Everyday Thrills

By: Lucinda Caldwell

By KAVU

April 4^th, 2023

What happens when you give athletes mindfulness tools?

Teach yoga to kids?

Encourage people to add a little bit of crazy into their day - like jump into cold water or meditate in public?

Everyday Thrills

We were so happy to hold a workshop called “Everyday Thrills” at Golden Gardens Beach in Seattle, for middle and high school girls.

Here’s a story about why we held the event and how it went:

The day was a living-form of KAVU’s mission:

1) Build fun into everything that you do.

2) Spread your good-time attitude, and....

3) Capture that limitless feeling that comes from adventuring outside while connecting with people along the way.

We wanted to embody this formula for living happy and healthy in a 2.5 hour workshop. At the end of our time together, we gave the kids a 'Nature Pledge'.... to promise to continue seeking everyday adventures in their own life.

I've led both adult and kid workshops, and think adults could take a page out of the kid's book. It's so inspiring to see the kid's brave ability to show up to these spaces with a much more open and daring attitude than most, if not all adults.

After all, when was the last time you showed up to a new space without the fear of failure, or feeling like it had to be a productive thing in your life?

The kids embraced learning new meditation techniques, danced through yoga poses, and fearlessly sprinted into the 48 degree Puget Sound salt water!

I led the event with two close friends: Hilary Bowen O’Dougherty and Holly Drown. We all grew up playing Division 1 lacrosse in college. While we met on the lacrosse field, we all share a passion for mindfulness, yoga, nature, and spreading light through teaching, coaching and working with kids and adults to expand their own passions.

As post-collegiate-athletes, we feel adamant about offering kids what we wish we had at their age.

Hilary Bowen O’Dougherty played on the US Lacrosse team, has coached Ireland's National team, and was that kid on the field who excelled the second she picked up lacrosse in 7th grade. During her collegiate and post-grad career, she was on posters that youth lacrosse players posted on their walls for inspiration toward who they wanted to "be like" when they grew up. Basically.... an idol.

Holly Drown played at UMass and still holds college records. She was that kid who runs like lightning, and is like a vacuum for any 50/50 ball. These days, she wins half marathons and people at the climbing gym comment on her skill..... even though she just picked it up.

In short: they are some badass female athletes who inspire me everyday.

As athletes, we know the importance of dedication, commitment, and showing up in the after-hours to make dreams become reality. When you are committing a lot of time and effort into doing big things, it’s important to have other outlets to make it all sustainable, and of course, to enjoy the ride. It’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself, to have expectations, and to get lost in the drive required and resulting end game. And, it's all too common to get used to putting yourself through uncomfortable training while being too hard on yourself.

So, guess what comes next: meditation; yoga; nature; community!

Whether you are training for a sport, or simply wanting to be the best version of yourself, we think that these simple things can be answers toward feeling fulfilled in those spaces.

We are Soooo excited to have offered this workshop for kids, and cannot wait to offer additional camps for kids, and workshops for adults, this summer!