting Our Innate Capacity to Learn with Amanda Yik

    • Video: Introduction to Sit Spot with Darlene Rooney

    • Find Your Sit Spot!

    • Collecting your Stories: The Sit Spot Journal

    • Sit Spot Practice: Pleasures of Presence

    • Assignment: Sit Spot Base Map

    • Assignment: Scout a trail and build relationship with it

    • Assignment: History of the Land

    • Self Assessment Part 1: Review
  • 8

    Module 2 (Mycelia): The Standard Sequence and Liminal Space/Time

    • Learning Objectives: Mycelia

    • Fun Facts (Module 1 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Trust

    • Chapter from the Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Mycelia Module)

    • Video: The Standard Sequence with Geeta Stilwell

    • Amos' Lineages Influencing the Standard Sequence

    • Exploration: Pleasures of Presence

    • Exploration: Different Styles of POP

    • A Script for POP

    • Assignment: Written Invitation - Pleasures of Presence

    • Facilitation: Pleasures of Presence

    • Video: Tam Willey on Liminality

    • PBS: Windows to the Wild

    • Exploration: What are you noticing?
  • 9

    Module 3 (Seed): Threshold of Incorporation

    • Learning Objectives: Seed

    • Fun Facts (Module 2 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Hospitality

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Seed Module )

    • Video: Tea Ceremony with Youmin Yap

    • Thinking about the term ‘Tea Ceremony'

    • VIDEO: Alternative Methods for Threshold of Incorporation with Nadine Mazzola

    • VIDEO: Safe and Ethical Foraging Practices

    • Introducing Assignment: Tea Plant Identifications

    • Assignment: Tea Plant Identification #1
  • 10

    Module 4 (Roots): To Be a Guide and Our Scope of Practice

    • Learning Objectives: Roots

    • Fun Facts (Module 3 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Embodied Knowing

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Roots Module )

    • Video: To Be a Guide with Amos Clifford

    • Video: The Forest is the Therapist, the Guide Opens the Doors with Caitlin Williams

    • Yoga Journal: We Tried Forest Bathing and Now We See Magic Everywhere

    • Watch: Voices in Between with Youmin Yap

    • Wander and Explore - What's In Motion?

    • A Library of WIMs

    • Some additional WIM techniques for specific challenges

    • Assignment: Written Invitations- What's In Motion?

    • Exploration and Practice: Record Yourself Self-Facilitating POP

    • Assignment & Facilitation: Tea for Two

    • VIDEO: Introduction to the Web of Interbeing Assignment

    • Web of Interbeing Examples

    • Optional: Join Private Guide Facebook Page

    • Immersions: You are ready and eligible to apply a 4-day in-person immersion

  • 11

    Module 5 (Seedling): Language for Relational Forest Therapy

    • Learning Objectives: Seedling

    • Fun Facts (Module 4 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Listening Deeply

    • Chapters from the Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Seedling Module)

    • Podcast: To the Best of Our Knowledge: Bathing in the Beauty of Trees with Amos Clifford

    • VIDEO: Understanding the Difference: Prescriptive VS Descriptive with Katarina Cuk

    • The Different Parts of an Invitation

    • Words and Phrases That Invite Choice

    • Exploration: Noticing Sensory Pathways

    • Exploration: Modeling sensory engagement/Permission to play

    • Facilitation: POP & WIM

    • Assignment: Draft Your Introduction to a Forest Therapy Walk
  • 12

    Module 6 (Trunk): Putting Language into Practice

    • Learning Objectives: Trunk

    • Fun Facts (Module 5 Review)*

    • Co-emergence: Playful Exchange

    • Chapters from the Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Trunk Module)

    • Video: Co-emergence with Amos Clifford

    • Video: Catching and Crafting Invitations with Katarina Cuk

    • "It Depends" Invitation Library

    • Introducing Assignment: Building Your Collection of Invitations

    • Tools for Drafting your Invitations

    • Considerations for Refining Language in “It Depends” Invitations

    • Assignment: Crafting "It Depends" Invitations Part 1

    • Assignment: Crafting "It Depends" Invitations Part 2

    • Assignment: Crafting "It Depends" Invitations Part 3
  • 13

    Module 7 (Branch): Sharing & Deep Listening

    • Learning Objectives: Branch

    • Fun Facts (Module 6 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Presence

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, BRANCH Module)

    • Video: The Story of Stone Soup with Ronna Schneberger

    • Exploration: Listening to Trees

    • Exploration: Decentering and Anti-Bias

    • Video: The Art of Listening with Jackie Kuang

    • Video: Introducing Forest Therapy Prompts with Carla Zorzanelli

    • Exploration: Practicing Listening

    • Introducing Assignment: Awareness Journal

    • Diagram: Different Types of Trails and Ways of Guiding

    • Announcement: You're ready to begin guiding!
  • 14

    Getting Ready to Guide (To unlock, submit assignments for Modules 1-7)

    • Orientation to Getting Ready to Guide Module

    • Considering your learning adventure

    • Guiding in a Post-Pandemic World

    • Before You Guide: Forms & Waivers

    • Insurance for Guides

    • Self Assessment - Part 2

    • What's in my Backpack?

