Stepping onto the path of forest therapy and becoming a certified forest therapy guide has been one of the most significant milestones in my life. Trailblazing forest therapy in Singapore and this part of the world, I have guided hundreds of forest therapy walks and guided thousands of people and ‘bathers’. I am now humbled and delighted to be sharing this heart-centered and relational work in the role of a trainer with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT) - the global leader in forest therapy. Bringing my heart and all my experiences, I look forward to meeting and supporting You, who is feeling and willing to respond to Earth’s calling.

Scroll down further to read what past trainees have to say about the course!

The course is transformational and intensive. The 6-month course will cover various aspects of forest therapy. But more than learning to guide successfully, it is a course that will translate many areas of forest therapy into your daily living. From live webinars, to trainer-led walks, to trainees’ walk debrief calls, to small group discussion calls and more, the training is designed in a way that will gently guide you through all the steps and processes to integrate and deepen the learning in your head, and in your body.

The 6-month curriculum includes the Way of the Guide, the ANFT’s Standard Sequence, Language of Invitation, Heart Sense, Edges and Headroom of Guiding, and more. For the full curriculum, please visit this link.

Below, you will find the summary of the cohorts that I will be training. For full details on the training programme, as well as for registrations, please visit the respective cohort links below.

Please feel free to reach out to me should you prefer to connect personally and find out more too.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

PAST TRAININGS BY YOUMIN

Cohort 139 / Sakura (28 Oct 2024 - 28 April 2025) - ongoing

Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Thailand (11 Dec 2024 - 11 Dec 2024) - completed

Cohort 130 / Kingfisher (19 May 2024 - 19 Nov 2024) - completed

Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Japan (17 April 2024 - 21 April 2024) - completed

Cohort 126 / Sweetgrass (13 March 2024 - 13 September 2024 ) - completed

Cohort 120 / Koala (18 Nov 2023 - 18 May 2024) - completed

Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Thailand (3 Nov 2023 - 7 Nov 2023) - completed

Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / New Zealand (30 Mar 2023 - 3 April 2023) - completed

Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest (5 Feb 2023 - 5 Aug 2023) - completed

Cohort 100 / Orchid Blooms (26 Oct 2022 - 26 April 2023) - completed

Cohort 92 / Horsetail (5 June 2022 - 5 Dec 2022) - completed

Cohort 82 / Banyan (7 Nov 2021 - 7 May 2022) - completed

Cohort 71 / Dusky Dolphin (17 April 2021 - 17 Oct 2021) - completed

Cohort 64 / Ginkgo (29 November 2020 - 29 May 2021) - completed

Cohort 52 (Australia), March 2020 - September 2020 - completed

Youmin and Jackie were very informative, very supportive and very easy to follow in this course. I am so grateful to have had them as our guides and appreciate there time and effort. This course was a gift. I know I struggled with my edges in learning and staying focused and producing the work but within that gained knowledge and affirmation that there are no rules but the ones that we put upon ourselves. I have to say through it all I learned so much about myself and what limitations and restrictions I let the human world put on me. There is so much value in the freedom that this training encourages individuals to embrace themselves where they are and slow down to see the clues nature has to help us embrace our whole selves.

- Joelle Carter, USA (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)

I just wanted to share how incredibly meaningful the last six months have been for me. I’ve finally stepped into the role of a guide that I’ve always dreamt about, even though I never felt quite ready before. This training helped me take that leap and start guiding. One of the biggest highlights for me was guiding my friends and family as my very first participants. It was a special experience to let them see me in this new role, although it was challenging to me at first. Personally, I’ve experienced deeper connections to places, people, and beings and myself along the way and have partnered with nature on a new level when working outdoors with children and their parents.

