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Reconnecting with Nature Exercise for Health, Fitness, and Longevity

In this interactive lecture-workshop, participants will explore the foundational concepts behind Nature Exercise: The Evolution of Personal Fitness and Activity, a groundbreaking approach by Eric Durak that redefines exercise through the lens of our natural environment. Blending evolutionary biology, exercise science, and holistic health, Nature Exercise encourages individuals to reconnect with the outdoors—not just for leisure, but as a deliberate path toward physical vitality, cognitive clarity, and emotional well-being.

Attendees will examine how our physiology is deeply attuned to movement in natural settings and how modern indoor fitness trends may overlook key dimensions of health. The session will include practical strategies for integrating nature-based movement into daily life and clinical practice, including walking meditations, terrain-based strength training, and sensory engagement. Ideal for fitness professionals, wellness coaches, and health educators, this workshop offers a fresh, evidence-informed perspective on restoring movement patterns that are as old as humanity itself.

Presenter: Eric Durak – Exercise Physiologist | Author | Nature Fitness Advocate. Eric Durak’s journey through fitness has come full circle—from a small-town upbringing in rural Michigan to the forefront of modern exercise science. Early on, he longed for something beyond the fields and forests, but decades later, with a career spanning over 30 years in clinical exercise physiology, research, and health education, he finds himself returning to those same natural spaces with renewed purpose. After years immersed in the data-driven world of performance metrics, wearable tech, and chronic disease management, Eric now champions a more intuitive, human-centered approach to movement—one that embraces nature, connection, and inner wisdom. As the creator of Nature Exercise: The Evolution of Personal Fitness and Activity, Eric merges scientific rigor with a deep reverence for the outdoors. His perspective is both rebellious and restorative: exercise should not only be effective but soulful. Whether walking barefoot on the beach, hiking mountain trails, or simply listening to the rhythm of one’s breath, he believes fitness can—and should—be a practice that heals rather than harms, that reconnects rather than isolates. Today, Eric leads a growing movement to redefine fitness through evolutionary principles, environmental engagement, and a commitment to community, presence, and longevity.

Registration: This event is FREE but you must register to secure a space. Thank you.

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The Healing Art of Acupuncture: Gentle Support for Aging Well