Living rhythm programs

Interactive workshops geared for students and educators to promote effective communication, leadership skills, active listening, team work and community support. We explore rhythm as a tool for education in the classroom. Educator engagement programs are also offered. Discipline problems tend to diminish with strong rhythms and connection. Yes and no. This is a question I wrestle with all the time. It is a curriculum as much as early childhood might have a curriculum with Waldorf education although honestly it is more of a way of life that comes out of your personal approach to homemaking and self development.

On the one hand we know that the adult and a rich rhythmic home life is the curriculum in early childhood. This program supports you to find your stride and create spaciousness in your family life to create and sustain healthy rhythms for your family and to take up some of the most delightful aspects of childhood: creativity, wonder, enchantment, beauty and goodness along with self care and healthy boundaries.

On the other hand, the support material contains songs, verse, stories, puppetry, recipes, inner work, handwork and more to nourish a beautiful, strong rhythmic connection with the natural world and celebrate the rhythm of life through the year with your child. So yes, it is a curriculum in that sense. Come join in, create community, find support, receive encouragement!

M embers are saying:. I was struggling to find rhythm and understand why it matters and what it really looks like in my messy house with active children, you know reality. Lisa's program is so simple and straightforward yet delves into the philosophy of Waldorf education and makes it easy to put into practice. Some great ideas for me to think about.

I have the best luck with Movement Journeys and Circle Adventures by Nancy Blanning and Laurie Clark, as they present complete circles as a long story and give plenty of large and fine motor suggestions with the songs and verses, with things to climb on, etc.

And they are just lovely. We often do them outside, which is so much fun. I will say they are a lot to learn, but that lends itself very well to building the circle over a 3- or 4-week cycle! An area of work for me is that I am no good with creating gestures and movements for verse, and so many books of circle times like Let Us Form A Ring leave them out!

Peace and Good Health, Kelly - January 19, It is so full of rich sparks of imagination. It helped me bring it all together with my family. It now comes out of me, not a curriculum or guide.

Thank you. The changes have been enormous. It has completely changed our lives. This fun interactive rhythm-based activity builds spirit, offers an avenue for self-expression and to raise the joy of life.

This collaborative workshop is geared for staff, educators and therapists to promote effective communication, leadership, team work and active listening skills. This course provides training for your staff, equipping them to run their own rhythm-based workshops at your centre. The first thing to know is that is rhythm is not a schedule. In a schedule each activity is separate and should be completed at a set time, focusing on the minute-to-minute. Rhythm is not concerned with what time you do something, only in the order or sequence of the activities.

A Rhythm is built of anchors. What is fixed in a rhythm is not when but what. When building your rhythm, determine the aspects of your day and week that are required daily: meals, inside time, outside time, rest, work, etc. Place these fixed anchors on a chart and begin filling in around them. You might also consider making a weekly rhythm for meals and snacks.

Sounds and Silences, Inhale and Exhale. Like anything alive, a rhythm breathes. In any rhythm there are moments of sound exhale and moment of silence inhale. We need both the expansive moment—the out-breath, where we relate to the external world—and the moment of contraction—the in-breath, where we turn inward and connect with ourselves. When we breathe in we gather our inner resources and refuel our well of strength. Quiet activities such as rest, quiet alone play, yoga, meditation, nature walks, stories, and meals are examples of this inner focus.

When we breathe out, we are engaging, exploring, learning, and attending to daily needs. Chores, outside play, social activities, academics, craft activities, and circle time are examples of engaging with the outer world. In building your rhythm, consider the natural rise and fall of breath, the blending of inner and outer activities. Too much of one and not enough of the other will make the rhythm feel wonky.

When the part of rhythm feels right, it will fall into place and flow naturally. Remember it takes repetition for a rhythm to work, so try it out for a few days before you make big changes. But also, feel free to make big changes and experiment to find what works for your family. You, the parents, are also anchors of Rhythm. As the adult, you lead the movement into the next activity or event. When it is nearing time for you to transition in the day, begin by giving small signals of the coming change to the child.

When you are ready, consider a song or story that leads into the next activity.