10 Years of
IM-WALD-SEIN®: Shinrin Yoku Premium Special 2027
IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy | Exclusive Anniversary Program
2027 Travel Highlight: Forest Bathing, Shinrin Yoku and Forest Therapy in Croatia
Our IM-WALD-SEIN® story began in the forests of Croatia in 2017. Ten years later, we are returning – for three exceptional days of immersive nature experiences and exclusively curated travel moments that bring together community, health and enjoyment. We immerse ourselves in the restorative atmosphere of Croatia’s forests, experience Shinrin Yoku and Forest Therapy, and revisit selected elements of our 2017 IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment in the light of what we have learned over the past ten years. With this exclusive anniversary program, a new chapter begins – perhaps even a new book.
We invite curious people with a spirit of discovery. What happens when we spend several days immersed in and connected with the forest? We explore possible changes in mood, physical well-being and selected biomarkers, while personal experiences are documented through questionnaires and selected assessments.
Become part of our story and experience IM-WALD-SEIN® – the natural answer to psychological stress and lifestyle-related diseases.
The Story Behind the Shinrin Yoku Premium Special
Behind our Shinrin Yoku Premium Special 2027 lies the story of IM-WALD-SEIN®. It began in Croatia in 2017 with scientific curiosity, twelve people and one intriguing question: could the health-related effects of Forest Bathing not only be studied scientifically, but also experienced firsthand on an inspiring journey?
Shinrin Yoku and Forest Medicine: The Scientific Starting Point
Can spending time in the forest actually lead to measurable changes in our emotional well-being or even our immune system?
Between 2004 and 2009, Japanese studies led by Dr. Qing Li, immunologist and researcher at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, attracted international attention with remarkable findings. The researchers observed that spending time in the forest in the form of Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing – can influence important cells of our innate immune system, the so-called natural killer cells (NK cells).
Dr. Li’s research focused on two possible mechanisms through which forest environments may affect human health: the relaxing qualities of the forest environment itself and bioactive plant compounds – known as phytoncides or terpenes – present in the forest air.
The idea that spending several days in the forest might not only influence our mood but also affect the activity of our immune system was fascinating. At the same time, a very practical question arose: Are such effects only measurable under scientific study conditions – or can ordinary people experience them for themselves on a real forest journey?
Our 2017 Forest Bathing Experiment in Croatia: From Research to Real-Life Experience
This fascination led to the IM-WALD-SEIN® Forest Bathing Experiment in 2017. Following intensive preparation and scientific consultation – including support from the Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research at LMU Munich – an experiment inspired by the studies of Dr. Qing Li was developed. At its heart was an exciting research question: Would a short vacation inspired by the studies of Prof. Dr. Qing Li, including three days in the forest with a heterogeneous group of twelve people, lead to a measurable increase in NK-cell activity and an improvement in psychological state and physical well-being?
In September 2017, twelve very different people traveled to the Croatian mountain region and spent three full days in a variety of forests, following a specially developed IM-WALD-SEIN® program. NK-cell activity was examined in the laboratory before and after the journey, while accompanying questionnaires recorded changes in mood and physical well-being.
Yet from the outset, this scientifically inspired experiment was about far more than collecting data and figures. It became an extraordinary journey into the forest – and, at the same time, towards oneself. The
twelve participants experienced their own personal form of Shinrin Yoku: nature experiences, mindful perception, sound, hammocks, movement, landscapes, community and enjoyment.
Results of Our Forest Bathing Experiment: NK Cells, Mood and Well-Being
Things became particularly exciting after our return: what would the evaluations actually reveal? The findings supported more than the participants’ subjective impressions. The NK-cell function tests showed a significant increase in baseline NK-cell activity, and the ability of the NK cells to become activated also increased significantly. At the same time, mood and physical well-being improved – with effects still noticeable after the actual stay in the forest.
But our Forest Bathing Experiment achieved something else as well: it changed the way we looked at the forest. We began to see it as a place that invites us in – a place for well-being and health, waiting to be rediscovered and experienced in all its richness.
IM-WALD-SEIN®: Taking Care of Your Health with Joy and Enjoyment
One insight from our experiment has stayed with us ever since: taking care of your health can be enjoyable. In the forest, there is no need to rack up kilometers, achieve personal bests, go jogging or hiking, or follow a training plan. IM-WALD-SEIN® means consciously experiencing the forest: perceiving, breathing, discovering, finding stillness, moving when it feels good – and leaving room for community, enjoyment and those small, surprising moments that cannot be planned.
This is precisely the understanding of Forest Bathing, Shinrin Yoku and preventive health that we are taking back to Croatia in 2027. Ten years after our first Forest Bathing Experiment, we want to experience, observe and discover once again what happens when twelve people spend several immersive days in and with the forest – this time informed by the knowledge and experience of an entire decade.
