Sanford Yoga is taking Rolfing outdoors! Join Mike, our resident Rolfer, on a hike through the woods and learn a little bit about movement and relating your body to your surroundings. This guided moving meditation will help you strengthen inner balance within your nervous system while allowing full outward expression of your most authentic self. Studies have shown that time in nature is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. (See article on Ecopsycology here)

As we process trauma in our bodies and minds, it is also important to process how we relate to the world around us. Taking Movement Work to the outdoors allows us to expand our perceptions outward past the walls of indoor spaces while maintaining a sense of safety and curiosity to explore your body's innate healing.

Some of the concepts we will discuss will be seeing with focal vs peripheral vision and awareness, forest witnessing, and walking with varying intentions. This is a great time to pick Mike's brain about Rolfing and how our mind/body/spirit connections work.

This hike will happen rain or shine along with all the forest animals and bugs present. We will meet near the visitor center at Raven Rock State Park Visitors Center, 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC 25746. Hike will be approximately 4.8 miles along the Campbell Creek and Lanier Falls Trails and will take about 4 hours. Please dress accordingly, bring some water and snacks and any other additional items you may need outdoors such as sunscreen or bug spray. Feel free to bring a journal to capture the essence of your experiences.