Yoga, Meditation, Hiking, Camping, Backpacking
August 8-14, 2021
Cost: $900

What Will We do?
Liz and I are thrilled to offer this amazing annual Olympic National Park adventure for the third time. Our first two trips in 2018 and 2019 were amazing, so much beauty! Trip includes meals, hiking, meditations (walking and sitting), forest bathing (soak up prana from the rainforest), beach yoga, river yoga, yoga in a studio (in Pt Angeles), camping, swimming and community. We will visit some of the most beautiful beaches, forests and mountains in the world.

What is Forest Bathing?
This is the healing way of soaking up the rainforest prana, chi or life force energy. In Japan it is called Shinrin-yoku Forest Therapy, the medicine of simply being in the forest. Shinrin-yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care in Japanese medicine. But of course, it is not limited to Japan, as we have some of the most amazing ancient old growth rainforests in the world.

Why Olympic National Park?
Quite honestly, the Olympic National Park is my (Roy) favorite place on Earth. I am not exaggerating. I have had a passion for the Olympics since the first time I visited. I have travelled and backpacked all over the world, but there is something about the Olympics, with its old growth rainforests, stunning beaches, alpine meadows, majestic mountains, river valleys and amazing wildlife that stirs my soul. So, we decided to combine the inner with the outer, the hiking with the meditation, the forest bathing and the yoga, the community with the solitude, and it will be awesome.

Cost & What is Included
$900 for the 6 night, 7 day trip. Includes five nights camping, one night at the beautiful Quinault River Inn, 12 healthy, love-cooked meals (to your dietary needs), camp cooks and fuel, guided yoga and meditation, Sol Duc hot springs entry, and all park passes and permits. Extra costs:  optional 3 meals out, gas and ferry costs (shared).

Please note: Each member of the group must be willing and able to carry your own backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad, and personal needs. In addition, each person will be asked to carry about 3 pounds of comunity gear (food, fuel, filter, etc.). We will have a ZOOM video call to discuss all details regarding gear and what to bring.

Note: Due to the special aspects of this trip, we will only take about 10 people, so please do not delay signing up

Is there a Theme?
We will weave a theme of “Returning to our True Nature”. Many of us strive and struggle through life, rather than follow the guidance of our heart and soul. We will use meditations and discussion and quotes to highlight the goal of following our own truth and wisdom.

What else is there to know about this trip?
Liz and Roy have visited the Olympics for the last twenty years, and know some of the best places to visit, many of which are well known, some lesser known. See below for the itinerary. We will include car camping, back country (forest and beach) camping, yoga (in studio and beach), meditation walks, some meals (camp cooking). We will soak in the Sol Duc natural healing pools, and visit the Sol Duc waterfall. We will drive up to the amazing Hurricane Ridge for a stunning view of the Olympics and Mt. Olympus. We will visit one of the world’s biggest Cedar and Spruce trees. We will also eat out at some classic places: Lake Quinault Lodge, Kalaloch Inn and the Crescent Lodge.

Side-note on Alcohol, Car pooling, Gear sharing:
To maintain a sacred and safe space, we ask that we refrain from alcohol at camps, but you are welcome to consume alcohol in moderation when we dine out (there will be 3 meals eaten out). This way we keep the camp space clear for meditation and deeper connection. We have found that this balance works for maintaining a yogic environment and the holding of intention for healing, awakening and breaking habitual patterns. As far as car pooling, we will work this out. We ask that no one drive solo, as this complicates things for everyone, with parking, etc. We are happy to discuss details on gear, how to pack your pack, etc.

What to Bring:
We will discuss this in detail later, but some things to keep in mind: Two nights will be short backpack trips. Although relatively short and easy–about two-three miles one way each–everyone should have access to the proper gear (we can guide you what to bring, buy or borrow). You will need a backpack, sleeping bag, tent (you can share with someone), sleeping foam or blow up pad, hiking boots or shoes or even good sandals. You will not need to bring a stove, fuel, water filter, or first aid kit.

Reviews:
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out until sundown: for going out, I found, was really going in.” -John Muir
“What a fun week with good people.  Thank you to you and Liz for sharing such a beautiful place.” -Suzie, Seattle, who attended August 2018 trip
“Glorious intoxication of the soul is the reward of all who seek it in the bosom of Nature.” -Kahil Gibran

About the instructor: Roy Holman & Liz Gross

Roy Holman: I am a 500 hour Certified Yoga teacher, in the Viniyoga tradition. I teach a safe, gentle, body-friendly, grounded, breath-connected, meditative, flowing traditional hatha yoga – a meditation in motion really. I like to move slow, give time to breathe deeply and savor the poses. I also teach breath-work (pranayama) and meditation, and also try to incorporate the many aspects of emotional healing and balancing I have learned. The meditation is a mindfulness style, with focus on breath awareness, heart opening, body senses, emotional clearing, and connection on all levels (body, breath, emotions, Earth, Spirit).

Liz Gross: “I believe all healing involves alignment of the soul with the body.” Liz is a gifted sound and vibration healer, and teaches with Roy on retreats. Liz teaches yoga, meditation, Oneness and often does some of the cooking on our retreats. “When you’re consciously in touch with the life energy within yourself, you have awareness & communication with the flow of energy that connects you to spirit. I feel very passionate about Vibrational Medicine and love working with others in this way & helping others to connect with their purpose and passion in life. Vibrational Energy Medicine brings the physical, emotional, mental, & spiritual bodies back into balance, which opens the way for rebuilding the healing systems of the body.”