Overview of the Journey

The training program for Certified Forest Therapy Guide

  • 1

    Bulletin Board

    • Zoom Link for ALL Live Webinar, Walks, and Discussions

    • Recordings of Live Sessions

    • Schedule of Live Sessions

    • Optional: Join your cohort's WhatsApp Group!

    • Cohort Book and Resource Recommendations

    • Video: How to use this course (Thinkific Tutorial)

    • Troubleshooting and FAQ's

    • How to download the Thinkific Mobile App

    • Help us learn more about you!
  • 2

    Training Details & Resources

    • Orientation to the Elements of this Training Program

    • Assignments, Prerequisites for Guiding & Requirements for Course Completion

    • Zoom Attendance & Etiquette

    • Recommended Reading

    • Wilderness First Aid

    • Insurance

    • Guiding in Winter

    • Sign up for the ANFT Newsletter

    • Completing This Training Program
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    Soil: Pre Course Learning Activities

  • 4

    Module 1 (Fire): What is Forest Therapy?

    • Learning Objectives: Fire

    • Fun Facts

    • Live Session: Welcome!

    • Video: Self Directed Learning in this Course with Ben Page

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

    • Assignment Checklist

    • Glossary of Terms

    • Video: What do we mean by Story? with Manuela Siegfried

    • The Wild Tending Land Ethic with Carlos Collado

    • Video: Introduction to Sit Spot with Stana Luxford-Oddie

    • Watch: How Forests Heal People

    • Module 01 Reflections on the Journey (Fire)
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    Module 2 (Mycelia): What is a Forest Therapy Guide?

    • Learning Objectives: Mycelia

    • Fun Facts (Module 1 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 1: Patience

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

    • Video: The Forest is the Therapist, the Guide Opens the Doors with Geeta Stilwell

    • Watch: Take a Five Minute Forest Therapy Break

    • Forbes: Forest Bathing During the Corona Virus

    • Assignment: Sit Spot Base Map

    • Assignment: Draft of Introduction to a Forest Therapy Walk

    • Assignment: History of the Land

    • Module 02: Reflections on the Journey (Mycelia)
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    Module 3 (Seed): The Way of the Guide

    • Learning Objectives: Seed

    • Fun Facts (Module 2 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 2: Trust

    • Introductory Exploration: Pleasures of Presence

    • A POP Script with Comments by Amos Clifford

    • An Audio Library of POPs

    • Assignment: Written Invitations- Pleasures of Presence

    • Facilitation: Pleasures of Presence

    • Video: The Way of the Guide with Ben Page

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

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

    • Watch: Voices in Between with Youmin Yap

    • VIDEO: Introduction to the Web of Interbeing Assignment

    • Module 03: Reflections on the Journey (Seed)
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    Module 4 (Roots): The Standard Sequence and the Liminal Journey

    • Learning Objectives: Roots

    • Fun Facts (Module 3 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 3: Acceptance

    • Introductory Exploration: Wander and 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

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

    • Video: The Standard Sequence with Nadine Mazzola

    • Video: Tam Willey on Liminality

    • Exploration: Wander

    • PBS: Windows to the Wild

    • Diagram: 2 Ways of Guiding

    • Optional: Join Private Guide Facebook Page

    • Amos' Lineages Behind ANFT

    • Bare Bones of Tea

    • Module 4: Reflection on the Journey (Roots)

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

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    Module 5 (Seedling): Language of Invitation

    • Learning Objectives: Seedling

    • Fun Facts (Module 4 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 4: Sensuousness

    • Facilitation: POP & WIM

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

    • Video: SOSI (Simple Open Sensory Infinite) with Geeta Stilwell

    • Exploration: Partnership Invitation Library

    • Video: Catching and Crafting Invitations with Nadine Mazzola

    • To the Best of Our Knowledge: Bathing in the Beauty of Trees

    • Exploration: Noticing Sensory Pathways

    • Introducing Assignment: Crafting Partnership Invitations

    • VIDEO: Understanding the Difference: Prescriptive VS Descriptive

    • Language of Invitation: What to avoid

    • Assignment: Crafting Partnership Invitations Part 1

    • Exploration: Guide as "Permissionary"

