Location:
Grace on Race St. in Over-the-Rhine, 1310 Race St.
✨ Slow down. Restore your foundation. Get Inspired. Rise.
Elevate Cincinnati is a restorative one-day retreat designed to help you pause, reset, and reconnect - this time with a special visit from New York Times Bestselling author of “Finding Gobi,” Dion Leonard.
I read “Finding Gobi” on the beach in Michigan in 2020 and was so inspired. It is a story of overcoming, fate & friendship. The star of the story is the little dog, Gobi. He finds Dion during an ultramarathon race in the Gobi desert in China and… well, you’ll have to read the story find find out the rest!
We’ll kick off the day with a restorative yoga class to unlock the tightness in your body with my favorite foot, hamstring, calf & back stretches. A perfect class for active people - runners, hikers & walkers.
The rest of the day includes a relaxed walk to Findlay Market followed by a healthy lunch in Washington Park, presentation by Dion & Gobi + a sound bath massage by Sonya & Daniel.
Are you ready to ELEVATE?
“After two weeks of working with Heather I started to see results. Just the foot stretches alone made my feet feel reborn with circulation they had not had for years! I gradually increased my running and am no longer a prisoner to foot pain. Now, I’m 100% from foot pain and recently ran a 5k in under 30 minutes.”
🌿 The Day
1. Morning Restorative Yoga: Unlock The tightness
Runners, hikers, cyclists, and active people often carry hidden tension that builds up from miles, workouts, and the demands of daily life. In this class, you'll learn my favorite foot stretch, hamstring stretch, calf stretch, and how to master your downward dog to create space through the spine and entire back body.
These simple yet powerful techniques help release deep layers of tightness, improve mobility, reduce strain on the feet, and leave you feeling lighter, longer, and more free in your movement.
2. Findlay Market Walk: Connect & Nourish
Next, we’ll head outside for a mindful walk to Findlay Market, one of Cincinnati’s most vibrant local gems. . Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to elevate the farmers by choosing fresh, seasonal ingredients to nourish your body later that week.
3. Nourishing Community Lunch
We’ll return to enjoy a nourishing lunch and heartfelt connection together. This is a time to slow down, share stories, and let the power of food and community restore your energy. You’ll enjoy a fresh, healthy vegetarian meal (hopefully in Washington Park if the weather is nice! If not, we have a space indoors to dine.
4. Finding Gobi: The inspirational, heartwarming & true story of a man & his best friend.
Join author Dion Leonard for a captivating event as he presents the main edition of his New York Times bestselling book, Finding Gobi. This inspiring, true story chronicles Dion’s journey during a grueling 155-mile ultra-marathon across the Gobi Desert in China, where he met a small stray dog named Gobi. What started as a chance encounter quickly turned into a life-changing bond, as Gobi became Dion's steadfast companion, matching his stride every step of the way to the finish line.
When the race ended, Gobi went missing, sparking a nationwide search to reunite the two. This incredible story of determination, love, and loyalty is sure to captivate readers of all ages and is perfect for animal lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.
At this special event, Dion will share the unforgettable tale of his and Gobi’s journey, the search to bring Gobi home, and the deep bond they share. Finding Gobi is a truly moving story that will inspire anyone who has ever loved an animal or pursued a dream.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Dion and Gobi, hear their story firsthand, and be inspired by their remarkable adventure.
5. Sound Bath Massage: Integrate & Renew
We’ll close the day with a deeply restorative sound bath massage with Sonya Verma & Daniel - a soothing blend of healing vibrations and guided relaxation. This final experience helps your body integrate the day and invites your nervous system into profound rest. You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and reconnected to yourself and your body.
“After two months of working with Heather I was back on the trails again with no pain. When we first started working together just walking around my house was painful. And, I just hiked all the way down into the Grand Canyon and back out!”
🥗 The Eats
Nourishment is a key part of transformation. During our day together, you’ll enjoy a healthy, delicious vegetarian lunch made with locally and seasonally sourced ingredients. Every bite is crafted to support your energy, digestion, and overall well-being - so you feel light, satisfied, and ready to elevate into your next chapter.
Who This Is For…
Runners, walkers, and hikers
Dog lovers
Anyone who wants to feel lighter, more supported, and more connected to their body
And, of course all “Finding Gobi” fans!
🌅 Your Invitation
What if one day could help you feel lighter, stronger, more connected to yourself & inspired in the coming year?
Elevate Cincinnati: August Edition is an opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and reconnect with your body, your breath, and your community.
Throughout the day, you'll release tension, enjoy a mindful walk through Findlay Market, share a nourishing meal, be inspired by an incredible story, and finish with a deeply restorative sound bath experience.
This isn't about doing more.
It's about creating space to move, breathe, connect, and rest. When the body feels supported, everything else begins to flow more easily.
Come elevate with us and spend the day surrounded by kind-hearted people who are ready to slow down, recharge, and feel their best.
✨ What’s Included:
Guided Walk To Findlay Market w/ Heather
Restorative Yoga Session w/ Heather
Inspirational Talk w/ Dion Leonard & Gobi, the dog (yes, he’ll be there too!)
Healthy Lunch by Heather & Chef Jeff Sheldon
Sound Bath Experience w/ Sonya Verma & Daniel Hall
❌ What’s Not Included:
Parking
Childcare (childcare will be available at the Hyde Park Methodist Church location. It is an additional $15/child for the whole day. Simply add it on at check out)
🎒 What To Bring:
Yoga mat
Blanket
Pillow
Water
Walking shoes
“Eight months ago walking or being on my feet for an extended period of time was painful. Even after cortisone shots, nerve blocks, custom orthotics and anti inflammatories I couldn’t get rid of the pain in my foot. Heather helped me so much and enabled me to get back to marathons. Yesterday, I completed the third of 3 half marathons in 3 days in 3 different states! ”
🙏 Giving Back
Elevate Cincinnati is more than a reset - it’s also a way to give back to our local community. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the hosting church to support a meaningful project: building a laundromat for the downtown community.
By showing up for yourself, you’re also helping provide clean clothes and dignity to neighbors in need. Healing is powerful - and even more so when it's shared.
🧘♀️ Your Guide
Hi, I’m Heather Muhlhauser - aka “Heather Feather.”
“Heather Feather” was my nickname growing up, and it still fits. Light, uplifting, and a little magical - just like a feather, I aim to inspire and help others rise.
I’m the founder of Elevate Excursions, a yoga, hiking, and foodie adventure company offering transformational trips in the Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Croatia, and Costa Rica. I also specialize in helping active people overcome pain and return to the activities they love - stronger, more aligned, and pain-free.
This event was born from a attending a life changing yoga festival called Wanderlust in Lake Tahoe, where I had the opportunity to take yoga classes with some of the best instructors from all over the world. Not only did I learn techniques that helped me overcome pain and injuries I experienced as a long distance runner, but I also had a total blast. Since Cincinnati does not have events like this, I wanted to bring that kind of experience to my hometown.
In addition to being a certified personal trainer and a 200- and 500-hour yoga teacher, I’m also an Ironman finisher, have completed dozens of marathons and ultramarathons, and currently love participating in SwimRun events. When I’m not training or guiding others, you’ll find me running trails or hiking with my husband, Ted, our kids - Wiley, Sedona, and Kenzie - and our amazing dog, Omena.
I have helped 100’s of people overcome pain, and I would love to help you! This retreat is your sign that it is possible to feel amazing in your body again and to open up to what’s truly possible for you. I’ll be sharing the exact tools I use (and teach to others) to get rid of pain and feel strong in my body so I can run and hike as far as I want (and enjoy it!).
Are you in?