    • Sample Walk Debrief Form

    • Assignment: Walk 1 Reflection Template

    • Assignment: Walk 2 Reflection Template

    • Assignment: Walk 3 Reflection Template

    • Assignment: Walk 4 Reflection Template

    • Guiding in Different Weather

    • Report your Walks
  • 15

    Module 8 (Leaf): Senses, Embodiment, and Relationships

    • Learning Objectives: Leaf

    • Fun Facts (Module 7 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Kinship

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy ((Required Reading, Leaf Module)

    • VIDEO Exploration: Mindful Eating with Stana Luxford-Oddie

    • Video: Senses as the Gateway to Relationships with Nadine Mazzola

    • Video: Inner and Outer Journeys in Forest Therapy with Geeta Stilwell

    • Exploration: Bodyfulness

    • Exploration: Nature Relation

    • Video: The Heart as a Sensory Organ with Nadine Mazzola

    • Video: The Heart Sense w/ Amos Clifford Part One

    • Video: The Heart Sense w/ Amos Clifford Part Two

    • Exploration: The Heart Sense

    • Exploration: Plant a being in a slightly different way

    • Exploration: Revisit POP

    • Guided Walks: What are you noticing?

    • VIDEO: A good reminder: Your sit spot can support you in your assignments with Amanda Yik

    • Introducing assignment: Solo Walk
  • 16

    Module 9 (Flower): Bioregional Learning and Relationships

    • Learning Objectives: Flower

    • Fun Facts (Module 8 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Reciprocity

    • Video: Facts and Relationships: Two Ways of Knowing with Marcela Morales

    • Introducing Assignments: Bioregional Learning

    • Watershed and Relationship

    • Assignment: Getting to Know your Watershed

    • Assignment: Awarenesses Journal Part 2

    • Introducing Assignment: Harvest Project

    • Reminder: Schedule your Forest Therapy Walks
  • 17

    Module 10 (Fruit): Edges and Headroom

    • Learning Objectives: Fruit

    • Fun Facts (Module 9 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Vulnerability and Courage

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Fruit Module)

    • Video: What are Edges? With Ken Ouendag

    • Exploration: Explore and Be with an Edge

    • Assignment: Tracking our Edges & Gaining Headroom

    • Assignment Reminders
  • 18

    Module 11 (Crown): Health Science in Forest Therapy

    • Learning Objectives: Crown

    • Fun Facts (Module 10 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Multiple Ways of Knowing

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Crown Module)

    • Podcast: The Healing Power Of Nature - Florence Williams | Being Human #287 (1:00:48)

    • Outside Magazine: Take Two Hours of Pine Forest and Call Me in the Morning

    • VIDEO: Ways of Knowing Related to Health Science in Forest Therapy with Tam Willey

    • Exploration Research Studies: Review Some Articles and Do Your Own Search

    • Exploration: Talking About the Health Impacts Your Way

    • Optional Assignment: Public Presentation
  • 19

    Module 12 (Habitat): Developing Your Guiding Practice

    • Learning Objectives: Habitat

    • Fun Facts (Module 11 Review)

    • Co-emergence: Community and Relationship

    • Assignment: Writing a Vision Statement

    • Chapters from The Guide's Handbook of Forest Therapy (Required Reading, Habitat Module)

    • The Guide's Press Kit

    • Community Guidelines for Establishing Thriving ANFT Communities

    • Why do I need a Guide? Research on the difference between a Guided versus an Unguided Forest Bathing walk

    • Exploration: Brainstorming Partnerships

    • Optional: Forest Bathing Finder

    • VIDEO Optional: Waivers Workshop with Nicole Roma Thurrell
  • 20

    Module 13 (Feast): Harvest

    • Learning Objectives: Feast

    • Co-emergence: Humility

    • Submit your remaining assignments

    • Assignment: Rest!

