Discovery Retreats
Taiwan, Fusen Purifying Ecological Wellness Village – November 2024
- November 18, 2024
- to
- November 20, 2024
- Registration Open
An opportunity to disconnect and relax and experience the magic of Forest Bathing.
The Discovery Forest Bathing Retreats are serene and immersive experiences designed to reconnect individuals with nature over the course of three days and two nights. Set in beautiful nature locations, these retreats offer participants the opportunity to engage in the Japanese practice of “shinrin-yoku” or forest bathing.
A 3 day in-person gathering, guests are guided by experienced certified Forest Bathing Guides and encouraged to slow down, and absorb the healing benefits of the natural environment. The retreats provide a restorative escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, promoting mental and physical wellness through the simple act of being present in nature and sharing with a like-minded group of people.
In this retreat, you will:
- Get a hands on experience of what you learned
- Get to know trainers personally
- Get to know other guides and connect
- Learn from shared experiences with other guides
- Deepen into the practice
- Get the opportunity to ask specific questions that might come up
Once you complete this four-day immersion, your certification will be moved from provisional to permanent. You have two years after you complete the six month core training course to complete an immersion. It will help to give you a sense of the community of guides that has grown and is active throughout the world.
About the Venue
Fusen Purifying Ecological Wellness Village
Fusen Purifying Ecological Wellness Village is located in Satoyama, in Yilan, a city in the northern part of Taiwan. It boasts rich natural resources and a high level of biodiversity. The village features a subtropical rainforest, various species of ferns, and several kinds of fruits along the circular trail. Visitors can also encounter streams and wildlife, including the Formosan Muntjac, butterflies, and birds. An open-air cafรฉ area is situated at the top of the village, offering a significant overlook of the ocean and offshore Turtle Island, which is also a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunrise.
Lodging
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ, ๐ก๐ง๐.
The equivalent that is provided in USD is an estimate only and based on current conversion rates at the time of publishing. Visit www.xe.com for the latest conversion rates.
Ensuite bathroom (complete with towels, bath gel, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer)
Room amenities for a serene stay (tea set and tea ware for tea appreciation, light reading materials)
In-room WiFi available
No TV and telephone
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Meals
๐ ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น & ๐ ๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ (๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ก๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ต ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐) : ๐ก๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ ($125), includes 2 lunch bento, 2 dinner buffet (choice of vegetarian or seafood) and other venue costs
Transportation
๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐๐ช๐๐กย
Nearest International Airport
International visitors should arrive in Taiwanย through the Taoyuan International Airport or the Taipei Songshan Airport.
๐๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง
Taiwan Railway
By local train: alight at Toucheng Station, transfer to taxi (15-20 min taxi ride)
By express train: alight at Guishan Station, transfer to taxi (15-20 min taxi ride)
Self-drive
1. Via Xueshan Tunnel: Towards Toucheng Interchange on National Highway No. 5, pass through Toucheng City, Wushi Port, and Genfang Bridge, then turn around and enter the archway, which is about 1 kilometer away.
2. Via Binhai Highway: First go to National Highway No.1 towards Keelung. After getting off the expressway at the Keelung Interchange, drive along the Binhai Highway (Province No. 2) towards Yilan, passing through Fulong, Dali, Daxi, Beiguan Haichao, At about 131.5 kilometers from Genfang, take the path next to Genfang Bridge and turn into the archway, which will take you about 1 kilometer away.
3. Beiyi Highway: From Xindian, connect to Beiyi Highway (Province No. 9) toward Jiaoxi, Yilan. After getting off Beiyi Highway, turn left toward Toucheng. You can connect to Binhai Highway (Province No. 2) and go to Genfang for 131.5 kilometers. Take the path next to Genfang Bridge and turn into the archway, which is about 1 kilometer away.
Schedule Details
Arrival
9am-11am: Check-in
11am Welcome and Orientation
Departure
16 November 2024
after 12.30pm
General Notes
Assisted by Juna Chang, Certified Forest Therapy Guide of ANFT based in Taiwan.
Venue Policy
No smoking.
No pets allowed.
No fire allowed.
Internet Access
Wifi is available
Refund Policy for Accommodations
14 days or more before the start of the retreat, you may request for a full refund of your accommodation.
Sustainable certifications:
Agritourism certification, Eco-friendly Lodging, Green restaurant certification
Additional activities:
Guests can join in the resortโs activities such as drum performances, guided nature tours, nature workshops etc. with additional fees.
Ride-sharing and accommodation-sharing options:
For anyone interested in ride-sharing, you will have the option to provide your travel details and contact information to connect with others who are registered for the immersion
Tuition
The tuition for the retreat is $395 (USD).
Retreat tuition does not include transportation, lodging or camping fees and food. These expenses are separate from the program costs for the three-day retreat and vary depending on the venue.
Tuition figures are subject to change.
Training Team
- 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.
- Amanda Yik
- Amandaโs deep connection with nature has supported her through lifeโs many challenges, including multiple career transitions and critical illness. She felt called to be of service to the earth in 2006, but it took her many years and a winding path before encountering Forest Therapy, a practice that deeply resonated with her calling. Having trained as part of Cohort 18, Amanda has been an ANFT Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide since 2017, when she founded Shinrin-Yoku Hong Kong, through which she has offered more than 200 forest therapy and nature connection experiences, on- and off-line, to support busy urbanites on bodyful and soulful journeys of homecoming through reconnecting with nature. Amanda is particularly called to support people in transition and those facing chronic stress, and she collaborates extensively with the corporate sector, environmental and conservation organizations, the social service sector and educational institutions. Amanda is honoured to be a mentor for guides-in-training, and the first Asia-based ANFT trainer. She is also an International Coach Federation Certified Professional Coach for Transformation and long-time yoga, mindfulness and tai chi practitioner.