An overview of the value of the Earthgym practice to support a positive relationship with Nature by providing a solution for Nature Deficit and Earth Amnesia
7. ‘”I was thrilled to see so many kids (many who do not
typically participate in activities), off their phones,
outside, and skipping barefoot across the field...
…everything we did on Monday promoted the students’
self-esteem, self-awareness, and appreciation of the
beauty around them. I’d like to see …an ongoing model.
Thank you!”
Mace Edwards Gratz
Teacher Port Angeles High School
April 2015
Three seasons of “The Legend of Mick Dodge” has hit a nerve, as “Forest Gump heads for Middle Earth”. Fans 5 to 85 from all political , ethic and social groups are finding something to love, question or react to in this Nat Geo Reality Show.
Mick’s walk is to give out a calling from Master OG (Old Growth). He considers himself a “Habbit” learning from the Habitats of three terrains: the “Sitty” (urban lands), the “Open Fenced Land” and the “Gated Wild.
Identify the messages Mick stands for:
Follow your feet the earth will teach
Remember, Recover, Re-story
Primal Practical Passion
Grow Wood…Flow Water
Training with the Earth
Habbit of Wisdom
Sole Purpose
RUN (R/Are U/You N/In)
Mick Dodges’ walk, humor interaction with forest and earth-based fitness practice unfolds primal memory of our connection to natural habitat.
The human spirit is inseparable from the natural world.
Eco-theologian Thomas Berry, “A degraded habitat will produce degraded humans.” The concept of an “ecological unconscious” has emerged at the crossroads of science, philosophy and theology. This is the idea that all of nature is connected in ways that we do not fully understand.
Habit is formed in Habitat. Our planet has 3 habitats/terrains: “Sitty”(the urban terrain), Open Fenced Lands (just outside sitty) and the “Gated Wild” (our ‘wild lands’ are owned, gated and/or patrolled –there is no free land). When we do leave the Sitty/Urban habitat for a more open terrain…when we return, we bring something back with us that would benefit from a practice that keeps that earth wisdom alive and in balance with our urban activities – the middle ground
Earth Amnesia
What’s the problem?
Depression, sadness, stress, meaninglessness, obesity, stuck in physical habits and movement patterns formed in conformity.mental, emotional, physical health and environmental issues related to life out of balance
PROOF/REFERENCE
John Ratey MD scientific data demonstrates correlation between exercise and brain function: www.johnratey.com/files/NIRSA 2014-1.pdf
In January, 2013, the Harvard Business Review: ‘Sitting is the Smoking of Our Generation’, by Nilofer Merchant, a former founder and CEO of Rubicon. “As we work, we sit more than we do anything else.” Add in the time we sit at home, and we’re averaging over 9 hours of sit time every day.
Mick and the Earthgym practice influenced Franks Exuberant Animal program. Frank included Mick and the Earthgym in his latest book. Mick and Jacquie both endorsed Franks work and Jacquie included the book in her college classes.
Mick has also trained with the MovNat founder when he came to America to meet Mick and other outdoor trainers.
The Earthgym has a different but complimentary approach, so while these may look like competitors, we feel the need for earth-based training is so great we need as many styles as possible.
Mick speaking at Port Angeles High School to Mace-Edward Gratz ‘Special Needs’/Behavioral-Challenged Class
Earthgym Class
Jacquie taught an accredited class for 3 years at Sierra Nevada College, guiding students in cultivating a connection with the earth along with learning to craft their own footwear, clothing and bags.
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2011, 2012, 2013)
Tree training
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010, 2011, 2012)
Tree training
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010, 2011, 2012)
Stick training
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010-2012)
Assembling the Round House
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010 - 2012)
Assembling the Round House
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010-2012)
Assembling the Round House
Gathering Pouch and Footnote book
(made by students in the Earthgym class)
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym/Primal Design students (2010-2012)
Creating their own sheepskin vest
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym/Primal Design students (2010-2012)
Drilling holes in antler buttons for their sheepskin vest
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010-2012)
Rock and strap training
Sierra Nevada College, Incline VillageEarthgym students (2010-2012)
Stick training
As the co-creator of the Earthgym training program, Mick engages people where ever he goes and can hold the attention and interest or any size audience. His presentations inspire the heart and sole to quest for what is wild and free, while drawing interest to learn, explore and move.
Potential sponsor:
Northface’s new campaign – this land is your land along with their sustainability programs inspire stewardship, making them a possible sponsor for the show
Local ‘EARTH BAR’ (like a Sports Bar, but focused on the Earth)
You watch Mick’s TV show in a local business (Tunnel Creek Café) that practices sustainability, join a live conversation via Skype with Mick asking questions about the show you just saw and then create something from the show at the crafting table, set up and guided by Jacquie, who created (and co-created most of) Mick’s wardrobe
Jacquie and her SNC students wearing sheepskin vests they made in her class
Mick has decades of content on training, living as a nomad, the Art of Dodging and children's story that unleashes ones “NOME” Readers journey to middle earth where; Grinlins, Gobblins, Grumpins, Defeeters and Trolls challenge, serve or derail your balance, and Sensays like; Sticker, Stoner, Weaver and 3-Toes guide you to shape up your “Habbit” to better harmonize with your wild, compassionate, serving elf.
Books, movies, games, sharing that engage to teach and inspire
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Mick Dodge – Barefoot Sensay, Earthgym Guide/Artisan, Orator, Poet
Jacquie Chandler – Primal Designer, Geotourism Consultant, Story Coach
Norman Claussen – Archer, Olympic Archery Trainer
Rachel Flower – Messenger Mentor, trainer, earthgym guide, business coach
Carolyn Brown – Earth Body training, retreats, teacher, marketer
Earthgym Resource Team (Clan)
Huckleberry – Songwriter, Permaculture Expert and Plant Guide
SunRay Kelly – Natural Builder, teacher
Pat Neal – Hoh River Guide, Author
Karen Fletcher- Qigong teacher, Earthgym guide, Chinese medicine practitioner
Kevin Sullivan – Professional Wrestler, Coach
Ben Sanford – Earthgym Trainer, Teacher
Will of Stone – Earthgym fitness trainer
Meredith Solberg – PR Marketing