The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well

After hearing so much about the Well for Culture movement, I finally dove into this book, and it truly felt like a cooling balm for my frazzled, digital-weary soul. Luger and Collins don't just offer another set of generic wellness hacks; they invite us into a profound, interconnected way of being that honors the land and our ancestors. I found the chapter on 'Sacred Space' particularly moving, especially the idea of smudging our digital environments to clear out the noise of the modern world. While some might find the concepts simple, there is a deep, ancient wisdom in that simplicity that Big Pharma and the commercial fitness industry could never replicate. The truth is, we’ve become so disconnected from the rhythms of sleep and movement that these 'basic' teachings feel radical. It’s a beautiful, holistic approach to living that emphasizes gratitude over consumption. I’ll be returning to these pages whenever I feel out of balance.

Wow. What an incredible shift from the usual self-help junk that clutters the 'wellness' section of the bookstore these days. The Seven Circles isn't about selling you a gym membership or a new supplement; it’s about reconnecting with the earth and the inherent wisdom of our bodies. I loved how Chelsey and Thosh integrated the concept of ceremony into daily life, making the act of living feel sacred again. It’s refreshing to read a book that prioritizes the health of the community and the planet as much as the individual. Some might argue it’s 'basic,' but look, we are a society that has forgotten how to breathe and walk—we need these foundations. The writing is graceful, the photos are vibrant, and the message is vital for anyone tired of the capitalist grind. I truly believe this is healing for the soul.

Every chapter of this book felt like a reminder of something my heart already knew but my busy brain had forgotten. Luger and Collins have a way of making ancestral knowledge feel incredibly relevant to our modern, urban lives. I was particularly struck by the 'Movement' circle, which encourages us to see physical activity as a way to rev up our spirits rather than just a chore to burn calories. The focus on reciprocity with the land is something you just don't get in standard American wellness books. To be fair, the section on hunting might be a bit challenging for some, but I found their perspective on eating meat that you've hunted yourself to be a breath of fresh air. It’s a healing, soulful guide that manages to be both practical and deeply spiritual. It invites you to weave these practices into your own life with generosity.

As someone who has struggled with the 'Big Wellness' industry and its focus on profit, this book provided the exact spiritual nourishment I was seeking. The authors speak from a place of resilience and joy, refusing to let Indigenous health be defined only by past trauma. They show us that wellness is a birthright, rooted in gratitude and a relationship with the world around us. I spent a long time reflecting on the 'Ceremony' circle and how I can ritualize my own daily routines to find more balance. In my experience, most self-help books leave you feeling like you aren't doing enough, but this one left me feeling empowered and connected. It is a generous gift of knowledge that encourages us to connect with our own ancestors while honoring the stolen land we stand on. Truly a must-read.

Ever wonder why you feel so drained even when you’re doing everything 'right' by modern standards? This book suggests it’s because we’ve lost our connection to the circles of life that our ancestors took for granted. I loved the emphasis on community and how our health is tied to those around us, not just our own individual habits. The writing is incredibly clear and engaging, and the photographs of the authors’ family and community bring the concepts to life in a way that words alone couldn't. It’s not just a book; it’s a call to move, eat, and sleep with intention and gratitude. Got to say, the section on the history of government-incentivized buffalo hunting was eye-opening and heartbreaking. Truly, it’s a guide to healing both the self and the collective. I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to find real, lasting joy.

This book offers a much-needed Indigenous lens on health that completely shifts the perspective from 'fixing' ourselves to living in harmony. Personally, I was fascinated by the historical context provided, such as the heartbreaking history of the buffalo and how that tied into the systematic destruction of Native food systems. The seven circles—movement, community, food, ceremony, sacred space, sleep, and land—provide a sturdy framework for anyone looking to decolonize their lifestyle. To be fair, some sections felt a little repetitive, almost as if the authors were circling back to the same points to drive them home, which slowed the pacing for me. However, the photography is stunning and the tone is remarkably inviting rather than preachy. It’s a solid resource for those who want to move beyond the aesthetic side of wellness and into something more spiritual.

Finally got around to reading this after seeing Thosh Collins on Reservation Dogs, and it’s a really lovely, grounded piece of work. The authors do a great job of explaining how the 'Seven Circles' are interconnected; you can't really have one without the others. I especially liked the part about creating 'Sacred Space' in our homes, which is something I’ve been trying to do to manage my anxiety. To be honest, I think the 'Food' section could have used a bit more detail, as it felt a little brief compared to the chapters on movement and ceremony. Still, the overall message of walking in a 'good way' is something everyone should hear. It’s a readable, beautifully designed book that feels more like a conversation with a wise friend than a lecture. It provides a much-needed perspective in a very crowded self-help market.

Picked this up expecting a typical diet and exercise plan, but what I found was a beautiful, wholistic approach to life itself. The truth is, most wellness books focus so much on the 'me' that they forget the 'we,' but this book centers community and land as essential to our well-being. I loved the connection the authors made between our internal health and the biodiversity of the planet. While I did find some of the warnings about cultural appropriation to be a bit repetitive, I understand why they are necessary in today's climate. The book is incredibly readable and the layout makes it easy to jump back into specific circles when you need a refresher. It’s a great introduction for anyone looking to step away from the industrial, capitalist model of health. I really appreciated the insight into Indigenous resilience.

The chapter on 'Land' alone makes this book worth the price of admission. It’s rare to find a wellness guide that emphasizes our responsibility to the environment as a core component of our personal health. I really appreciated the trauma-informed approach Luger and Collins took, acknowledging the history of colonial abuses while focusing on the 'mino bimadiizawin' or the 'good life.' While I found a few of the analogies a bit repetitive toward the end, the overall insight into Native culture was fascinating. The authors manage to be informative without being overly academic, making this accessible to a wide audience. It’s a beautiful wholistic approach that actually makes you feel better about the world after you finish it. The connections made between the seven circles are intuitive and deeply grounding.

Frankly, I felt like this book was a bit too elementary for someone who has already spent time researching holistic health or ancestral living. While the authors are clearly passionate and the 'Seven Circles' model is a great visual, many of the suggestions—like getting more sleep and eating whole foods—felt like common knowledge rebranded for a specific niche. Not gonna lie, I was hoping for more specific traditional stories or cultural insights that weren't just surface-level. On the positive side, the section on 'digital smudging' was a clever modern application of tradition, and the photography throughout the volume is absolutely top-notch. It’s a gorgeous book to have on your shelf, but if you’re looking for advanced wellness techniques or dense historical analysis, you might find yourself just talking in circles along with the text.