Wild Hearts & WildFlowers:

A weekend YogADVENTURE in the foothills of the sierra nevada

Immerse yourself in the 2023 superbloom in the foothills of Sequoia National Park, the southern Sierra Nevada, while taking time for yourself in sacred wilderness space and belonging to an intentional community. 

With the lengthening days, this is the perfect opportunity to shake off what’s left of your own inner winter and invite yourself to step forward and bloom… inviting the sun into your heart as you gaze upon the hillsides painted with golden poppies and purple lupines.

Explore your relationship with your true self and with the earth, as we take time for reflection with carefully created prompts. Deepen your study of the world around us, and feel attuned and vibrantly alive in your physical body.

Join us for an unforgettable journey, reclaiming your power and rediscovering your inner tranquility. 

What to expect

This weekend trip is for you if you are a beginner to intermediate backpacker looking for a short spring adventure to shake off the winter and open your heart, become more proficient and prepared in the wilderness, and rediscover wonder in the world. We will sleep under the stars, and bear witness to the elements that surround us.

Focusing on the Be Here Now mindset, we will hike up the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, observing and learning about the native wildflowers as we go. There will be opportunities for you to express yourself through the practice of art or nature journaling, writing, and/or photography. We will take sacred space in yoga and meditation practice to reconnect with mama earth and ignite our hearts and intentions with the sprouting seeds within.

Participants will carry their own backpacks weighing 25-35 pounds with distances of 4-6 miles over established trails which can be rocky, require climbing over downed trees, and involve stream crossings. Poison oak is known in the area.  

Dates

April 21-23, 2023

Itinerary

Friday, April 21: Meet at Buckeye Campground at 10am. We will spend some time creating our group container with introductions, going over general guidelines, and making sure everyone’s gear is ready to go. We will begin hiking after lunch, going about 4-6 miles to Panther or Mehrten Creek.

Saturday, April 22: EARTH DAY! Day trip up the Middle Fork. After a morning that begins in sacred sadhana, with yoga, meditation, and a hearty breakfast, we will hike upstream as far as our wild hearts feel like going - with just our daypacks carrying lunch, a journal+pen/art supplies, water, and other small necessities. There will be pauses to observe, reflect, sketch, write, practice nature gazing, and absorb the vast and incredible landscape.

Sunday, April 23rd: Hike out. This day will begin with a morning sadhana, building on our practice from the previous day. We should arrive to the trailhead by around 2pm, and complete our time together with a closing circle.

What’s included

• Packing and Technical Gear Suggestions and Suppert

• Navigational Guidance

• Backcountry Skills

• All associated fees and permits

• Daily Wellness Practices including: Yoga, Ayurveda, Meditation, Pranayama, Mantra

• Sangha conversations including: Rewriting our Stories, and Living in a State of Empathy and Love

• Nature Journaling + Plant Identification

• Accompanying themed readings

• Shared digital album of visual memories

• First Aid kit + Wilderness-trained guides

• Emergency Satellite and Radio Communication

• Ayurvedic Backcountry Food Preparation: Live or Recording from Zoom

Not Included

• Food: Bring your favorite food to make your own meals  (or check out our add-on option below!)

• Gear: Gear list provided

• Transportation to trailhead

• Personal Insurance 

• Optional guide gratuities

• Personal navigation device (optional)

• Personal maps (optional)

Investment

• Total trip cost is $300

• Early bird gifts if you sign up and place your deposit by March 10

  • one item of your choice from my shop valued at up to $20 / $20 off a higher ticket item

  • post retreat 1-1 consultation with Alysia

Deposit of $100 due upon confirmation of acceptance. Remainder of funds will be due in 14 days (flexible payment options may be available upon request)

Optional add ons

Food Preparation Package

Intimidated by backcountry food preparation? We will be sharing a great demo and suggestions on our Zoom class, but if you are crunched for time or uncomfortable putting something together, we have got you covered.

QUESTIONS?

Check out my FAQ page or contact me!

Your Guides

NATALIE

Natalie Pyrooz (WFR, RYT-500, MEnvSt) is a yogini, artist, and botanist who guides people through integrated yoga and nature-based experiences to find a deeper level of connection and belonging, inner peace, and self-love. For years she worked seasonally in the backcountry and across a wide scope of landscapes throughout the west and internationally as a botanist and biologist, using her off-season to deep-dive into living yoga, exploring the world, working the land, and giving back. After deeply experiencing the raw and healing power of nature during extended periods of repeated immersion in wilderness, and the transformative power of yoga in body, mind, and spirit, she is following her dharma path to create opportunities for others to heal and grow. She shares her personal practice in her teaching, bringing together movement, philosophy, breathwork, mantra, tratak, and guided meditation.