Have you ever longed to be an explorer of an enchanted Kingdom of Canyons? Longed to be a guest in a legendary castle of red mesas, sitting beneath thrones of arches, towering rock guardians, and sunsets the color of the world’s blush? Sleep to the sounds of a dwindling fire amongst a shimmering firmament of stars? Feel the wild within you when the coyotes howl for the hunt?
Join us, and all of this and more awaits you.
Canyonlands National Park in southeast Utah is a true natural treasure beyond words, and we have the blessing of being able to guide others through her endless canyons, secret corridors, and underground portals to hidden jewels of nature.
We will transform into a small band of desert nomads carrying our lives on our backs, making fire from sticks and stones, cooking over that fire, setting up minimal shelter, gazing at stars, learning the subtle intimacy of the desert through wildlife tracking, plant identification, storytelling and romping around like kids in the playground that is Canyonlands. Depending on the season, we will either carry or search for that most precious jewel of the desert kingdom-water.
At LifeWays, we are not just explorers of the enchanted natural world, but of our enchanted inner worlds. Thus, as in all of our trips, there is a robust element of mindfulness and social-emotional skill building. In addition to roaming this vast desert scape, our band of nomads will practice yoga and meditation every morning, share councils every evening, and engage in individual and group practices designed to increase your personal resilience and capacity for life (hence, Life-Ways), and holistically cultivating the strongest, most authentic version of you.
If you want to awaken beneath wise canyons where the sun and moon are king and queen, then this is for you. If you want to learn to awaken the nobility of your heart and spirit while being a desert nomad living in some likeness to our ancestors, then this life is for you. If you love to play all day, then this trip is for you.
Features: What You’ll Walk Away With
These courses are a great way to integrate therapy or mentorship sessions into practice
You’ll learn the basic skills of wilderness survival from our experienced guides while learning to feel that our breath and body are of the earth, our wisest teacher.
- Learn the basics of bow-drilling–friction fire
- The basics of backpacking: shelter craft, packing and storing gear, layering appropriately, land navigation, and fundamental risk management skills to allow you to feel set up to backpack on your own.
- Improved self-awareness, regulation, and coping skills.
- Guided daily mindfulness practice
- Leadership opportunities and practice: commanding group space, leading hikes, making fire, and telling stories.
