How to Prepare For Bowspring in Sedona

Welcome to Sedona, Arizona! The elevation here is 4,300–4,500 feet and the environment is in the high desert. Climate conditions tend to be dry with vibrant sunshine with temperature fluctuations between morning, mid-day, and evening.

Below, you will find supportive ways to help you prepare your body, mind, and spirit for this experience!

What to Expect

Aligned & Alive is an invitation to step out of the usual rhythms and responsibilities of daily life and into a few days of intentional movement, nature, rest, connection, exploration, and soulful nourishment.

Our time together will weave together Bowspring practices, immersive adventures within the exquisite Sedona landscape, and deep rest. We cannot wait to share meaningful conversations, build community, and simply be with you!

We are passionate about making Bowspring accessible to different bodies and levels of experience. Practice sessions will vary in intensity. Some will be energizing and expansive, inviting you to explore your strength, mobility, balance, and inner fire. While other practices will be slower, to focus on restoration an give your body and nervous system space to soften, integrate, and receive. Throughout our practices, we will explore the thoughtful use of props, variations, and modifications to meet you wherever you are. Just stay curious and you'll be amazed to discover what is be possible.

We will also take our practice beyond the mat and into the beauty of Sedona! Our experiences in nature will offer opportunities to walk, breathe, move, and broaden our perspectives. Enjoy connecting with the land and allow the natural environment to become part of your practice.

There will be opportunities to connect as a community, to play, laugh, share, reflect, and contribute to meaningful conversations. There will also be space for quiet, personal reflection, and rest. Everything we offer is an invitation.

Throughout Aligned & Alive, we encourage you to listen to your body. Please rest when you need to. Choose a variation. Use a prop. Sit something out. Challenge yourself when that feels supportive. There is nothing to prove and nowhere you need to be. Part of becoming more aligned is learning to recognize how your body is communicating with you, and how to develop greater trust in your ability to respond.

You do not need to arrive more flexible, more fit, more rested, or to have anything figured out. Come as you are. Bring your curiosity and your willingness to explore. Bring your whole self.

Our hope is that you leave Sedona feeling more connected to your body, spaciousness in your mind, and nourished by nature and community. We are so excited to witness you reconnect to your strength, your beauty, and your aliveness... because it is living within you!

Move. Rest. Explore. Connect. Feel Aligned & Alive.

Love, Paris and Katie

What to Pack

Sedona’s desert climate can shift quite a bit throughout the day, with warm or hot afternoons and much cooler mornings and evenings. Please pack with comfort, movement, and time outdoors in mind. Here are a few essentials we recommend bringing:

Comfortable movement clothes: Choose breathable, flexible clothing for Bowspring practice and other movement sessions.
Layers: Lightweight layers will help you adjust as temperatures change throughout the day.
Light rain jacket or windbreaker: Desert weather can shift quickly, so it is helpful to have an extra layer of protection.
Broken-in walking or hiking shoes: Supportive footwear is important for exploring Sedona’s rocky, uneven terrain.
Crew socks or higher: Taller socks can help protect your ankles from dry dust, small seeds, and low desert brush while hiking.
Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, and anything else you need for extended time outdoors.
Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated will be essential throughout the retreat.
Electrolytes: If they are appropriate for you, electrolytes can provide additional hydration support.
Small daypack: A lightweight backpack is helpful for carrying water, layers, and personal items during excursions.
Swimsuit: Bring one if you would like to enjoy the hot tub during your free time.
Casual wear: Something comfortable to wear during meals, group gatherings, or time in town.
Journal and pen: Bring something for personal reflection, notes, and any writing practices we explore together.
Lip balm and moisturizer: Sedona’s dry air can be surprisingly dehydrating.
Personal toiletries: Please bring your preferred skincare, hygiene, and other daily essentials.
Phone charger: A portable charger may also be helpful during longer outings.
Personal medications and supports: Bring any medications or other personal items you need to feel comfortable and supported.

Preparing the Body

In the weeks leading up to Aligned & Alive, we invite you to spend a little intentional time moving your body each day so that you arrive with a gentle relationship to your body. This doesn't need to be intense. Walk, practice Bowspring, breathe, mobilize your joints, and spend time outside when you can. Our intention isn't for you to “get in shape” for the retreat, but to begin listening to and connecting with your body before you arrive.

Preparing the Mind &Nervous System

If possible, give yourself a little more space in the days before you arrive. Retreat doesn't have to begin the moment you reach Sedona. You can begin creating space now.

Perhaps consider reflecting on some questions to mentally prepare before the retreat:

What am I ready to create more space for?
Where in my life am I longing to feel more aligned?
What helps me feel most alive?
Is there anything I am willing to set down, even temporarily, on this journey?