Italy!
The name conjures up Mediterranean images of rolling hills carpeted with vineyards, ancient architecture, art and culture, fashion, great food and wine – and an art of living all too easily forgotten in our fast-paced world.
Indeed, the Mediterranean is the historical epicenter of Western culture. But few realize that it’s also the birthplace of many great modern educational traditions including the Montessori method and Italy’s recently discovered Reggio Emilia approach.
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Education and 250 educators traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to see this wonderful model of early childhood education and learn of its principles. These include:
- Children must have some control over the direction of their learning.
- Children must be able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing and hearing.
- Children have relationships with other children and material items in the world that they must be allowed to explore.
- Children must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.
Yoga Calm’s philosophy mirrors the Reggio Emilia Approach principles and is based on the belief that children want to learn – and are innately motivated to do so – when they feel safe, supported and appropriately stimulated. In this type of environment, children discover and develop their own unique abilities. Their natural beauty and compassion grows. They blossom.
You can experience the benefits of Yoga Calm firsthand in Casperia, Italy, where we will be holding our first international Yoga Calm training July 30 – August 6.
In one of the last Italian villages untouched by mass tourism, during the lushness of the Italian summer, we will have the luxury of diving deep into Yoga Calm’s principles of Stillness, Listening, Grounding, Strength and Community. From rooftop yoga decks inspired by views of the Sabina Mountains, we will learn new tools to help children and expand our skills. With restorative yoga practices, we will experience wellness practices that rejuvenate and renew. And with storytelling, inquiry processes and ample time to hike, bike and share with educators from around the world, we will reflect and grow.
We hope that you’ll join us!
