Realizations from the Waldorf Asian Teacher Training 2015

The Waldorf Asian Teacher Training 2015 was slated at the Acacia Waldorf School in Sta. Elena, Laguna. 

I signed up for the Grade 1-2 morning block to better understand my son's current developmental state and what appropriate lessons I can help him with. During the afternoon, I chose Blackboard Drawing and Counselling classes. Oh, it was so very difficult to choose classes because I wanted to take them all! It's true what they say about Waldorf Education, if you didn't get the chance to get one as a child, the next best thing is to become a Waldorf parent or teacher! And parents are our children's first teachers so that was my business there.

While I intended to complete the ATT training, other plans have materialized for my family. So, here are my top realizations from the short- two days training I attended at the Acacia Waldorf School in Sta.Elena.

1. When a problem arises, you solve it together- as a community, never alone! 

Here is a photo of the international mentors that sparked inspiration in both teachers and parents. 

All class lectures and exercises always involved working within a circle, a community. Waldorf teachers are so special because they do their own inner work processing and then apply to their practice as nurturers of the children. 

2. In Waldorf Education, less is more to truly open the faculties of learning. I remember someone teaching me this "We are not what we eat, we are what we assimilate" The same is true for education, we think that just because we feed ideas that the children automatically pick it up. Not necessarily. When you bombard information, some children clam up. What's important is how you convey your message across so that the student may digest it properly. Example: I was exposed to creative ways on how to teach math with movement and song!

Grade 1-2 teacher wrote a song on the blackboard for us to learn and teach our children

3. Everything is in NATURE.  Remember the adage, what you are seeking is already within?  And art imitates nature. This is why the Waldorf curriculum is heavy on the arts because it is healing.

A lecture on temperaments found in the arts.

Yay! I can draw a mouse!

Strengthening the will exercises for Grade 1

Beautiful mandalas (made by students?) outside one of the classrooms.

Craft project at one of the classrooms

Paints 

My blackboard teacher's unfinished masterpiece!

I have also asked some of my training-mates their top 3 lessons.

Here's what Pam learned:

1. We have to teach the child to help the child overcome (obstacles/challenges). To deal with resistances, to help this child to grow into what he/she is intended to be. In short, "to solve the riddle of his life"

2. Adults should be conscious of their actions. Children imitate.

3. Teach the child that the world is good (0-7 years), the world is beautiful (7-14) and that the world is true (14-21 years).

Here's what Ina brought home from the training:

1. We are continuing the work of angels on earth when raising kids. We should guide them, strengthen their skills and help the through obstacles so that they, with their gifts, ca be who God intends them to be.

2. Early intellectualization is harmful for a child's development.

3. We all have a temperament that dominates our lives. We can develop these to overcome/temper its negative aspects and use it to achieve our purpose in life.

Interested in Waldorf Education? Visit a school near you!

Kolisko Waldorf School in Quezon City, Metro Manila

St. Micheal's Playhouse in Makati City

Manila Waldorf School in San Mateo, Rizal

Acacia Waldorf School in Laguna

University of Batangas Waldorf School

Tuburan Institute in Davao

Balay Sofia in Baguio

Soapmaking Science with Bodyfood

One of my favorite things to do is to make things with my own hands with natural and organic materials (from scratch if possible). Ana, my friend from the hills of Antipolo has been one of my Martha Stewart-ish inspirations since I've met her. Her family likes to make things, too! She is the brains behind BodyFood as its official soap-master maker for 14 years now. 

It's been about 8 years since we've met and collaborated on her  Ladies & Babies Tea Party and Bazaar which I blogged about here. She has these really creative and entrepreneurial get togethers yearly which we happily join or attend to buy unique finds and natural or healthy products. Last year's Tea Party and Soap Exhibit was a sweet success! Read all about that here. Earlier this year was an Artisan Fair which she collaborated with other merchants. Too bad I didn't make it because one of my kids caught a bug but I did blog about it here.

Yesterday, I attended her Soapmaking Workshop which I have been meaning to attend since she decided to teach it to the public. The venue was the home of her younger brother, Vitty Gutierrez who is a master artisan builder! He calls his home The Bee House because there are always bees buzzing around.

We had some of the day's sessions outdoors which was so refreshing for city folks like me. Just look at our grand classroom, so out of the box - literally!

These are some of the basic materials needed. I felt like a badass naturpath chemist! Look at the adorable watercolored notebook made by Ana's mother, Tita Emma Gutierrez. She always has charitable projects for her artworks. Read her blog, Frogglerocks on her beautiful life up in the boonies.

I was so happy to be with friends and basic soap chemisty classmates, Cat and Chicho :) I loooove being a student again. In life, learning never stops! 

