An experimental study coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) showed, for the first time in the world, that the immune system of daycare children of three to five years improved its regulation when forest undergrowth, lawn turf and planter boxes were added to yard areas of daycare centres.

A high level of hygiene, an urban lifestyle and an insufficient contact with nature reduce diversity in the organ system’s microbes. Homogeneity in microbes increases the risk of disorders in the immune system, such as atopy, diabetes, the coeliac disease and allergies.

Dozens comparative studies have previously found that children who live in rural areas and are in contact with nature have a lower probability of catching an illness resulting from disorders in the immune system. A recent study shows that repeated contact with nature-like elements five times a week diversified the organ system’s microbes that offer protection against diseases transmitted through the immune system in daycare children. “This recently published study of daycare children is the first in which these changes offering protection against diseases have been found when adding diversified aspects of nature to an urban environment”, says Aki Sinkkonen, research scientist at Luke, who led the study published in Science Advances. More ... 

Exciting Learning Opportunities at the Biodynamic Association

Engage with BDA staff members and the biodynamic community in our upcoming Biodynamic Animal Husbandry online course, Author Conversations every Monday in October, and much more in our ongoing webinar series—we invite you to connect with, learn from, and get inspired by the many others working with biodynamics across the country. We look forward to connecting with you!  More ...

The Sheiling Ringwood is set in a stunning, sustainable and eco-friendly 45-acre site close to the New Forest and Dorset coastline in England. The natural surroundings of our school and college provide a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment for students, aged 5-25, who have a special educational need. They specialise in autism and communication difficulties, severe and complex learning disabilities and challenging behaviours. More ...

​St Michael is one of the principal angelic warriors, protector against the dark of the night and the Archangel who fought against Satan and his evil angels. As Michaelmas is the time that the darker nights and colder days begin – the edge into winter – the celebration of Michaelmas is associated with encouraging protection during these dark months. It was believed that negative forces were stronger in darkness and so families would require stronger defences during the later months of the year.

Traditionally, in the British Isles, a well fattened goose, fed on the stubble from the fields after the harvest, is eaten to protect against financial need in the family for the next year; and as the saying goes:

“Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day,
Want not for money all the year”.

Sometimes the day was also known as “Goose Day” and goose fairs were held. Even now, the famous Nottingham Goose Fair is still held on or around the 3rd of October. Part of the reason goose is eaten is that it was said that when Queen Elizabeth I heard of the defeat of the Armada, she was dining on goose and resolved to eat it on Michaelmas Day. Others followed suit. It could also have developed through the role of Michaelmas Day as the debts were due; tenants requiring a delay in payment may have tried to persuade their landlords with gifts of geese!

​Novalis Institute, originally known as Minnesota Foundations Studies, was born over twenty years ago when a group of people came together to deepen their understanding of Waldorf education and the life journey of human beings through the lens of Anthroposophy. 

Novalis Institute will come to a close in June 2022.

Novalis Institute was born as a collective adult education initiative. Since that time, Novalis has served as a vessel for study, conversation, artistic development, connection and growth for many individuals. Novalis courses have supported teachers, parents and community members in developing artistic capacities, exploring the role of meditative and reflective practices, delving into the texts of Rudolf Steiner, and gaining a deeper understanding of the natural stages of human development through the life cycle. 

Throughout the year ahead we will honor and celebrate our shared learning and the many wonderful meetings that have taken place between us over these years of adult education arising from the stream of Anthroposophy. In this final year of study, we invite you to join us for several artistic and biography offerings (in virtual space) and an in-person St. John’s Festival in June 2022.

Our current board of trustees - Karyn Penn, Marti Stewart, Carolyn Laine, Donna Webb and Linda Bergh - are making plans for the final Hoorah! Please join us this year to celebrate learning and the ever present opportunity to open to the great unknown. 

In gratitude and service, The Novalis Institute Board of Trustees ----- more info 

Meadowlark Hearth Living Environment Foundation | 120024 Everett Drive, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

We invite you to join us as we explore big, essential questions together ... 

What is contemporary culture asking for now?
What are you being called to bring to the world?
How will Anthroposophia assist you in the task?

The Applied Anthroposophy Course (AAC) brings transformative online content to the alchemy of individual and group inner work. The mission is to explore the urgent issues of our time and awaken meaning through the lens of spiritual philosophy, inner reflection, and outer action. Visit appliedanthroposophy.org for more information!
 
Click Here to Register Now

MysTech is dedicated to driving positive change for our future by steering the role that technology will play in society and human evolution in the light of spiritual science. The past century has witnessed astonishing advances in technology that have impacted our day-to-day lives, health, and consciousness in profound and unexpected ways. When we consider the impact of technology in the context of our evolution as both physical and spiritual beings, how might it contribute to our future? Will continued advances in technology be a benefit or a burden for the potential of humankind? How must we respond to modern technological developments in order to shape the future towards the good?

In this conference you will gain new insights about the mysteries of technology from the perspectives of spiritual science through the original research of our distinguished speakers across a broad range of fascinating topics. You will also gain a new appreciation for social three-folding, biodynamics,  eurythmy, and more, and learn how these methods and thought-forms can help us to meet the coming challenges of the modern age. More ... 

AHE Educational Support Program Cycle 13

Our 13th cycle of our three-year Educational Support Program will be held starting in October 2021 at the Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA. Consider joining our cohort to learn how to serve children in today’s classrooms and group settings, and how to help parents support their children.

This is an in-depth, three year, part time training program that provides certification in Waldorf Educational Support work, enabling teachers and education consultants to address learning challenges such as comprehension and memory weaknesses, social challenges, and neuro-developmental hindrances that impact vision, auditory processing, executive function and motor skills. Learn strategies for the classroom to maximize students’ learning efficiency. AHE graduates work as teachers in the grades, early childhood, high school or as educational support/Extra Lesson teachers and education consultants in private practice.

Dates in year 1: Oct.7-10, 2021, April 20-24, 2022, July 11-22, 2022 
(Plus online sessions in between)
Location: Hartsbrook School, Hadley, MA

Themes throughout the training include sharpening our observation skills, the causes of challenging behaviors, bringing games and activities to strengthen the developmental path, and pedagogy to help children overcome obstacles in order to reach their full potential.

Alongside reviewing content in Waldorf Education from Dr. Rudolf Steiner and Dr. Karl König, we will experience the Extra Lesson, created by Waldorf teacher Audrey McAllen. In her work, based on her study of several key lectures from Rudolf Steiner, we find a deep exploration of why children struggle to be at home in their body, and how we can help them in classrooms, small groups and individual settings. These concepts are complemented by current neurological research on the developing child’s body/brain connection. 

Choose one or two years for teacher development or a three year program to be a certified specialist. 

For information about fees and registration, visit our website www.healingeducation.org or email Connie Helms at registrar@healingeducation.org

The Earthship Academy is a complete program where you will have classes in the morning (theory) and practice (hands on) on Earthship construction sites in the afternoon. During 4 weeks, you will get trained with the Michael Reynolds’ crew and amazing instructors on how to build Earthships and live self sufficiently. We do not require previous experience and we are open to everyone that wishes to learn.

We still have available spots for the September and October 2021 sessions, and we just opened 2022 registration!

Come be part of our community, and meet like minded people! More ...