Friluftsliv Retreat Recap: an “open-air life” dream!
We arrived to Camp du Nord in Ely, MN on Thursday afternoon. Giddy at the forecast; “SNOW IS COMING THIS WEEKEND OH. MY. GOSH. FINALLY!!!!”
Our team huddled at Morning Glory to prep for the incoming retreaters. Thank you Theresa Bilben, Nora Woodworth, Ashley Shelton, Elizabeth Sorenson, and Alison Olson Cox for creating a memorable Friluftsliv weekend for everyone. You are so appreciated!
The conditions were wintry when we arrived, but only a little dusting of snow. We anticipated the impending snowstorm with glee, because we were there with the intention to go “full on winter mode”.
The theme for our retreat was Friluftsliv, which “is translated to “open-air life, free-air life, and fresh-air life”. The concept of Friluftsliv is “embracing nature and enjoying the outdoors as a way of life, a possibility of recreation, rejuvenation, and restoring balance among living thing.” - Linda Akeson McGurk
The concepts and quotes from our weekend came from a wonderful little book by Linda Akeson McGurk, titled: The Open Air Life. Highly recommend this read for simple steps to incorporating more “everyday slow nature” into your life!
We kicked off our retreat weekend with our traditional opening circle and, you guess it…. YOGA! Follow that up with dinner at the Camp du Nord dining hall (YUM), and my friends… we were off to a great introductory night.
“In essence, traditional friluftsliv is less a set of activities and more of a culturally learned rhythm that revolves around being outside and experiencing oneness with both nature and the cultural landscape. Just like there is slow food, slow parenting, and slow entertainment, friluftsliv is a form of slow nature. It’s about embracing simplicity, resisting consumerism, and living in a way that is sustainable to both ourselves and the planet. It’s the kind of life that transcends generations and connects us deeply with the land that sustains us. And it is in every respect a rich life.” - Linda Akeson McGurk
In the morning, folks had several options: morning meditation, morning winter wonder walk, and morning yoga.
One of our unique options at this retreat was to admire nature with my good friend Nora. She has so many fun nature facts in that brain of hers. AND she delivers it out in a fun and exciting way. For example, her love and excitement over mouse tunnels will suddenly make you realize you’ve never appreciated mouse tunnels in the snow before in your life, and WOW, NOW YOU DO, AND WOW COOL LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE MOUSE TUNNELS IN THE SNOW?!?!?!?!
Why Morning Walks Matter More
“When it comes to human biology, any walk is better than no walk at all. But to get the most bang for your walking buck, the morning walk is where it’s at, especially in northern latitudes, where daylight is scarce in the wintertime.” - Linda Akeson McGurk
“Friluftsliv is based on physical activity outdoors, but unlike competitive sports it’s not just for the young and physically strong. On the contrary, it’s a practice that can bring joy and health through all seasons of life.” - Linda Akeson McGurk
Later in the morning we enjoyed brunch at the dining hall. Meals at Camp du Nord are a bit of an event you see. And it’s the perfect recipe for retreaters looking to fully embrace Friluftsliv. The dining hall serves up DELICIOUS food, and yet… it’s one mile away from our sweet and cozy accommodations and yoga space.
But you know what these retreaters did? They full-on embraced the open air life and hiked their way to the dining hall much of the time. Sometimes folks drove too. But we always had a healthy number of people, rosy-cheeked, trudging into the dining hall with smiles on their faces, talking about their exhilarating travels to meals. Sometimes it was accompanied with, “oh yeah, we got a little turned around out there but we made it”, and, “I saw so many mouse tunnels in the snow!” (that was Nora)...and this was typically followed with laughs and a great story to tell.
Once we got THE SNOW, we also had folks cross country skiing, and walking the lake to get to the dining hall.
Later in the evening on Friday, we had two options of yoga sessions, dinner, and then the option to enjoy a soothing sound bath with Elizabeth or hit the sauna + ice hole cold plunge.
Nora combined environmental education nature knowledge + yoga to deliver classes on owls and snowshoe hares. They were a “hoot!” (pun intended). People were laughing, making owl hoots, pretending to be snowshoe hares, and more. Everyone left with way more knowledge than they entered with. And a lot of fun follow-up questions.
Elizabeth Sorensen, Yoga Haus MN, sent people into a trance! Beautiful gongs, crystal sound bowls, sweet little chimes, ocean drum and all. I’m always surprised at how intimidating and powerful the gongs look, yet how gentle and soothing they sound.
The sauna + cold plunge at Camp du Nord is top notch. If you’re into authentic Avantoutinti “ice hole swimming”, you really gotta try this out.
The wood-fire sauna is BIG and close to the lake. So much fun for a group setting of encouragement, adrenaline, and deep relaxation. Du Nord cuts a hole in the ice, equipped with a ladder, a christmas tree, twinkling lights, and ice sculpture art to entice you in. Why not?!
Avantouinti - Ice Hole Swimming
“Being immersed in cold water triggers the production of a noradrenaline, which in turn makes us more resilient to stress. Cold swimming can improve your mood, memory, and general well-being, while decreasing tension and fatigue. “ - Linda Akenson Mcgurk
“In addition to being a great mood booster, cold baths can enhance your memory and energy levels and increase circulation, while reducing fatigue, pain, and inflammation from conditions like rheumatism, fibromyalgia, and asthma. “ - Linda Akenson Mcgurk
The next day we did it all again, but with similar and differing options. THIS TIME WITH SNOW!!! Many of us hit the cross country skiing, and the sledding. Both brought joyful smiles and rosy cheeks.
All day long, we were treated to the most beautiful snowfall. It just kept coming. Whether you were outside, or inside, it was a pure treat. Inside the yoga space, the giant windows were breathtaking as we watch the snow gently fall through the trees.
In the morning, Ashley led meditators in a session about “the serenity of snow”.
“For a completely different sound experience in the winter landscape, make a point to go outside when it snows. If the world seems a bit quieter than normal, there’s a scientific reason for that. Snow is porous and absorbs sound - and it does it well.”
One time I walked out of my cabin to hear hysterical laughter. Grown women on a sledding hill having the time of their lives is nearly as much fun for the observer.
In the afternoon, both Theresa & Elizabeth taught a class with props. By Saturday everyone was fully embracing physical activity and ready for a slow and restorative class with bolsters.
On our last morning, we embraced a final yoga session & closing circle before brunch and departures.
After the final yoga class, someone next to me remarked, “every single song during a yoga class somehow hits so much better while this beautiful snow continues to fall outside the windows.” Agreed. Agreed.
Thank you all so much for fully embracing friluftsliv, slow nature, and the open air life with us the first weekend in January! Wow, how could the start to the brand-new year possibly be better?!
Frilufstliv is “a way to nurture a personal relationship with nature through direct experiences. It can be as simple as an evening walk around the neighborhood or as advanced as a multi day backpacking expedition in the remote wilderness, or anything in between. “ - Linda Akenson Mcgurk
If you’d like to embrace nature more frequently, a fun activity is to join Nora’s seasonal nature scavenger hunt! Check it out at: Happy Dancing Turtle or Happy Dancing Turtle - Driftless.
Thank you Alison Olson Cox for providing wonderful Thai Yoga Body appointments over the weekend. A delightful addition to a weekend of self-care, relaxation, and adventure.
Thank you Sarah Miller, Whispering Willow Photography for your stunning photography and capture of our weekend together!
Thank you to all our Friluftsliv retreaters! You truly made the weekend sweeter.
