Runners: Reconnect with Your Inner Health & Wellbeing
September 13–16, 2024
Meditation & Mindfulness, On Land Retreats, Yoga, Wellness & Embodied Living
Why Meditation and Yoga for Runners?
You are a runner — congratulations! — one of the many who have discovered the joy of moving your body. A consistent running, walking and/or hiking schedule takes a chunk of your time each week, and you might ask (as so many of us have), “I already am working out. Why do I need meditation?”
You will find the potentially life-transforming answers at this weekend retreat, which brings together Western athleticism and Eastern contemplative practices. Think of it as the Buddha runs the Boston Marathon.
Meditation and yoga complement the well-documented benefits of consistent aerobic movement. Combining these activities can stabilize the mind and body and synthesize the insights that arise in mind, body or both. Whether you are an experienced runner or just beginning to consistently move your body as a walker, hiker or jogger, you’ll find that meditation and yoga will support your journey in many ways.
There are sound evolutionary reasons why running and the interest in mindfulness and how to live a healthy lifestyle continues to grow in popularity; running has become the exercise of choice for reducing stress, bringing us greater perspective and connecting us directly to the wisdom of the body. The practices of meditation and yoga offer similar benefits, helping us cultivate stillness and non-judgmental awareness of the mind’s activities.
Join us for an extraordinary weekend of exploration, as we run and walk together on beautiful mountain trails and discover a deeper experience of peace through meditation and yoga. The program will include meditation instruction and practice, yoga specifically for runners, group discussion and contemplative group runs. Experienced teachers of the three disciplines will lead us on this delightful journey.
This year, you will learn the newest information about neuroplasticity — how to literally ‘rewire’ your brain — and how running and exercise produce hundreds of different molecules called myokines, hormones that affect all your body’s organs. One example? Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), produced by the large muscles in our legs when we walk, hike or run. You will also learn the best ways to stimulate neurogenesis (the production of new neurons, or neural cells), and the most efficient ways to combat the sarcopenia (muscle loss) which takes place in all of us as we age, no matter how fit and fast we were as youngsters.
Running is optional and not a prerequisite to participate in this joyful weekend. All are welcome.
See these articles by presenter Michael Sandrock:
- What Does Meditation Have to Do with Running?
- Wisdom from Running and Meditation: Four Tips for Living Your Happiest
What People Say
“I keep coming back to the Running with the Mind retreat — three times thus far! — because every time I discover another new skill to bring contemplation and attentiveness to my running, and to use the joy of moving my body to deepen my meditation practice. Marty, Rock, and Lara all bring extensive knowledge and deep wisdom that helped me fine tune my ability to be fully present in the outdoors and to improve my running technique so that I can stay on the trails for years to come. The other attendees also bring fresh perspectives and a sense of shared joy that shape each retreat in a unique way and results in an amazing retreat experience. I’ve done many great running retreats over the years, but the time spent at the Running with the Mind ones is unlike any other and I look forward to returning yet again soon.” – Anastasia
“Because of you, I really am a runner. Jake and I did the Colorado Marathon 10k this morning. I ran a 9.55/mile passing a lot of “runners”. Not only did I finish but I truly enjoyed myself…the whole time. I sort of have an itch to do a longer race now. Argh. I see how this can be addicting. I just wanted to thank you all for your support and encouragement at our retreat. It has meant so much to me and I won’t forget our experience. PS: I don’t hate running anymore.” — Leah
Photos by Marty Kibiloski from prior programs (formerly Running with the Mind of Meditation)
Please review and understand DMC’s current COVID-19 policy at this link.
Retreat Faculty
Lara Johnson
Dr. Lara Johnson is a nerve and spine specialist Physical Therapist with a background in Exercise Physiology. As owner of Yellow Brick Physical Therapy in Boulder, CO, she helps people stay active, healthy, and mobile without unnecessary medications, surgeries, or injections. As a lifelong runner and proactive health advocate, she combines her knowledge of neuromuscular body mechanics with meditation, yoga, […]
Michael Sandrock
Michael Sandrock is an award-winning journalist and author of Running with the Legends and Running Tough. He began running as a teenager in the forest preserves outside Chicago and went on to compete for the University of Colorado. He now studies comparative mythology, running, yoga, and meditation.