Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well by Chelsey Luger & Thosh Collins Summary

1. Balance modern life through seven interconnected Indigenous wellness circles
2. Food sovereignty roots nourishment in cultural traditions and seasonal awareness
3. Movement isn’t exercise—it’s mindful connection to body and earth
4. Sleep restores when aligned with natural light-dark cycles
5. Ceremony transforms daily routines into sacred spiritual practice
6. Sacred Space begins with decluttering your environment and mind
7. Land stewardship practices rebuild essential human-nature relationships
8. Community care heals individuals through collective responsibility
9. Avoid cultural appropriation by honoring teachings’ origins while adapting
10. Chelsey Luger’s Seven Circles model links land connection to holistic health
11. Well for Culture redefines wellness as community-centered lifelong journey
12. Indigenous sleep wisdom prioritizes darkness and digital detox nightly

About the Author of Seven Circles

Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins, co-authors of The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well, are renowned Indigenous wellness advocates and founders of the Well for Culture initiative.

Luger, an Anishinaabe and Lakota journalist and cultural consultant, and Collins, an Akimel O’odham, Seneca-Cayuga, and Osage photographer and land rights activist, blend ancestral knowledge with modern applications in their holistic wellness guide. The book distills seven interconnected pillars—food, movement, sleep, ceremony, sacred space, land, and community—into a framework taught at Ivy League institutions and corporations like Nike and Google.

Luger holds degrees from Dartmouth and Columbia, while Collins serves on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Land Board and the Native Wellness Institute board. Their work has been featured in The Atlantic, Well+Good, and TEDx talks, and they’ve consulted for brands like REI and Athleta.

Their forthcoming book, Sacred Space: Transformative Wellbeing through Indigenous Home Teachings (Harper One, 2025), further explores decolonized living. The Seven Circles has been widely adopted in academic curricula and corporate wellness programs, solidifying their role as leading voices in Indigenous health revitalization.

FAQs About Seven Circles

What is The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well about?

The Seven Circles offers a holistic wellness model rooted in Indigenous philosophies, focusing on seven interconnected pillars: food, movement, sleep, ceremony, sacred space, land, and community. Authors Chelsey Luger (Anishinaabe/Lakota) and Thosh Collins (Salt River Pima-Maricopa) blend ancestral wisdom with modern practices, sharing personal stories and 75+ photographs to guide readers toward balanced living. It emphasizes adapting teachings respectfully while honoring their Native origins.

Who should read The Seven Circles?

This book is ideal for wellness seekers, Indigenous communities reconnecting with traditions, and anyone exploring holistic health frameworks. It’s particularly valuable for educators, corporate trainers, or individuals interested in decolonizing wellness practices. The authors’ inclusive approach makes it accessible to both Native and non-Native audiences.

Is The Seven Circles worth reading?

Yes—it combines actionable advice with cultural depth, offering a unique alternative to mainstream wellness guides. Readers praise its practical frameworks (e.g., creating sacred spaces), historical context about colonialism’s health impacts, and emphasis on community-driven well-being. Over 75 atmospheric photos enhance its immersive quality.

What are the seven circles in the book?

The model’s seven interconnected pillars are:

• Food: Honoring Indigenous diets and mindful eating.
• Movement: Traditional practices like running and dance.
• Sleep: Aligning rest with natural rhythms.
• Ceremony: Spiritual rituals for grounding.
• Sacred Space: Minimalist, light-filled living environments.
• Land: Strengthening connection to nature.
• Community: Collective healing and accountability.

How does The Seven Circles address cultural appropriation?

Luger and Collins explicitly guide readers to adapt teachings without erasing their Indigenous context. They discourage surface-level adoption of rituals (e.g., smudging) and instead advocate learning through authentic partnerships with Native communities.

What makes The Seven Circles different from other wellness books?

Unlike individual-focused guides, this book frames wellness as a communal journey. It uniquely blends:

• Intergenerational wisdom: Protocols from multiple tribes.
• Modern applications: Corporate workshops for Nike, Google.
• Decolonized lens: Critiques of Eurocentric wellness trends.

Can non-Indigenous readers apply these teachings?

Yes—the authors provide adaptation guidelines, such as researching local Indigenous histories instead of appropriating specific rituals. For example, non-Native readers might adopt land-connected practices like gardening or supporting environmental justice.

What role does spirituality play in the book?

Spirituality is interwoven through ceremonial practices (prayer, meditation) and the concept of “hollow bone mentality”—a Lakota philosophy of becoming a channel for collective healing energy. The authors emphasize spirituality as actionable through daily habits, not dogma.

How do the authors’ backgrounds influence the book?

Luger (Dartmouth/Columbia-educated journalist) and Collins (photographer/activist) draw from their multigenerational trauma experiences and work with tribal nations. Their academic rigor and lived authenticity lend credibility to teachings tested in diverse settings, from Ivy League campuses to grassroots initiatives.

Does The Seven Circles include practical exercises?

Each chapter ends with actionable steps, such as:

• Designing morning routines aligned with circadian rhythms.
• Organizing community food-sharing events.
• Creating home altars for reflection.

How does the book address modern challenges like burnout?

It reframes burnout as a disconnection from the seven circles. Solutions include land-based movement (e.g., trail running) and “sleep hygiene” practices rooted in lunar cycles rather than productivity culture.

What are common critiques of The Seven Circles?

Some reviewers note the framework requires significant lifestyle changes, which may overwhelm readers. Others desire more tribe-specific context, though the authors intentionally avoid homogenizing diverse Indigenous traditions.

How does The Seven Circles compare to Braiding Sweetgrass?

While both center Indigenous wisdom, Braiding Sweetgrass focuses on ecological reciprocity, whereas The Seven Circles provides structured wellness protocols. They complement each other—one philosophical, the other practical.