3rd World Forum on Forest Therapy

Program Facilitator & Program

1. Awakening Inner Resilience through the Forest

   

   Eun-a Kim
   Director, Eochi Forest
   
   A certified Forest Therapy Instructor and Forest Interpreter, she leads Eochi Forest, designing recovery-oriented forest therapy, ecological education, and wellness tourism programs
   
   Program
   A multisensory session in which a sky mirror and vision-limiting activities open up new ways of experiencing the forest, closing with Pueraria flower tea and reflection on one’s own inner resources for recovery

1. Forest Therapy in Shinano Town: Advanced Session

   

   Kazuhiro Kouriki
   Vice Chair, Hitotoki-no-kai, Shinano-machi
   Forest Therapy Research Association
   
   Since 2002 he has trained 450 Forest Medical Trainers through Shinano Town’s course, and has personally guided some 2,500 children and 8,000 adults
   
   Program
   An advanced session for forest therapy guides, practitioners, and researchers, sharing the know-how and field cases Shinano Town has built over 24 years

1. Opening the Five Senses: Shinano Town’s “Iyashinomori” Forest Therapy

   

   Hisashi Kasai
   Shinano-machi Woods-Life Community, “Iyashinomori”
   
   Formerly with the C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust, he now directs “Iyashinomori” (The Healing Forest), a flagship municipal project of Shinano Town, Nagano. He is a certified Forest Therapist and Mental Health Social Worker.
   
   Program
   A slow-paced guided walk awakens the five senses, followed by mindful breathing, barefoot water-wading, and quiet time lying on forest mats

1. Experiencing Taiwan’s Four-Step Forest Therapy Model: A Five-Senses Journey in Nature

   

   Li-Kan Sung
   Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Taiwan Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
   
   A Certified Forest Therapy Guide accredited by the Taiwan Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency since 2023, he has facilitated over 120 sessions for the public, corporate groups, government agencies, and healthcare institutions.
   
   Program
   Experience the four-step model at the core of Taiwan’s Forest Therapy Guide training — Centering, Mindfulness, Connection, and Sharing.

1. The Combination of Traditional Chinese Exercises and Forest Bathing

   

   Dr. Zhiling Wang
   Associate Professor, Shanxi Agricultural University; Standing Director & Deputy Secretary-General, Forest Therapy Branch, Chinese Society of Forestry
   
   She leads the Forest Therapy program at the College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, and served as a visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia, directing three research projects on forest wellness.
   
   Program
   A workshop bringing traditional Chinese exercises into forest bathing — from sensory warm-ups and a guided walk to forest myths and practical applications.

1. Nature Play in Practice: A Play-Based Nature Connection Workshop from Hong Kong

   

   William Tsang
   Founder & CEO, Nature Bathing
   
   With 25 years in nature education and experiential learning, he has delivered programs for over 500 institutions reaching 50,000+ participants. A Certified Forest Therapy Guide (ANFT), he founded the social enterprise Nature Bathing in 2017.
   
   Program
   Experience how play and movement in nature support well-being and sensory engagement, then explore how Nature Play can be applied in forest therapy and education settings

1. Forest-Based Intervention as a Nature Prescription for Older Adults with Sarcopenia

   

   Hui-Chen Wu
   Lecturer, Taiwan Square Stepping Sports Association
   
   Holding a Master of Science in Exercise and Health Sciences, she is a Certified Forest Therapist and EIM (Exercise is Medicine) professional working across community, school, workplace, and hospital health promotion
   
   Program
   A Taiwanese model for older adults at risk of sarcopenia, combining forest therapy activities with functional exercise as a nature prescription

1. Soundscape: Deep Listening in Nature

   

   Myoung Hea Kim
   
   An instructor at the Soundscape Education Association and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Forest Welfare and Healing at Onseok Graduate University, she specializes in soundscape-based forest therapy.
   
   Program
   A sound-based forest therapy session in which deep listening to natural sounds and spatial resonance enhances awareness of present sensations and emotions while fostering connection with nature.

1. Documentary Film & Talk : Silent Healers, Nature's Cure

   

   Tamberly Conway
   CEO, Nurturing Nature Lifelong Living
   
   Dr. Tamberly Conway, Founder and CEO of Nurturing Nature Lifelong Living and Conservation Conexions, serves as a bilingual Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Certified Forest Therapy Trails, Spaces and Places Consultant, International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and an international speaker.
   
   Program
   Documentary Film & Talk: Silent Healers, Nature’s Cure is an interactive film screening and facilitated dialogue exploring the evolution of Forest Therapy in the Republic of Korea and its growing influence on nature-based health and well-being around the world.
   
   The documentary Silent Healers: Nature’s Cure highlights South Korea’s pioneering leadership in advancing Forest Therapy through practice, research, policy, infrastructure, and public investment, while sharing personal stories that illuminate the profound relationship between forests and human well-being.

1. K-Traditional Wisdom Meets Forest Therapy — Reinterpreting the wisdom of ancestors who lived in harmony with nature into modern forest therapy.

