Rewilding Through Boxing

Embrace your animal nature

Awaken your primal instincts with Rewilding Through Boxing. Created by naturalist, herbalist and former pro-boxer Vanessa Chakour, this unique movement practice blends boxing with elements of herbalism and outdoor education. Sharpen your senses, release stress, and cultivate mindfulness – all while learning practical boxing skills. Limited sessions are available in Western Massachusetts, with occasional workshops in NYC and Cambridge. Group boxing is optional within most retreats.

“The boxing ring is a very lonely place. You come face to face with your inner demons and all of your fears. Vanessa’s heart and courage in the ring, and convictions around environmental and social justice carry the same level of intensity.” ~ Shaun George,
Former Cruiserweight World Champion, Coach, Olympic Team Trainer

Experience

Heightened awareness and emotional release: Sharpen your senses, release pent-up emotions, and cultivate present-moment awareness through powerful, skill building workouts.

Overall strength and lifelong skills: Build physical and mental resilience while learning valuable boxing techniques that translate into metaphors for life.

Training Programs

Nature based: These sessions go beyond the gym to foster deepenened intimacy with your body and the environment. Meditation, sensory development, technique training, and conditioning can take place both indoors and outdoors. Either way, we root your practice in the natural world.

Training Camp: Learn core principles of footwork, punching mechanics, and defense strategies used by competitive boxers, all in a safe and supportive, no-contact environment. Bag work (speedbag, heavy bag, etc.) available in some locations.

Testimonials

Boxing Reviews

"In the years that I have known Vanessa Chakour, she has always impressed me. She fully understands the dedication, commitment and skills required to be successful in all aspects of boxing. Her heart & determination are unparalleled. She comes from a school of great trainers who know the game & have given her pure wisdom."
~ Lennard Jackson, Boxing coach and Former World Ranked Middleweight

"Boxing with Vanessa is not about punching people or being a hard ass, it's about being true and clear in your direction and concentration. To say I needed this would be an understatement. The support and inspiration I feel boxing, practicing the meditation techniques and connecting with the elements within me and around me, is the whole warrior of my true self."
~ Steph Harris

"Working with Vanessa has been a phenomenal experience. She is a great teacher and really analyzes your skills for peak performance. She is an advocate of using proper technique which many trainers don't emphasize. She also helps you gain confidence through understanding the science of the sport, and learning to generate power with technique and awareness through meditation practice."
~ Rene John Sandy, Co- Founder of The Hip Hop Loves Foundation

"While I’d been an athlete for much of my life I’ve never had someone hold the space for me to arrive deeply in my practice in a way that welcomed not only the practice itself but left room for the baggage, wisdom, flair and life experience I’d carried with me in that moment. In this way Vanessa makes boxing a sacred opportunity to learn about how to better one’s approach to life, self and others. I am deep in gratitude"
~ Phelicia Magnusson

“Vanessa uses her own special technique of combining the fierceness of boxing with the focus and visualization of meditation and then makes it more of a beautiful bundle when she teaches you about healing with local medicinal plants. I can only fully express my gratitude for her teaching and guidance by sharing it because she has changed my world and made me feel like more of the Badass that was waiting to be released! *cue Eye of the Tiger please!”
~ Danise Prescott

“Vanessa is an amazing person, one time female boxer and boxing coach, she knows how to teach people to get in touch with their animal instincts like no one else I know.”
~ Author and Herbalist, Matthew Wood

Limited sessions:

Western MA & NYC sessions can be requested

Contact Vanessa for more info.

“After years of witnessing the profound impact of Rewilding Through Boxing, I felt a deep calling to share this practice again. I missed the powerful sense of community that blossomed, and the opportunity to empower others to awaken their animal nature.” ~ Vanessa Chakour

A Brief Boxing Bio:

Rewilding Through Boxing (formerly Sacred Warrior Training) is the culmination of founder Vanessa Chakour's lifelong journey of healing and reconnection with the natural world. Despite facing physical challenges, Vanessa, a personal trainer since 1998, leveraged her diverse background in movement therapy, meditation, and environmental education to forge a unique path. This path included a transformative experience training as a professional boxer at the renowned Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn.

A USA Boxing certified coach, Vanessa honed her skills and coaching expertise at various New York City boxing gyms, including Mendez and Church Street. She has extensive experience working with clients and volunteering as a coach/mentor at organizations like GEMS, Harlem Children's Zone (with the Hip Hop Loves Foundation). Her popular Reclaim The Wild Woman retreats held at the Wolf Conservation Center (2014-2020) offered outdoor education amongst wolves, while incorporating boxing and ethical wildcrafting. These programs fostered a powerful connection between our inner and outer wilds – a connection Vanessa continues to cultivate throughout her work.