Makiko is a Forest Therapy Guide and Therapist, based in Yakushima/Japan, where the first nature and forest medical research activities were conducted in the world. She is the first Japanese trained guide by ANFT and also certified by Forest Therapy Society in Japan. Since she moved to Yakushima in October 2020, she has been guiding over 500 people in her Kaleidoscope “deep shinrin-yoku” program.

Prior to becoming the guide, for 20 years she has been involved in various international projects with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and other UN organizations, focusing on improving the health status of the vulnerable people especially in Africa and Southeast Asia regions.

In addition to being a guide, she is currently delegated to be ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) global advisor for the School Board in Yakushima, giving lectures for teachers and pupils. She is also the Board member of Yakushima Onoaida clinic run by her husband who is engaged in forest medical research activities.

She holds B.A. in international law from Kansai University in Japan, M.A. in Public Health (international health) from Johns Hopkins University, and M.A. in Economic and Social Development from University of Pittsburgh in USA.

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La profunda conexión de Amanda con la naturaleza la ha apoyado a través de los muchos desafíos de la vida, incluidas múltiples transiciones profesionales y enfermedades críticas. Se sintió llamada a estar al servicio de la tierra en el 2006, pero le tomó muchos años y un camino sinuoso antes de encontrar la Terapia de Bosque, una práctica que resonaba profundamente con su llamado. Habiéndose formado como parte del Cohorte 18, Amanda ha sido una Guía Certificada de Terapia de Bosque y Naturaleza por laANFT desde 2017, cuando fundó Shinrin-Yoku Hong Kong, a través de la cual ha ofrecido más de 200 terapias de bosque y experiencias de conexión con la naturaleza, en persona y en línea para apoyar a los urbanitas ocupados a vivir viajes llenos de vida de regreso a casa a través de la reconexión con la naturaleza. Amanda está particularmente llamada a apoyar a las personas en transición y a las que enfrentan estrés crónico, y colabora extensamente con el sector empresarial, organizaciones ambientales y de conservación, el sector de servicios sociales e instituciones educativas. Amanda se siente honrada de ser mentora de guías en formación y la primera formadora de ANFT con sede en Asia. También es coach profesional certificada por la Federación Internacional de Coaches para la Transformación y practicante de yoga, mindfulness y taichi desde hace mucho tiempo.

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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.

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There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask 'what if I fall?' Oh my darling 'what if you fly?'  - Erin Hanson

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