After a lecture on the chemistry behind coldpressed soapmaking (no cooking involved!), Ana then brought us indoors to choose our essential oils and other natural additives. Bodyfood soaps aren't cheap. It is because all of the ingredients are so premium. She uses distilled water, essential oils, pure raw honey, shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, golden jojobal oil....the list of amaaaazing things she has in stock can go on. These things cost a lot. We were taught not to uses (synthetic) fragrances in making soaps because...why would you (lather fake stuff on your skin which absorbs into your body?) 

Ana compares soapmaking to cooking. If you use good ingredients, then the outcome is nothing short of wonderful. Which is what all of her soap creations are, masterpieces.

Gigantic block of Shea Butter and Raw Honey with Honeycomb in bottles!

I chose a Chamomile-Lavender-Geranium blend because I am drawn to flowers that have healing powers. The feminine energy in me this week is strong! Ana had lavender flowers which she had ground up to be used in my soap mixture.

For lunch and merienda, Vitty and his wife prepared salad, pasta (from scratch!), roast chicken, and Tita Emma made a yummy mango-chia seeds in coco cream dessert. We also had fresh iced tea and delicious dayap cake. (Ana!!! I can't stop thinking about this!)

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching our soap mentor do her magic. She chose a decadent chocolate and cocoa butter soap with other divine additives -golden jojoba oil, argan oil, virgin coconut oil, ginger, tagetes/marigold flower tincture.

Look, she expertly does the layering trick to the soap block! I hope to be able to do the same one day soon :)

Viola! My final product is a sight to behold! Look at the gradient coloring, proof that this soap was make with fine natural ingedients. All I need to do is wait until July for it to cure properly before my family is able to relish all of this goodness. For now, we enjoy the scents it has brought into our bedroom. Pure love, made by my own hands. Perfection!

For product updates and future workshops with Ana of Bodyfood, please follow her on Instagram @anagutch. I might just see you in one of her family's DIY gatherings!

A Classic Remedy: Ricqles Peppermint Cure Drops

Just before leaving Hong Kong a few weeks ago without being able to purchase myself anything, I kinda panicked at the airport and bought myself a bottle of the most interesting thing I could find -Alcool De Menthe De Ricqles!

I am certain of one of my past lives as an herbalist or doctor or witch. Here is another addition to my collection of all-natural cures!

What the packaging reads:

This is the authentic product made from France.

Use it to help your digestion, relieve stomach pains, combat fatigue, prevent or help cure, colds, soothe headaches, cool the skin as an antiseptic. 

Relief of dizziness, headaches, motion travel sickness, nausea, blocked nose, stomach aches, combat fatigue, cools the skin

Directions: Adult - Oral 3 times daily 7-8 drops each time. 

Children - Oral 3 times daily 2-3 drops each time. External use - to apply on affected skin areas.

Ingredients : Alcohol 80%, Peppermint oil 1.32%, Distilled water

Because it's been so so hot in Manila these days with news predicting 'This will be the hottest day of the year at 40 degrees", I've been using the Peppermint drops in my water to save my body, mind and soul and I must say that it's effective in cooling down my system. I love that it is also safe for children, and both internal and external use - wow! This will come so handy for my travels :) I will definitely bring this with me wherever I do!

Can You Live A Day Without Shoes?

TOMS is a respective shoe brand that has gained recognition not only for its products, but mainly because of its unique business model which focuses on corporate social responsbility (CSR) which is quite admirable. It's simple, with every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need, One for One.

Up until May 21, join me as I celebrate the global campaign of TOMS by Instagramming your bare feet with the hashtag #WithoutShoes to give a pair of shoes to a child in need. No purchase necessary! Let's go barefoot at the party! Woohooo!

Flow In The City this May 16 at Top Shelf, Fullybooked BGC!

Fully Booked and Aura Athletica present, Flow In The City, a one-day yoga and wellness event on May 16, 2015, Saturday, 10am – 8pm at Fully Booked Topshelf, Bonifacio High Street, BGC.

Spend a full day trying different yoga styles with Monica Manzano and Aisa Winternitz, explore movement with Poi and Hoops by Flow Arts Philippines, kickstart your journey to health at the Green Smoothie Workshop with Jertie's Kitchen, get crafty at the Tie Dye Workshop with Arielle Guevara, learn to heal illness naturally at the Homeopathy Workshop with Denise Celdran, shop from natural, eco-friendly and local brands and sample healthy eats and treats! Connect with like-minded individuals, celebrate yoga, wellness and good health!

Energy exchange: P750 (inclusive of 2 workshops)

A portion of the proceeds will go to Childhope Asia Philippines

Choose your own workshops:

List of participating healthy and lifestyle merchants

More details at our Facebook event page. Register at www.flowretreats.com and get a chance to win a 3D/2N stay at Second Wind Bed, Bunk and Breakfast, Boracay. All participants also get a gift pack from Aura Athletica and other sponsors.

Limited slots only per workshop so secure them ASAP!