Pillars of Health
Each pillar is an area to explore either on its own, or as part of a curated combination specific to your group.
Pillars are general, but can be directed for your group's particular interests and gaps.
Pillars are general, but can be directed for your group's particular interests and gaps.
Nutrition
A healthy diet includes not only what we put on our plates, but also an understanding of where food comes from,
reasons for different eating strategies, the impact of food production on the planet as a whole, and the emotional relationship we have with food.
Explorations around diet can be done as part of meal planning/preparation/enjoyment during the program.
reasons for different eating strategies, the impact of food production on the planet as a whole, and the emotional relationship we have with food.
Explorations around diet can be done as part of meal planning/preparation/enjoyment during the program.
Sleep & Rest
Our culture is addicted to being “busy”, kids and adults alike. There is a powerful case to be made for doing nothing, being bored, and having downtime. Sleep and rest are critical for rejuvenation, creativity and productivity. We strongly recommend that all programs include this pillar.
Stress Resilience
We all experience stress; it is a universal physical reaction to a threat. However, we don’t have to let it overcome us. Developing skills to recognize signs of the stress response, and strategies to prevent and reduce it go a long way to promoting health and well-being.
Nature Immersion
We have a reciprocal relationship with nature: we are healthier in a healthy environment, which suffers when we try to control it. Exploring this relationship requires a look at the impacts of environmental toxicity and climate change, and strategies to reduce harm individually and at a community level. It also includes fostering environmental stewardship, and leveraging time in nature to promote health and well-being.
Movement
Movement can look like many things, and we don’t tend to do enough of it!
Rather than thinking of movement as “exercise” that we must do, we can consider the intuitive motivation
and pleasure of moving our bodies. In our modern lives, there are many obstacles to moving regularly and with joy. We can help you rediscover this!
Rather than thinking of movement as “exercise” that we must do, we can consider the intuitive motivation
and pleasure of moving our bodies. In our modern lives, there are many obstacles to moving regularly and with joy. We can help you rediscover this!
Purpose
Ultimately, our own good health allows us to seek self-actualization. What does it mean to be our best selves? What is a life worth living? What makes your heart come alive? Examining our values, our strengths and our passions allows us to become an agent of positive change.
Getting Sick Well
Symptoms of illness are signs that your body is trying to heal. We don't fear illness, but trust that our bodies can handle most things given the right circumstances … and know when to worry. There is potential harm in inappropriately using “heroic” medicine;
we encourage using the right medicine for the right person at the right time.
Nature is a powerful healer, and learning to apply food, herbal medicines, water and rest appropriately can allow
deep recovery from illness, and the promotion of overall health.
we encourage using the right medicine for the right person at the right time.
Nature is a powerful healer, and learning to apply food, herbal medicines, water and rest appropriately can allow
deep recovery from illness, and the promotion of overall health.
Spirituality
Spirituality can be defined in many ways; we choose to see it as honouring the connection to something greater than oneself.
There are many ways to experience the divine, or to engage in collective consciousness. Let us help you explore!
There are many ways to experience the divine, or to engage in collective consciousness. Let us help you explore!
Sexuality
Human beings are sexual from the time of birth to the time of death. A holistic exploration of sexual health includes examining not only the plumbing,
but the dynamics of intimacy, consent, gender, media, shame, etc. Always age/developmentally-appropriate.
but the dynamics of intimacy, consent, gender, media, shame, etc. Always age/developmentally-appropriate.
Play
It’s possible that our culture takes itself a little too seriously. An attitude of playfulness and releasing from the “rules”
can foster innovation and compassion. Let’s explore healthy disobedience!
can foster innovation and compassion. Let’s explore healthy disobedience!
Death & Letting Go
As a culture we tend to avoid talks of death. However, pondering death is the ultimate opportunity for practicing detachment
and releasing what doesn’t serve us. Gratitude for what we have allows us to be present; to plan instead of worry; to reflect instead of ruminate. Considering the inevitability of death motivates us to live with a sense of urgency in alignment with our values.
and releasing what doesn’t serve us. Gratitude for what we have allows us to be present; to plan instead of worry; to reflect instead of ruminate. Considering the inevitability of death motivates us to live with a sense of urgency in alignment with our values.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the act of “paying attention on purpose”. It can be applied to all aspects of everyday life, and has been shown to be highly effective at reducing anxiety, depression and stress. The practice of mindfulness centres around the values of non-judgement, curiosity and compassion.
Relationships
Deliberately fostering healthy relationships is critical to physical and mental health. Examining our role in our relationships allows us to set boundaries and take responsibility for our own happiness. These dynamics are relevant for intimate relationships as well as casual or work acquaintances.
