Moving Mindfulness

AN EXPLORATION OF EMBODIED HEALTH

Yoga Therapy meets Backpacking in remote Wilderness

Last year in early October, Hanuman, Julz, Toby, and our dog, Arrow, set out to scout this remote route through Cathedral Pass in the remote Pasayten Wildnerness. 45.5 miles was the total mileage, with the addition of a 4 mile spur to an alpine lake… (yes, we also are ultra-runners and lovers of a good adventure.)

What we experienced on this wild journey, was a pristine wilderness accompanied by an intact ecosystem of mammals, birds, and plant life. The larches shone with the fiery yellow of a late summer glow. The lakes shimmered with the reflections of an overcast sky. To our north, the mountains of Canada sang their longing. The rock slabs in the high alpine called us to stay longer and stretch our tired legs on their sun-baked bodies.

We felt this place calling us to return, to bring people here to experience the magic for themselves, and to find a deep resonance within.

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Meet Hanuman

Hanuman began practicing Yoga at 14 and has been continuously learning on his mat ever since. Drawing on almost 15 years of personal practice in various schools of yoga and meditation, Hanuman teaches from a place of personal experience.

He strongly believes that a teacher is a student first and can only take others where they themselves have been.

Hanuman’s primary purpose is to serve the students in his class and his community through these teachings, he believes that doing this can make a positive difference in ourselves and by extension our communities.

He uses his experiences in Athletics to inform his classes by sequencing to support you in your “off the mat” endeavors, both strengthening what is needed and balancing what is underused, he is passionate about creating classes that support you in all aspects of your life.

Hanuman learned the value of practice from yoga and applies that lesson to his life off the mat. He can be found practicing his violin, learning various Martial arts, Climbing rocks both real and artificial, singing at the top of lungs and anything else fun. Forever a student, he is continuously seeking knowledge in healing arts and movement coaching.

Our vision for this trip is to infuse an intro to backpacking course with yoga therapy, for a truly embodied exploration of health and self-care.

“Having been a student of yoga for over 6 years, I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Hanuman last year while he was teaching weekly classes in Bellingham. As an avid outdoorswoman, pursuing a winter full of backcountry skiing, and a summer filled with alpine climbing, ultra-running, and mountaineering, I rely on my yoga practice to keep me healthy and ready for the next adventure. Hanuman has a way of ‘listening’ to what others’ bodies are needing. He has a unique style that fuses an ancient practice into one that meets you in the here and now. There is no other yoga instructor I would recommend with higher praises than Hanuman. He is truly a human who practices what he preaches, and his passion for learning and helping others is felt. Whenever I am in one of Hanuman’s yoga classes, I am reminded to be gentle with myself, to not judge others or my own progress, to be where I am, and to love where I am. I am so excited to bring this energy into the wildnerness, and see what kind of transformation is possible!” - Julie Ann Holder, yoga student

DATES: October 9th - 14th, 2023 (Monday thru Saturday)

  • Location: Pasayten Wildnerness, Cathedral Pass loop

  • Cost: (Includes Leave No Trace Awareness Course Certificate)

    • $2000 (In Collaboration with the American Alpine Institute.)

    • No scholarships available through Grounding Truth. Scholarships may be available through the American Alpine Institute or other sources.

  • Facilitated by: Hanuman hudson & Julie Ann Holder

  • Mode of travel: Yoga Therapy & Backpacking with intention and presence

LOGISTICS:

Getting here:

The nearest airport is SeaTAC and airports near Winthrop, WA (Wenatchee, Twisp, Okanogan). You can get to Winthrop by car from SeaTAC in 4.5 hours, or from Bellingham in 4 hours. We will be meeting in Winthrop and caravanning to the Chewuch River trailhead just north of town.

Prior to the retreat, we will be sending out communication with all participants and if you are traveling from out of state, you may be able to find a ride, or share the cost of renting a car with someone else on the program. As a program, the guides cannot drive you to the trailhead. However, carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Travel Plans:

Please do not book a flight for the last day of the course. We do our best to get you out of the field and back to the trailhead with plenty of daylight to arrive at your next accomodation, but things happen, and having an evening of buffer time will make you much happier out on the trail. In addition, sometimes everyone decides to go out and share a meal as a course closing, and it’s nice to have some flexibility for this sort of thing.

For other FAQ’s, like equipment, expectations, rental gear, and culture of the course, please view the FAQ page linked below.