    • Marking your Threshold
  • 21

    Assignment Submissions (Modules 1-7)

    • Uploading Assignments

    • Assignment Checklist

    • Submit your Sit Spot Base Map (Module 1)

    • Submit your History of the Land (Module 1)

    • Submit your Trail Assessment (Module 1)

    • Submit your Written Invitations of Pleasures of Presence (Module 2)

    • Submit PART 1 of Tea Plant Identification (Module 3)

    • Submit your Tea for Two (Module 3)

    • Submit your Written Invitations of What's In Motion? (Module 4)

    • Submit your Draft of Introduction to Forest Therapy Walk Upload (Module 5)

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 1 (Module 6)

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 2 (Module 6)

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 3 (Module 6)

    • Submit List of Awarenesses (Module 7)
  • 22

    Assignment Submissions (Modules 8-12)

    • Submit your Watershed Map (Module 9)

    • Submit your Exploration: Tracking our Edges and Building Headroom (Module 10)

    • Submit your Vision Statement (Module 13)

    • Submit PART 2 of your Awarenesses Journal

    • Submit PART 2 of Plant Identifications (Introduced in Module 3)

    • Submit your Web of Interbeing: Visual Representation

    • Submit your Web of Interbeing: Written Explanation

    • Submit your Harvest Project

    • Self Assessment - Part 3

    • Post-Survey Important Research Project: Please participate in the post course survey!
  • 23

    Module 14 (Return): Threshold of Return, Graduation and Certification

    • Learning Objectives: Return

    • Personal Inquiry 13: Belonging

    • Video: Threshold of Incorporation with Amos Clifford

    • Assignment: Threshold Ceremony and Celebration - Your Graduation

    • ANFT Member Resources

    • Professional Development Courses

    • Become a Certified Trail Consultant with ANFT

    • Your Certification

    • Module 14: Reflection on the Journey (Return)

    • Congratulations!

    • Worldwide Guide Directory and Map
  • Two people sitting on a trail in a forest in Slovenia
  • A woman guides another woman on a forest therapy walk
  • A birch forest in Ireland

Trainers for this course

Mentor, Trainer

Youmin Yap

Youmin is one of Southeast Asia's pioneer certified Forest Therapy Guides. She trained with Cohort 18 in 2017 and has since been offering the practice on a full-time basis. Currently based in Singapore, Youmin founded Xiu Nature Connections to offer forest therapy experiences with the intention to ignite the importance of deep restorative rest and deep connections for the wellbeing of stressed-out and disconnected city dwellers. In her practice, Youmin has partnered and worked with several organizations including designing and hosting of community nature programs for the National Parks Board of Singapore, wellness workshops for spas and resorts such as Museflower Retreat and Spa in Thailand, staff wellbeing events for companies such as GIC Singapore, wellbeing support programs for community groups such as Singapore Cancer Society, introductory workshops for related industries such as the Department of Tourism of Philippines etc. Her work has also been shared at various international conferences. On the invite from the National Parks Board Singapore, Youmin published an article on "Urban Forest Therapy". Youmin holds a degree of Master in Science in life sciences from the National University of Singapore, and a postgraduate diploma in education from the National Institute of Education Singapore.

Mentor, Trainer

Amanda Yik

Amanda is the founder of Shinrin Yoku Hong Kong, a Certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs in the US, as well as a Certified Professional Coach in Transformation. Amanda graduated from the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law (LLB (Hons) and PCLL) and Faculty of Social Sciences (MSocSc in Corporate Environmental Governance). Survivng critical illness in 2014 allowed her to experience the deep healing power of living with awareness in the embrace of nature. Since 2017, she has guided and facilitated close to 100 forest bathing and nature connection experiences, lectures and workshops through public events and in collaboration with the corporate sector, social service organisations, environmental centres, NGOs and educational institutions in Hong Kong. Tapping into her extensive experience as a lawyer and a senior NGO manager and drawing from decades of combined experience in yoga, tai chi and mindfulness practice, she crafts highly relevant and personal experiences that support busy urbanites to reconnect with nature, each other and the peace and wisdom within us. Amanda’s deep connection with nature has supported her through life’s many challenges, including multiple career transitions and critical illness, and she has found nature to be a sacred sanctuary, a wise teacher, a fun-filled friend, a loving parent, and much more. She felt called to be of service to the earth in 2006, but it took her many years and a windy path before encountering Forest Therapy, a practice that deeply resonated with her calling. Amanda is now an ANFT Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and Mentor, as well as an ICF Certified Professional Coach for Transformation based in Hong Kong. She founded Shinrin Yoku Hong Kong in 2017 to offer forest therapy and nature connection experiences to support busy urbanites reconnection with nature and reignite our passion for life. She collaborates extensively with the corporate sector, conservation organizations, NGOs and educational institutions and offers experiences in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

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