- Anna Gradkowska, Hong Kong (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)

This journey has been a pathway into a more embodied way of relating to the natural world for me. My research and creative interests in eco poetry, eco spirituality and writing have always intersected, and this practice has been another pathway for me to work more closely in partnership with the forest, and to open doors for others. The highlights is learning and embodying the Way of the Guide, adding to a more embodied, sensory and sensual way of being in nature, as well as guiding others to be able to come into right relationship with the natural world. Youmin and Jackie were great trainers. They were open and supported, and knowledgeable about the Way of the Guide. They also embodied the Way of the Guide and facilitated my learning well.

- Esther Vincent, Singapore (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)

I felt like Jackie and Youmin did an amazing job supporting me on this journey. Their personal sharing was particularly helpful and was a great addition to the thinkific course info. Over the last six months I've experienced several personal hardships and having the course here was the personal support and was a push to grow and find a part of myself that I didn't really know was missing. I appreciate this opportunity to expand the number of guides in my state and continue spreading the message of reciprocal relationships with the land as I am a firm believer that we need to return to living with the land.

- Hanna Foster, USA (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)

I enjoyed the course work thoroughly. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I thought I had an understanding and appreciation for nature. However, this training has deepened my connection with the natural world and opened the door to the experiences and wisdom that nature has to offer. Highlights were the solo walk assignment, guiding my own walks, exploring POP and liminality, learning about and harvesting tea plants, and becoming part of a community of like minded people. Some challenges I encountered included facing and overcoming edges and slowing down. This practice has had a profound impact on me. I feel called to introduce more individuals to the benefits Forest Therapy. I feel I am helping the overall well being of this plant by sharing this practice. My plan is to move forward with a career in Forest Therapy. My trainers (Youmin and Marcela) were absolutely supportive, kind, open, and knowledgeable. Excellent in every way. I would highly recommend them.

- Mark Bucha, USA (Cohort 126 / Sweetgrass, 2024)

I did not expect the course to have so much impact on me - from my views about forest therapy, what I needed to do now, my connection with nature etc. It's like a life transformation process for me. I joined the course with intention to be able to 'lead' forest therapy and 'help' others connect with nature. I am very humbled after this 6 months of training, to be able to support the FOREST, guiding and witnessing participants' journey. The highlights are the time spent with nature and connecting with MTHF in a very intimate way that I could not describe. I am also very thankful to be part of ANFT community - it feels like being welcome HOME where I felt understood and with deep sense of belonging ...

- Tan Hwee Hoon, Singapore (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)

During this six-month period, I was able to maintain a deep connection with nature. Spending time in nature, I was able to observe the changing seasons and enjoy the wonders and small beauties that I had never noticed before. Through this journey, I experienced gentle moments of connection with people around the world who share the same sentiments about the forest, beyond boundaries. English and assignments were challenging for me, but they helped me gain confidence as a guide who connects with people all over the world. The trainers’ authenticity helped me to be myself during the course, and it was so inspiring to hear about their own experiences as a guide.

- Miki Fujita, Japan (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)

Besides learning the way of the guide, I feel that this course is a journey to learn more about myself. When I started the course I knew that this is definitely the course for me and I really enjoyed every part of it. Leading the four guided walks was certainly one of the highlights - I felt the support of nature and the participants and it has given me the confidence to offer such meaningful events in the future. I am also impressed by how close and supportive my fellow students are... lots of discussion and encouragement when we had questions. And of course, many thanks and appreciation to all the trainers! The trainers have provided us with a friendly and supportive environment in which to acquire the knowledge and had always given us the advice to explore more. I've seen myself change a lot over the six months and I'm really grateful for everything and everyone I've met.

- Chau Man Yi, Hong Kong (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)

All the trainers were wonderful and offered support in their own unique ways. I am very grateful for their loving and compassionate presence throughout the whole process. I also love how the course was organized, it makes a lot of sense to me. The ANFT Guide Training Program was life-changing for me. It is not just about learning a practical well-being practice, it is about deeply learning about yourself and our connection to everything that surrounds us.