    • Assignment & Facilitation: Tea for Two

    • Module 05: Reflection on the Journey (Seedling)
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    Module 6 (Trunk): Bioregional Learning

    • Learning Objectives: Trunk

    • Fun Facts (Module 5 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 5: Playfulness

    • Video: Tea Ceremony with Jackie Kuang

    • Thinking about the term ‘Tea Ceremony'

    • Introducing Assignments: Bioregional Learning

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

    • Assignment: Watershed Map

    • Assignment: Awareness Journal

    • Video: Facts and Relationships: Two Ways of Knowing with Manuela Siegfried

    • Assignment: Scout a trail

    • Introducing Assignment: Tea Plant Identifications

    • Assignment: Tea Plant Identification #1

    • VIDEO: Safe and Ethical Foraging Practices

    • Video: Introducing Forest Therapy Prompts with Ben Page

    • Announcement: You're ready to begin guiding!

    • Module 06: Reflection on the Journey (Trunk)
  • 10

    A Note on Training Extensions

    • Minimum Requirements to be Considered for Extension

    • Extension Process - Forest Therapy Guide Training & WFA Extensions
  • 11

    Guided Walks (Complete Assignment Submissions Modules 1-6 to unlock)

    • Orientation to Guided Walks Module

    • Thinking about your learning adventure

    • Guiding in the age of Coronavirus

    • Before You Guide: Forms & Waivers

    • Before you start guiding: Self Assessment

    • Sample Walk Debrief Form

    • Assignment: Walk 1 Reflection Template

    • Assignment: Walk 2 Reflection Template

    • Assignment: Walk 3 Reflection Template

    • Assignment: Walk 4 Reflection Template

    • Report your Walks
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    Module 7 (Branch): Senses, Embodiment, and Relationships

    • Learning Objectives: Branch

    • Fun Facts (Module 6 review)

    • Personal Inquiry 6: Simplicity

    • Exploration: Revisit POP

    • Assignment: Crafting Partnership Invitations Part 2

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

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

    • Watch: The Lore Co. & Shinrin Yoku LA: Forest Therapy with Ben Page

    • VIDEO Exploration: Mindful Eating with Jackie Kuang

    • Video: Senses as the Gateway to Relationships with Manuela Siegfried

    • Video: Inner and Outer Journeys in Forest Therapy with Vicky Kyan

    • VIDEO: Liminality with Ben Page

    • Supplemental Reading: Encounters With Relationship

    • Exploration: Bodyfulness

    • Exploration: Nature Relation

    • What are you noticing?

    • Module 07: Reflection on the Journey (Branch)
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    Module 8 (Leaf): The Heart Sense

    • Learning Objectives: Leaf

    • Fun Facts (Module 7 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 7: Creativity

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

    • Exploration: The Heart Sense

    • Exploration: Plant a being in a slightly different way

    • Video: The Heart as a Sensory Organ with Ben Page

    • Video: The Heart Sense and Reciprocity with Manuela Siegfried

    • Assignment: Crafting Partnership Invitations Part 3

    • Introducing assignment: Solo Walk

    • What are you noticing?

    • Module 08: Reflection on the Journey (Leaf)
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    Module 9 (Flower): Edges and Headroom

    • Learning Objectives: Flower

    • Fun Facts (Module 8 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 8: Self Discovery

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

    • Video: What are Edges? With Vicky Kyan

    • Exploration: Encounter an edge

    • Assignment: Tracking our own edges

    • Assignment: Planning how to gain headroom

    • Assignment: Crafting Partnership Invitations Part 4

    • Introducing assignment: Harvest Project

    • Module 9: Reflection on the Journey (Flower)
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    Module 10 (Fruit): Gathering, Sharing and Listening

    • Learning Objectives: Fruit

    • Fun Facts (Module 9 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 9: Care