The Shinrin Yoku Premium Special 2027 returns to the roots of IM-WALD-SEIN® and carries the story forward: scientifically curious, deeply connected with nature, shared with others – and full of joy and enjoyment. One insight from our experiment still stays with us today:
Preventive healthcare should be enjoyable.
Rediscover the Story Behind IM-WALD-SEIN®
The 2017 Forest Bathing Experiment became a central part of Dr. Melanie H. Adamek’s nonfiction book
IM-WALD-SEIN. Die natürliche Antwort auf Psychostress und Zivilisationskrankheiten. Entdeckung eines Präventionskonzepts.
The book tells the story of how scientific curiosity led to a real-world experiment in Croatia, what the participants experienced, what the results revealed and how these insights contributed to the development of a practical, forest- and nature-based approach to health-prevention.
Why Is This Travel Experience Special?
These three days in Croatia bring together unspoiled nature, scientific grounding, intensive personal experience and expert guidance in an exceptional anniversary program. You will experience your own IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment through Shinrin Yoku, Forest Therapy, community and enjoyment. Questionnaires and selected measurements allow you to observe and reflect on possible changes; if you wish, additional health parameters and biomarkers may also be included. A personal evaluation will help you recognize what has changed and what insights you can take away for your own health, everyday life and – if you work professionally with people – your own practice.
Experience Your Own IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment
Discover firsthand what three intensive days in the forest may mean for you. Selected elements of the 2017 experiment are revisited and developed further, drawing on ten years of knowledge and experience gained through IM-WALD-SEIN®.
- Make Your Personal Forest Effect Visible
Questionnaires and selected measurements accompany your personal experience. Additional health parameters and biomarkers may be included on a voluntary basis. The subsequent evaluation helps you identify possible changes and consider what they may mean for your own approach to preventive health.
- Immerse Yourself in Unspoiled Nature
The forests and landscapes around Fužine become an experiential space in their own right. Tranquility, water, open landscapes and the distinctive atmosphere of Croatia’s mountain region create ideal conditions for experiencing a deep connection with nature.
- Understand the Science Through Personal Experience
Insights from Shinrin Yoku, Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy are presented in an accessible way and directly connected with your own experiences. This creates a personal understanding of the health-related effects and mechanisms associated with forest environments.
- Personal Guidance
Two qualified and experienced instructors accompany you throughout the three days, offering expert input, practical experience and time for personal questions, reflection and exchange.
- Take Practical Insights into Everyday Life
You will take home practical ideas for consciously using forests and nature for regeneration, well-being and preventive health in your everyday life.
- Gain New Inspiration for Professional Practice
If you work as a physician, therapist, alternative practitioner, coach or professional in prevention and health promotion, you will experience methods and principles firsthand and gain new perspectives for your professional work with people.
- Experience Community in a Small Group
With a maximum of twelve participants, the small-group setting creates space for personal exchange, shared discoveries, conversations and memorable experiences.
- Document Your Experience with a Certificate of Participation
After completing the program, you will receive a Certificate of Participation from the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy documenting the Shinrin Yoku Premium Special 2027 in Croatia, the program content and the number of training hours.
- Become Part of the IM-WALD-SEIN® Story 2027
The anniversary program will be documented through photography, video and selected reflections, allowing the experiences of 2027 to become part of the continuing IM-WALD-SEIN® story and possible future publications.
Interested in one of the twelve places? We look forward to hearing from you and will provide you personally with information about the process, participation requirements and next steps.
All Details at a Glance
Target Audience
This program is designed for curious people with a spirit of discovery and an interest in Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), Forest Medicine, Forest Therapy, nature and health – and especially for physicians, therapists, alternative practitioners, coaches and professionals in prevention and health promotion who would like to gain personal experience and new inspiration for their professional practice. No prior knowledge is required. Program Language: German.
Dates and Location
June 11 to 13, 2027 | Friday morning to Sunday evening.
Fužine, Croatia, and selected forest and nature areas in Croatia’s mountain region.
Group Size
6 to 12 participants
Instructors
Dr. Melanie H. Adamek
|
Sabine Oberg
Registration Deadline
March 31, 2027.
To allow for careful preparation and personal planning, please register by this date.
Any remaining places will be allocated in the order inquiries are received.
Participation fee and conditions
€1,190 including VAT per person.
The participation fee includes the complete three-day Shinrin Yoku Premium Special, instruction by two qualified course leaders, all professional and practical program elements, accompanying questionnaires and evaluations, practical materials, the organization of shared meals, and a Certificate of Participation from the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy.
The participation fee does not include travel to and from Fužine, accommodation, food and beverages, or personal expenses. The same applies to any optional additional laboratory tests and biomarker analyses. Consent to photography and video recording, as well as to the use of this material for communication and publications, is an essential condition of participation. Personal health data and laboratory results are handled separately and require individual consent. The program generally takes place in all weather conditions; in the event of severe weather or force majeure, we reserve the right to reschedule the event or refund the participation fee. Participation is at your own risk. Our
Terms and Conditions
also apply.