- Maria Jose Reichenbach, Ecuador (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)

The ANFT Guide training is a life changing journey for anyone who would like to connect to the inner-self and to find their own unique ways to feel supported by nature. It is a journey to flow back home with a wonder-full heart. I enjoyed the ANFT walks. It was such a great experience to enjoy the walks with different perspectives, in being a participant or a guide depending on the training progress. It also showed the possibility and flexibility of leading forest therapy in both indoors and outdoors. The Heart Sense and GSL modules touched me a lot. They are essential parts of rebuilding and mending relationships with nature and ourselves. The connections are not only applied during the forest therapy walks, but have also brought benefits into my daily life.

- Charis Kwok, Hong Kong (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)

This course was exactly what I was looking for - learning and forming relationships with nature beings and with like-minded people! Being truly authentic, being vulnerable. It has been an amazing journey. Even with my busy schedule, working on this course was a much-needed break and really fuelled me with energy!

- Joyce Eng, Malaysia (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)

I would like to thank my trainers for holding the space and guiding my cohort mates and I through this journey. They are knowledgeable and they provided genuine attention and support during this course. This learning journey is transformational for me. It helped me to go through a major life challenge and most importantly helped me to reconnect with my self and nature in a humbling way. My sense of trust is now strengthen. May this cherished community of people who love nature stays alive!

- Marina Nurrahmani, Indonesia (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)

Youmin and Amanda were absolutely fantastic trainers! The training was very student-focused, strengths-based, and nurtured a beautifully supportive environment in which we could learn, learning both practical information and strategies to assist us in our forest guide journey, and reflective and introspective practices to foster our own growth and relationship with the forest. This course helped remind me what is important in life, and has supportive me to re-establish my relationship with nature, which is so easily lost in today's busy world.

- Katie,Peterson, Australia (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)

Although the 6-month course was not a walk-in-the-park due to the assignments and conducting of walks to strengthen our learning, it was a fruitful journey. It was a good experience to learn as a group with local and international course mates. The different sharing had been the highlight as we learned from one another and connected with each other even though many of us were living in different countries. After much personal effort, it was a sweet conclusion after spending 6 months together with the cohort. Learning to slow down and enjoy the pleasures of presence helped me reconnect with nature and heal. I look forward to contributing as a guide who opens the door to others so that they can benefit from forest therapy.

- Choo Wai Kit, Singapore (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)

I love nature in a different way after this course. The unfolding journey during the course with specific focus in the different modules helped me to build up relationships with nature. For first time, I enjoyed doing every assignment in a course - especially the drawing parts. Knowing more about myself and the relationships with people and nature have led me to plan my role at work as a forest therapy guide in the future.

- Chloe Lam, Hong Kong (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)

I really enjoyed the reading materials and videos in the course, especially when it came to the topics of wholeness and embodiment. I would definitely return to the materials and read them again. And I finally know who I am and what I am meant to be, because I found my "home" which I have been looking for many years. Thank you Amanda and Youmin for guiding me through the journey. Your sharing and experience helped me a lot to understand the materials and your answers to the questions in classes also gave me a lot of inspiration. Thank you so much!

- Yan Chan, Hong Kong (Cohort 92 / Horsetail, 2022)

How the course has been like: gentle; liberating; personal; supported.
Highlights: group sharing; solo walk; sit-spot, walk debriefs; graduation call.
Challenges: the time needed to attend zoom calls and to do assignments; encountering my personal edges that include managing safety and unforeseen scenarios when I'm guiding.
Impacts: offering more gentleness to myself, willing to show imperfection to others; more positive self-talk; renewed connection with nature.
Youmin and Amanda offered genuine response and advice throughout the course. Sometimes our questions may not have a single answer, but they shared their considerations / train of thoughts and experience through similar scenarios, and the intent that guides those decisions. They were both most hospitable and created a safe space for our cohort. Thank you!