    • Assignment Reminders

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

    • Exploration: Listening to Trees

    • Exploration: Decentering and Anti-Bias

    • Video: The Story of Stone Soup with Jackie Kuang

    • Video: Listening and Omnipartiality with Ben Page

    • Exploration: Practicing Listening

    • Module 10: Reflection on the Journey (Fruit)
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    Module 11 (Crown): Health Science in Forest Therapy

    • Learning Objectives: Crown

    • Fun Facts (Module 10 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 10: Deep Attention

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

    • Helpful resources to research and studies

    • Video: Forest Therapy and the Nervous System with Ronna Schneberger

    • BBC Podcast: People Fixing the World - The healing power of forests

    • Research: Shinrin Yoku and Nature Therapy: A State of the Art Review

    • Research: Dr Qing Li's most recent paper

    • Research: Forest Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Effects on Human Health: A State-of-the-Art Reviewon

    • Research: Ohlsson, Nature Connection as Wellbeing Practice and Subjective Activism

    • The Japanese approach of Shinrin Yoku and Forest Therapy by ANFT

    • Optional Assignment: Public Presentation

    • Module 11: Reflection on the Journey (Habitat)
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    Module 12 (Habitat): Business of Forest Therapy

    • Learning Objectives: Habitat

    • Fun Facts (Module 11 Review)

    • Personal Inquiry 11: Reciprocity

    • 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
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    Module 13 (Feast): Harvest

    • Learning Objectives: Feast

    • Personal Inquiry 12: Humility

    • Reading: Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Bathing as Embodied Ecology

    • Submit your remaining assignments

    • Assignment: Rest!

    • Marking your Threshold
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    Assignment Submissions (Modules 1-6)

    • Uploading Assignments

    • Assignment Checklist

    • Submit your Sit Spot Base Map (Module 2)

    • Submit your History of the Land (Module 2)

    • Submit your Draft of Introduction to Forest Therapy Walk Upload (Module 2)

    • Submit your Written Invitations of Pleasures of Presence (Module 3)

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

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 1 (Module 5)

    • Submit your Tea for Two (Module 5)

    • Submit your 1st Tea Plant Identification (Module 6)

    • Submit your Watershed Map (Module 6)

    • Submit your Awareness Journal (Module 6)

    • Submit your Trail Assessment (Module 6)
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    Assignment Submissions (Modules 7-13)

    • Submit your remaining Tea Plant Identifications (Introduced in Module 6)

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 2 (Module 7)

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 3 (Module 8)

    • Submit your Partnership Invitations: Part 4 (Module 9)

    • Submit your Exploration: Tracking our Edges and Building Headroom (Module 9)

    • Submit your Vision Statement (Module 12)

    • Submit your Web of Interbeing: Visual Representation

    • Submit your Web of Interbeing: Written Explanation

    • Submit your Harvest Project

    • Fill out and Submit Final Self Assessment

    • Please participate in the Post-Survey for this important Research Project
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    Module 14 (Return): Threshold of Initiation

    • Learning Objectives: Return

    • Submit your Wilderness First Aid Certificate

    • Personal Inquiry 13: Belonging

    • The ANFT Way of Forest Therapy

    • Video: Threshold of Incorporation with Amos Clifford

    • Assignment: Threshold Ceremony and Celebration

    • ANFT Member Resources

    • Become a Certified Trail Consultant with ANFT

    • Professional Development Courses

    • Your Certification

    • Module 13: 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

Jackie Kuang

Jackie is a trainer and business manager with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. She’s a certified forest therapy guide trained in 2017 at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and has been guiding regularly in her communities ever since. She’s one of the first guides to pioneer guiding walks remotely via Zoom when the pandemic made guiding in-person unsafe for many months in 2020. Born and raised in China, Jackie came to the United States in 1990 to pursue her PhD in American Literature. She has had a diverse background in various fields such as teaching, translating, marketing, and practicing as a Certified Public Accountant. One of her greatest joys in guiding and training guides is witnessing the transformative impact on participants’ well-being on so many levels. She has co-led over 10 guide trainings worldwide as of 2022 and created a professional development course called Guiding Business Success for trained guides.

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.