   

   Hyunsoon Kim
   CEO, Korea Kikeun Namu. (Tall Tree)
   
   A field-centered Forest Therapy Expert with a Class 1 Instructor certification and five-plus years' experience, running forest welfare company Tall Tree across Daejeon and Chungnam. In 2025, awarded the Korea Forest Service Minister's Award and a Tourism Content Contest Encouragement Award.
   
   Program
   This program reinterprets traditional Korean breathwork, play, and sound as modern forest therapy. Participants open their minds with Yukjagyeol breathing, restore balance through traditional games like Jegichagi, awaken their senses walking to a Jukbi's rhythm, and close with the Haegeum's melody—transforming ancient wisdom into a new language of healing.

1. Integrative Physical-Cognitive Forest Healing Utilizing Forest Senses : Sarcopenia Prevention and Neuro-Recovery Program for Adults and Seniors

   

   Jin-Eui Kim
   Vice president and Team Manager, Korea Forest Healing Instructors Association
   
   A forest therapy and ecological education expert integrating therapeutic depth into forests' ecological value. Holds a Master's in Education and Alternative Medicine coursework, having studied Mind-Body Medicine and researched forest therapy programs applying Korean medicine aromatherapy.
   
   Program
   A 90-minute program boosting physical, emotional, and social health in adults and seniors, blending forest resources with strength exercise, cognicise, games, and meditation across a structured six-step workflow

1. Breathing in the Forest, Connecting through the Body: Awakening the Body with Forest Breath, Interacting and Connecting with Nature through Movement

   

   Mi Yu
   Instructor, Korea Kikeun namu
   
   A deep love for the forest led me to earn national certifications as a Forest Healing Instructor, Forest Commentator, and Early Childhood Forest Education Specialist, and to lead diverse ecological activities for nearly 20 years.
   
   Program
   To mark Sanggang, participants savor autumn with chrysanthemum tea and Taekkyeon-inspired stretching, then breathe deeply in the forest and practice "body shaking" to release tension. Moving with the body's flow anchors them in the present, and circle dancing closes the program, deepening bonds with nature.

1. The Forest: The Power of Connection

   

   Byeong ho Lee
   Forest Healing Instructor, Korea Iirang healing center
   
   For 36 years, I taught science and biology, exploring life's wonders in the classroom. As a Master Teacher mentoring junior educators, I learned the value of deep communication and empathy. Now I bring that vision to forest healing.
   
   Program
   Trees exchange nutrients and signals through an invisible mycorrhizal network; humans, too, heal through deep connection with nature, others, and the inner self. This program offers multi-sensory forest experiences—wooden-staff meditation, breath synchronized to the forest's rhythm, and mutual support activities like the butterfly hug—restoring connection between self, others, and nature.

Course 01 : Mireu Forest & Jincheon Charcoal Healing Center

1. 

   01. Nongdari Stone Bridge
   Thousand-Year Cultural Heritage
   
   Jincheon Nongdari is a representative cultural heritage bridge made by stacking red stones in a fish-scale pattern. After crossing the bridge, participants follow the landscape of Chopyeong Lake toward Mireu Forest. View More

   
   
   

   02. Red-Clay Barefoot Trail & Suspension Bridge
   Mireu Forest Wellness Trekking
   
   A nature-based wellness course following the lakeside scenery of Chopyeong Lake. Participants walk barefoot only on the red-clay trail, feeling the soft earth, forest sounds, scent, and breeze, and then walk across the suspension bridge to enjoy the open view of the lake. View More

   
   
   

   03. Jincheon Charcoal Healing Center
   Modern Kiln Sauna · Self-guided
   
   A self-guided healing experience where participants enjoy modern charcoal kiln sauna sessions, charcoal foot baths, and rest according to their own condition. In the gentle warmth of charcoal, participants relax the body, release daily tension, and may also take a short walk around the nearby waterside area. View More

   
   
   

Course 02 : Goesan Seongbulsan Natural Recreation Forest

1. 

   01. Eco Learning Center Experience
   
   Healing Therapy
   A relaxation program that combines a warm dry foot bath with fragrant flower tea or herbal tea, allowing participants to slow down and rest comfortably.
   
   My Own Woodcraft & Keepsake Making
   A hands-on woodcraft experience using natural wood. Participants decorate wooden items and use wood-burning techniques to engrave simple letters or drawings, creating a personal keepsake

   
   

   02. Forest Therapy Program
   
   Vitality Pole Exercise
   A gentle full-body exercise using a pole to move the neck, shoulders, back,
   
   Barefoot Forest Walking
   A sensory forest-walking activity that focuses on the feeling of soil and nature through the soles of the feet.
   
   Breath Healing & Singing Bowl Meditation
   A guided meditation that combines slow, deep breathing with the gentle resonance and vibration of singing bowls to support deep rest and emotional calm.

   
   

   03. Traditional Food & Barrier-Free Trail
   
   Traditional Food Experience
   Ddeokmechigi rice-cake pounding program: participants pound steamed glutinous rice, shape it, coat it with roasted soybean powder, and taste freshly made injeolmi.
   
   Barrier-Free Eco Park Trekking
   A gentle trekking course through the eco park and barrier-free forest trail, where participants enjoy seasonal scenery and the sound, scent, and breeze of the forest.

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