- Lim Jia Ying, Singapore (Cohort 92 / Horsetail, 2022)

There were all kinds of surprises throughout the whole course! Whether it's the self-directed learning style, all the pod call sessions, small group discussions and free-style assignments - they were challenging and intensive, but inspiring for me (who grew up under a traditional education system). All the self-questionings, doubts and stress turned out to be fun and eye-opening knowledge about myself. I want to thank my trainers - Amanda and Youmin who are great mentors. They were always gentle and supportive. They held a lot of space for us to freely explore and discuss, yet the space was also not free till we got 'lost' - a great balance. I especially love the remote walks as I could learn by immersing myself into the walks and internalize the language and skills needed. Thank you!

- Winnie Wong, Hong Kong (Cohort 92 / Horsetail, 2022)

The content we learned from ANFT is more than how to be a forest therapy guide. They influenced me to re-think my previous thoughts and the ways that I treat people. Maybe I just need to let things happen naturally sometimes, to find their own way; try to make space for them and just keep the container. I have learnt to trust others more. That way that I look at things and see this world has also changed. There's no other way back home unless we connect with nature, pachamama and the more-than-human world. I really hope I can spread forest therapy in Taiwan, even weaving a web/ net in Asia. I'm grateful for my trainers Youmin and Amanda! They are kind and calm. That made me feel safe and not so nervous about all the unexpected situations that can arise during guiding. I also enjoyed the remote walks led by them. Each time I joined the walks, I felt soothed, relaxed, and connected with nature.

- Diano Lo, Taiwan (Cohort 82 / Banyan, 2021)

Besides being trained how to be a guide, this course has also taught me how to care for myself and how to connect more with Nature. The more I connect and express gratitude, the more I experienced pleasures of feelings and mystical moments. I also experienced many emotions during forest bathing and I am allowed to let the emotions be. I also experienced that there is a paradigm shift in the way I see life and people. I observed that I am less critical of myself and others, and learnt not to change or judge people's perspectives of life. I have learnt to love myself more and the liminal spaces. Mother Nature has taught me lessons that I wasn't able to learn in textbooks. Youmin and Amanda have been amazing trainers and wonderful mentors. The pod calls has been very helpful to check on the uncertainties we had on the assignments and it was always clarified. They have been a catalyst in my life to find my path as a Forest Therapy Guide. I express my gratitude to my trainers-cum-guides and Nature for being great teachers. A BIG HUG TO ALL OF THEM.

- Leela Narayana, Singapore (Cohort 82 / Banyan, 2021)

This course is way more than "hug a tree" or spoon-feeding of names of plants or animals. This is a way of living by connecting to yourself and to nature. When we revitalize our long-lost physical sensations and perceptions, we will appreciate nature more deeply. And when we perceived how accomodating and welcoming nature is, we are not only much more relaxed, we would let go of all critical habbits toward ourselves and to others. Then the beautiful healing journey of peace and home-coming begins. This course offered much more than I expected. I'm really impressed by how supportive and loving the trainers are and how the course actually helped me in my personal growth in such a gentle yet powerful way! Since the trainers exemplify the way of forest therapy, I received the guidance, support and was nurtured in aspects that I was not even aware of the need. This gave me such courage to live a fuller life and hopefully I can help others to receive support from nature and regain their footholds in life.

- Michelle Huang, Taiwan (Cohort 71 / Dusky Dolphin, 2021)

I feel guided by a very robust process, and in good hands…This course has been life changing - it has opened up the most beautiful gateway to a happier, more whole, and connected me. It has been a joyful discovery of a deeper connection to our nature beings - like really getting to know my good old friends. I highly recommend this course to all those who feel pulled in this direction, whether to become a guide or because your body and heart call you to explore.

- Rachel Dougherty, New Zealand (Cohort 71 / Dusky Dolphin, 2021)

My trainers were very supportive during my 6-month course. They helped me understand more about Forest Therapy both in philosophy and actions. I loved how they walked with us through our paths and helped us encounter with edges and gain our headrooms…This course has helped me in more ways than I expected. It not only helped me to pursue my dream to be a forest therapy guide, but also helped me with my personal growth. I connected more with nature, the community, and myself. I'm now confident to continue walking this path and can see clearer about my plan. I would recommend this course to others because it changed my attitude a lot about forest therapy and how we perceive this world. It's not only about forest therapy, but it's about living our lives and making peace with nature in our everyday lives.

