Leader and designer of the Man Park Project (MPP) workshop

Let's talk: Dr. Chris

Throughout my adult life I have been leading groups in an eclectic variety of activities such as environmental education, river rafting, backpacking / camping, aikido, mental health therapy, meditation, and more. Further, I have a deep interest in philosophy, psychology, spirituality, and the arts.  I have now distilled my experience and explorations into the MMP and I would like to share this with you.

The Man Park Project

Inject some wellness into your Winter. The weather is mild and the pumpkin spice is flowing. Let's get outside, socialize, learn something new, and have some fun exploring the Bay Area - together.

The Man Park Project will take place in the most awe-inspiring environments the Bay Area has to offer. This workshop series is an opportunity to get out of our caves, meet other guys, make some new contacts, maybe even friends, and learn / practice some new skills to help reduce stress and increase well-being while trying out some new activities.

We will meet 6 times (with 1 gap week, 3/5). Each meeting will have 4 parts: an existential theme such as trust; a warm-up activity such as Wim Hof breathing; an interactive practice such as the hot seat; and a main activity such as a hike. The workshop will begin when we have the requisite number of participants onboard. 

Año Nuevo hike: trust

Pescadero, CA

Pinnicles: conflict / connection

Pinnacles National Park, CA

Castle Rock: integrity & values

Saratoga, CA

Monte Bello: purpose

near Palo Alto, CA

Point Lobos: compassion/empathy

Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Cascal's Restaurant: gratitude

Mountain View, CA

The Deets

• Each meeting up to 4 hours, not including drive time
• $80 per meeting, $480 total
• Payment upfront with a commitment to attend all session, no refunds
• 2 vax required with show of proof
• Guideline of no political conversations
• We will make a pledge of confidentiality among group members

For a good laugh check out the inspiration for this workshop series (click on this sentence): SNL Man Park Skit

Meeting 1: Sunday TBD, Anyo Nuevo State Park, Pescadero, CA

Theme:  trust Warm-up / wellness tool: circles, stretching, & movement
Exercise: Step into the circle & blind fold walk
Activity: 5-mile hike We will start at the Cascade Creek Trailhead at Ano Nuevo State Park. This 5.5 mile loop is a little know gem with a gorgeous raw seascape. We will hike along the bluff to the halfway point where there are sand dunes and a viewing platform. Most of the hike back will be on the beach adorned with rugged rock structures in the water and along the cliff line. As your host I will identify some of the local fauna and flora. We are likely to see pelicans, cormorants, and seals, oh my! On this hike there are a few steep steps down to the beach and we will scramble across some cobble to cross a small stream (you might get your feet wet), and then climb up a dune or two, but this is mostly a flat easy to moderate hike.
The Plan: Meet at 11am – 3ish Parking: Parking is free; look for my yellow Mustang 2001
What to Bring: Water/electrolytes;  Snacks; A head Cover/Sunblock; Sunglasses;  Sturdy hiking footwear; Layered clothing (possible windiness & temperature variations);  Camera

Meeting 2: Sunday TBD, Pinnacles National Park, California 95043 (location may change depending on temperature)

Theme:  conflict & connection
Warm-up / wellness tool:  paired breathing with muscle tension & release
Exercise:  aikido fundamentals on harmonizing conflict
Activity: 3-mile hike Gargantuan rock structures, cave passages, and condors circling above; this hike is awe inspiring! Earth, water, air, fire (well at least heat and ancient volcanic upheaval) - the cardinal elements speak loudly here. No better place exists to experience the foundations of Nature and to feel them in your bones. We will enter the park at the East Entrance and meet at the Moses Spring Parking Area and do the loop down to the Bear Gulch Reservoir. We do some more hiking along the Condor Gulch trail (doubling back) depending on the temperature. This hike will be short due to the arid environment. Additionally, we will be practicing some of the fundamentals of aikido, aka, the art of harmony (nothing complicated) paired with verbal exercises so that we can discover our default modes of social conflict and a path to reconciling conflict and establishing connection.
The Plan:  Meet at 11am – 3ish Parking: $30 vehicle entrance fee; Non-commercial Groups - Per Person - $15.00
What to Bring:  Lots of Water/electrolytes Snacks A head Cover/Sunblock Sunglasses Sturdy hiking footwear Trekking poles Layered clothing (likely temperature variations) Camera

Meeting 3: Sunday TBD, Castle Rock State Park, Saratoga, CA

Theme: integrity & values
Warm-up / wellness tool: sensory meditation
Exercise: poetry writing
Activity: 5-mile double loop hike with the best vistas in the Bay Area as well as several mind-blowing geological formations. The hike is fairly technical with scrambling up rocks in a few spots. There are several micro-environments ranging from a small stream to shady groves of huge cedars to exposed arid chaparral.
The Plan: 10:30am – 2ish: Meet at the Caste Rock State Park Parking lot.
Parking: $8 day use/parking fee (bring cash, exact amount)
What to Bring:  pen/pencil & notebook (paper), water/snacks, a head cover/sunblock, sunglasses,  sturdy hiking footwear, layered clothing,  camera

Meeting 4: Sunday TBD, Monte Bello, near Palo Alto, CA

Theme: purpose
Warm-up / wellness tool: 7 direction breath.
Exercise: archetypes
Activity: 5 mile hike to the top of Black Mtn. with incredible scenic views.
The Plan: Meet at 10am – 2ish.
Parking: $6 / vehicle.
What to Bring: water/snacks;  head cover, sunblock, sunglasses, sturdy hiking footwear, layered clothing,  camera

Meeting 5: Sunday TBD, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

Theme: compassion/empathy
Warm-up / wellness tool: Wim Hof breathing
Exercise: break out groups
Activity: 5-mile hike
The Plan:  Meet at 11am – 3ish
Parking:  $10 per vehicle
What to Bring:  water/snacks, a head cover/sunblock, sunglasses, sturdy hiking footwear, layered clothing,  camera

Meeting 6: Saturday TBD, Cascal’s Restaurant, Mountain View, CA

Theme:  gratitude
Warm-up / wellness tool:  gratitude list
Exercise:  hot seat
Activity: Breaking bread together Cascal’s is a genuine Spanish culinary experience. This restaurant has it all – high quality food and drinks, great service, authentic live Spanish music, indoor and outdoor seating, and a great atmosphere. We will be seated at a reserved outside table with heating and the menu is now featuring summer choices. Some of my favs are the eggplant tian, chicken livers, pork tenderloin, and shrimp bisk. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options too.
The Plan:  Start at 5:30 – 8:00ish; 7:30-8:30
Live Music Parking:  street parking and parking garage @ 343 Bryant St
What to Bring:  layered clothing,  camera