Further Useful Information
- Traveling to Fužine: Individual travel by car is recommended. Fužine is conveniently located near the Zagreb–Rijeka highway. As the program includes visits to different nature locations, traveling by car is useful; private car-sharing arrangements can easily be made within the group. Plan Your Journey.
- Accommodation: In and around Fužine, you will find hotels, guesthouses, apartments, vacation homes and private rooms in a range of categories. You are free to choose and book your accommodation directly with the respective provider according to your personal preferences. The official Tourist Information provides an overview of accommodation options.
- Fužine and the Surrounding Area: Fužine lies at around 730 meters above sea level in Gorski Kotar, surrounded by lakes, mountains and coniferous forests, yet within easy reach of well-known destinations on Croatia’s Adriatic coast. View Fužine and the Surrounding Area on Google Maps.
- Combine Forest and Sea: Fužine is only around half an hour from the Kvarner coast. If you would like to enjoy the Premium Special primarily as a nature, learning and travel experience, you can easily extend your stay with a few days by the sea – on the coast itself or on well-known Kvarner islands such as Krk, Cres or Rab. If you choose to take part in the voluntary immunological comparison measurements, you should return home for the scheduled follow-up measurement; in that case, extending your trip immediately afterwards is not recommended.
Voices from Our IM-WALD-SEIN® Forest Bathing Experiment 2017
Why did I take part?
I had never spent a vacation in a forest, or a vacation where the forest was the main focus. Forest Bathing was new to me as well, and I was very curious.
How did I like it?
It was a lovely trip. I enjoyed being a guest in nature, experiencing new things and having nice people around me. A little warmer and it would have been even better.
Could I imagine the effects on my immune system?
We all know that exercise in fresh air is part of a health-conscious lifestyle. I am more skeptical about whether inhaling terpenes during a rather contemplative stay in the forest can actually produce such rapid and lasting effects on the immune system. For me, it is the combination of physical activity and mentally switching off that has a positive effect on the immune system.
Will I integrate forest bathing into my daily life?
I can certainly imagine doing so. I really enjoyed the activities in the forest setting and found them relaxing. Meditation, Tai Chi or Qigong would surely be particularly well suited to such a natural environment.
Dr. med. Didona Weippert
Participant in the IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment 2017
Why did I take part?
I wanted to experience what it feels like to take a proper break in the forest and see what you can actually do there. I had never tried anything like that before.
How did I like it?
I simply found nature deeply moving. Alongside the fresh air and wonderful forest atmosphere, I especially enjoyed meeting nice people. I had almost forgotten what that feels like – I still carry many beautiful images in my mind.
Could I imagine the effects on my immune system?
No question. I simply know that fresh air does you good, and the forest is a source of fresh air. I don’t need science to tell me that.
My results?
I was surprised to have such good immune values, and they clearly improved. More important to me, though, was the huge improvement on the mood scale, and my physical well-being improved enormously as well. I hadn’t felt so comfortable in my own skin for a long time. The effect has stayed with me.
Richard Obermaier
Participant in the IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment 2017
Why did I take part?
Our idea of trying something new and discovering new sides of ourselves appeared almost out of nowhere. I liked it. Above all, I wanted us to have fun as a family, and especially for children I think it is important to experience that having fun and being health-conscious are not mutually exclusive.
How did I like it?
Any time – I’d happily do it again.
Could I imagine the effects on my immune system?
I could easily imagine that spending time in the forest might have a positive effect on the immune system. But would it work that quickly for me? I had my doubts. I was amazed that time in the forest could lead so quickly to a measurable increase in physical well-being.
My results?
My immune values improved. The activity of my killer cells increased by almost 20 percent, and their capacity for activation increased by 26 percent. Psychologically, I especially remember the first evening in the forest: I was pleasantly tired and completely relaxed.
Simone Raus
Participant in the IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment 2017
How much time do I usually spend in the forest?
I’d estimate that, over the course of a year, we spend about three hours in the forest once a month. I’ve also taken a forest vacation before, which I really enjoyed.
How did I like it?
Very much. There were some very powerful experiences. My only concern is what forest tourism could and should look like so that it is meaningful and also takes ecological considerations into account.
Could I imagine the effects on my immune system?
Yes, very much so. I can also quite easily imagine the specific effect on NK cells.
My results?
My NK cells already showed good levels of activity and activation capacity beforehand. I see it as a success that both values were still around 15 percent higher more than a week after the Forest Bathing vacation. According to the questionnaire, not much changed for me because overall everything was already in balance.
Gabriel Weber
Participant in the IM-WALD-SEIN® Experiment 2017