- Nicha Sirinan, Thailand (Cohort 71 / Dusky Dolphin, 2021)

This journey has been a life changing experience for me....I have really appreciated the way the course has been constructed and presented, very much allowing me to engage, explore, enquire, learn, try out new information and practices in a very safe and nurturing learning environment. I really appreciated the invitation to get to know the place I live in a more intimate way.....the flow of water, the many creatures, the unique geography and ancestry of this land … are really fundamental shifts in the way I am in the world and which I'll come back to and will no doubt be working on me as time goes by. There have been many edges and as each edge softens I find myself at the next edge but always knowing that the teachers and my fellow students are at hand to provide advice and support if and when I need it … The skills, knowledge and experience I have gained through the course really provide me now with a new opportunity to change the direction of my life and work....another big edge for me to explore! Many thank-you's for creating, presenting and nurturing this opportunity.

- David Edwards, Australia (Cohort 71 / Dusky Dolphin, 2021)

Big thanks to my trainers for the ongoing support and for modelling trust, openness, gentleness, love, patience, inclusivity and hospitality (and so much more)… This has been one of the best programmes I've ever been on where I've discovered more about myself (my being) and deepened my connections with self, others, nature and other beings before my time…It has been a wonderful learning journey of discovery and unfolding, as I begin to find and step into my place in nature, and to connect with a community of nature-lovers with big hearts for the more-than-human-world. When I started the programme, I thought I was going to learn what the guide does (Doing), but what I really took away was learning how to be a guide (Being) in nature. There were many highlights from the programme, but a key one was learning that I'm not alone, and that the Forest has my back. As a guide, the idea of trusting and partnering the Forest/Nature is very liberating for me and allows me to be my authentic, playful self, and to be one with the Forest/Nature. While the coursework/assignments feel a bit overwhelming at times, they have helped me deepen my learning as a guide as well as to discover and confront some of my learning edges.”

- Goh Phek Suan, Singapore (Cohort 64 / Ginkgo, 2020)

My trainers could not have been more helpful.  During the unfolding of the course material they were supportive while allowing space to think for ourselves and were skilled at consolidating the information. I did not feel unsupported or left unsure at any any time, quite the opposite. And what a journey this has been! I am so grateful that I was somehow steered in the direction of ANFT.  I am so grateful for my trainers and fellow trainees and the safe space created by them.  I loved the gentle unfolding of this course; how we seemed to learn everything at just the right time to learn it. I loved the complete acceptance of our trainers demonstrating as well as explaining the Way of the Guide. The impact on my life in particular was being shown a  practical path  that fitted with my belief system about the earth, while extending my knowledge and vision. ANFT has given me a direction to help our earth and its human and other-than-human beings.

- Claire O’Brien, Australia (Cohort 64 / Ginkgo, 2020)

Personally, the course has helped me to break out from a deep-seated conditioning and I think I am better able to bring out my authenticity now... I felt it was a "life oriented learning", unlike the cram-and-drill learning I remember from school. I really enjoyed meeting different people, where everyone carries their own stories and yet we walk a common path... it showed me how humans are or should be able to collectively contribute to the whole. Overall, I had many highlights, the sit spot, the curiosity to find out more about the land here, to show humility and gratitude to this great creation, the deepening of the senses, also the deepening of the friendships, and to show respect and gratitude to the creatures in nature...I don't know yet where my path will lead me, but I trust my inner guidance and know very well today that my heightened senses will accompany me in my daily life with a lot of serenity, spontaneity and joy.

- Luitgard Yip, Hong Kong (Cohort 64 / Ginkgo, 2020)

If you will like to receive updates on the forest therapy guide trainings that I am conducting, please drop me an email at hello@xiunatureconnections.com . Thank you!