We view running as so much more than simple exercise. Running and movement can be the catalyst for joy, connection and transformation. In the right spaces, running can be a place to bring about connection between like-minded individuals and help to foster and propel our own goals and those of our communities. We believe that running with our whole selves, through our mind, body, heart, and spirit (what we call holistic running), is the best way to make these connections, accomplish the goals we set for ourselves, and live life to the fullest. Running can also be a space to learn new things, whether that be about the world, about movement, about our fellow community members, or even about ourselves
We enliven our running, moving, living, and being together in this earth by holding 8 core values as our community commitments and committing to these personally and collectively.
If these resonate with you, The NliveN Movement is calling!
1. Follow Love and Justice for People and Planet.We are committed to caring and striving for social and planetary justice with and for all identities and beings,
and we are mindful of the ways that fitness and wellness cultures and industries have been spaces that replicate injustice, oppression, and harm.
We believe that community, running, movement, and wellbeing are our birthright that should be available to all.
2. Cultivate Intentional Community.Community is more than just a buzzword, and we don’t take for granted that it just “happens.” For us, community means mutual,
self-giving care and reciprocity, thriving in a diversity in which all members have value and voice, and articulating clear boundaries that keep us safe and aligned with what we’re about.
To this end, we have regular practices that we do each time we gather that are designed to cultivate community in order to connect to one another,
to create meaningful running and enlivenment together, and to celebrate one another.
3.Nourish Inclusive Belonging.When we say “belonging,” we mean that your whole authentic self is not just welcome but wanted, needed, and celebrated here!
We are passionate about creating access and affirmation for all identities, races, economic classes, genders, orientations, abilities, ages, nationalities,
religious/spiritual/secular identities, bodies, and life or family status. This also means that we do not tolerate bigotry, hate,
or offensive and threatening behavior and are committed to abolishing this wherever it occurs, including in ourselves.
We are proud and passionate advocates of body peace and health at every size, we celebrate all paces and all movement styles, and we oppose diet culture, body shaming, and fatphobia.
We call each other in when we make mistakes, while prioritizing the wellbeing of those closest to the harm,
so that we can continue to grow and learn how to create the most vibrant and radical movements of love, joy, and belonging together.
4. Show Up Authentically.We don’t just run with our bodies - we run with our minds, hearts, spirits, communities, identities, and histories.
And so we believe in engaging all of these aspects of who we are as we run. You don’t have to leave integral parts of yourself and your story at the door in order to fit in.
We believe in doing life together through all the highs and lows, and that means we show up as we are, on the good days and the rougher days,
without denying any part of the full experience of what it means to be human in this life. And we run through it all! Come as you are; we honor the courage it takes to get here,
to show up.
5. Move Courageously.We encourage each other to choose the movement that feels most courageous and right for each of us on any given day without feeling as though we have to conform to what is courageous for someone else.
Courage may look like resting or being more playful, slowing down or gaining speed, trying new things or returning to something, challenging our limits or accepting our limitations.
We invite and celebrate all forms of movement - running, walking, wheeling, etc. - and all forms of courage!
6. Create Your Own Adventure.This is a space of invitation, not expectation or obligation! So we do our best to provide options, choices, variations,
and prompts that meet you where you are - and then we trust you to choose which ones connect with you and create the meaning and adventure out of the experience that you want and need.
Your coaches are here to guide, encourage, and provide a container or structure for each run and gathering; you’re the creator of your own unique brand of magic, meaning,
and brilliant adventure!
7. Reclaim Connection.In a society of paces and pressures that disconnect us from ourselves, from others, and from our earth,
we believe that running can be a powerful way to reclaim the mind-body-heart-spirit connection, to forge life-giving relationships with like-minded people,
and to rediscover and deepen our relationship with our beautiful planet. We intentionally practice this by paying attention to lessons from nature as guides for each workout,
by creating opportunities to make our world a bit better through service and partnership events with cool causes, and by inviting playful and meaningful ways to connect with yourself,
your movement partners, and the earth in each run.
8. Embrace Messiness.We embrace the messiness that comes with courageously trying new things,
and we expect stumbling and mistakes to happen because this is the sacred process by which we learn! Progress isn’t linear, and perfection isn’t powerful - but presence and process are.
So we encourage each other to stay present to the process of living, running, and creating with wild courageous, authenticity, joy, and compassion.
We value questions and curiosity, and we love messiness, because we’re made of stardust, and we can’t help but shine!