Conversation with Yaki Wo

"Congratulations on being bored! Boredom yields creativity."For Episode 9 of Season 1 - recorded in Nov 2025, Tomo welcomes Yaki Wo, a regenerative practitioner, forest therapy guide, and a mother of two. Born in Hong Kong and having lived in the UK and New Zealand, Yaki calls Perth home — at the time of recording. Drawing from her deep connection to the land and her work with the Future+ regenerative development program, Yaki explores how we can shift from a "problem-focused" existence to one rooted in "potential".The Three Rhythms​Slow: Yaki identifies a modern "time disease" where people feel guilty or irritable when they aren't being productive. She advocates for "ultra-slow walks" in nature—moving so slowly it feels like you are "kissing your feet to the earth"—to notice what we usually neglect at the speed of light. She also shares her personal ritual of learning the piano at age 40, finding joy in the simple, non-productive act of playing.​Flow: For Yaki, flow is a liminal space where you lose track of time, whether in nature or sitting in a circle with others. She introduces the vital concept of "riverbanks"—realizing that flow requires restraints and boundaries to exist, much like a river needs banks to keep from becoming a flood plain. Yaki and Tomo also discuss the art of leadership as being both on the "dance floor" and the "balcony" simultaneously.​Glow: Reclaiming the word from the luxury spa industry, Yaki defines Glow as the radiant expression of one’s Essence and Potential. Essence is that singular, spiritual quality we are born with, while Potential is the part of that essence being called forth by the "bigger whole" at this moment in evolution. She explains how the experience of Awe in nature helps dissolve the ego and negative self-narratives, allowing our true internal light to emerge. The Additional WordYaki’s chosen mantra to accompany the trilogy is Equanimity. She describes it as the "eye in the middle of the storm"—a state of steadiness, tranquility, and calmness that remains grounded even in the face of intense challenges and disturbances.Yaki's profile, in her own words (LinkedIn)I offer a glimpse of my past in this reality for reference, but hold it gently as you would with sand in your hands. Meet me with openness and fresh eyes, as I would to you.My human experience ranges from being a mother of two to being a non-profit organisational consultant, facilitator and enabler of deep transformations through dialogues, writing, and connection with and as nature.Places have shaped my becoming. Born in Hong Kong and having lived in Singapore, Canada and the UK, I have found a new sense of belonging in my second home - Aotearoa New Zealand. I have been deeply influenced by te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) both in my personal and professional life. After spending two years in Boorloo Perth, Western Australia, I have moved back to Hong Kong - full circle/ spiral?I am an ever-evolving regenerative practitioner and a certified nature and forest therapy guide. One of my key projects is the Future Positive (Future+) Leadership Programme, introducing regenerative development and design through deeply connecting with the self, others and nature, shifting understanding, sensing the land, identifying essence and potential, and supporting the emergence of reciprocal relationships. I am also the Asia Lead and Senior Fellow of Architecture 2030.Tomo Hamakawa. Social entrepreneur, accidental hotelier, regenerative facilitator, strategic advisor, father of 4 kids - living in Ubud, Bali.  ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Please share your comments, questions, and requests!⁠https://forms.gle/2UqGMwUw6BS66cGF7