Pathways to Wellness
Fitness Initiative
Urban Native Collective’s Fitness Program aims to promote physical health, cultural connection, and leadership empowerment within the Indigenous community. By combining the physical challenges & tailored fitness activities, this program offers a unique opportunity for Indigenous individuals to improve their overall well-being.
Goals= health + connection + leadership
jOIN US
Urban Native Collective’s Climbing and Fitness program strives to create a supportive and inclusive environment where participants can build relationships, share experiences, and support each other’s growth. By fostering this community, we extend beyond promoting physical health to addressing the social and emotional well-being of our people. Join us in strengthening our community through health, connection, and leadership.
-
As Indigenous Peoples, we are the grandchildren of survivors—our ancestors embodied mighty strength, courage, daunting intelligence, physical prowess, and profound spiritual strength. With this rich legacy, a key objective of our program is to address the health disparities prevalent within Indigenous communities, such as higher rates of chronic diseases and limited access to fitness resources. We are committed to offering a culturally relevant and inclusive fitness approach, aimed at improving physical fitness levels, enhancing self-confidence, and boosting overall resilience across our communities. This initiative not only honors our heritage but also builds on the physical and spiritual fortitude of our ancestors.
-
The Urban Native Collective Climbing and Fitness Program deeply values the cultural connection and preservation of our heritage. By weaving Indigenous knowledge, stories, and traditions into our activities, we provide participants with the opportunity to reconnect with their roots and fortify their cultural pride. This essential link between physical fitness and cultural identity is crucial in fostering a sense of belonging and well-being within the Indigenous community.
-
We, as Indigenous communities, are leading the way in rock climbing, health, and fitness, fostering the preservation and revitalization of our cultures. By recognizing and honoring our traditions, practices, and knowledge within these activities, we ensure that these vital cultural elements are actively maintained and passed down to future generations. Through our leadership in these fields, we reinforce our cultural pride and identity, enhancing the connection between physical fitness and cultural heritage—an essential component in strengthening our communities’ overall health and resilience.
Programs & classes
Indoor Rock Climbing
We work in partnership with Climb Cincy to provide the Indigenous community of Cincinnati with a space to climb, exercise, and build community. This program allows climbing for nearly 30 individuals, therefore providing access to a community based sport that is deeply rooted in connection to the land, as well as access to an exercise space which includes free weights, yoga and pilates equipment, treadmills, and stationary bicycles.
Hiking and Walking
Our hiking program invites the Indigenous community of Cincinnati to reconnect with the natural world through guided trail experiences. This program emphasizes relational movement, allowing participants to engage directly with the natural world while fostering deep social connection. These hikes are designed for all skill levels, providing a supportive environment where community members can improve cardiovascular health, share ancestral knowledge, and find collective healing in the fresh air.
Restorative Yoga
This class offers a dedicated space for stillness, nervous system regulation, and deep internal reflection. These sessions provide the Indigenous community with a culturally safer space to release stored tension and practice mindfulness, honoring the importance of balance and recovery in our wellness journeys. By slowing down together, participants can cultivate a sense of peace that strengthens their overall resilience and deepens their connection to self and community.
COMING SOON Kayaking and Canoeing
This program invites the Indigenous community to return to the water, reclaiming our relationship with this primary life giver. By engaging with local waterways, participants honor traditional lifeways that have long relied on rivers for travel, sustenance, and spiritual ceremony. This initiative provides the tools to navigate our local ecosystems, transforming the act of paddling into a practice of ancestral remembrance and collective synchronization.
Our Fitness Initiative seeks to welcome and uplift Natives in these specialized athletic spaces, amplify Indigenous representation in sports, as well as provide the Indigenous community with the fun physical activities that are necessary to build healthy bodies and communities in the urban environment of Cincinnati.
How to register:
Email cate@urbannativecollective.org
Other Resources
Indigenous Field guide
The Indigenous Field Guide (IFG) is a centralized guide for individuals and organizations. IFG provides public education to prevent the damage of nonrenewable cultural resources, address access concerns for public and private lands, and create an online platform to amplify and integrate Indigenous worries regarding cultural land resources. The IFG will connect individuals and organizations with Indigenous guides, underrepresented communities, and advisors who are able to help ethically navigate outdoor spaces.