163: Deep Wellness - Science, Spirit & Community with Sarah Hutchinson

In this episode, Sarah delves into the integration of scientific principles with spiritual practices in nature-based education, highlighting a holistic approach that nurtures both mind and soul. She discusses how scientific research informs our understanding of developmental stages from childhood to adulthood, complementing spiritual growth. Nature is portrayed as a bridge between scientific inquiry and spiritual exploration, offering transformative experiences. Sarah explains how combining scientific insights with spiritual practices can turn life's challenges into opportunities for self-understanding.

The episode also explores the role of mindfulness and meditation in development, supported by scientific findings. Furthermore, Sarah emphasizes the enhancement of community through a dual lens of science and spirituality in education. Practical advice is offered for incorporating these elements into nature-based learning. Finally, Sarah shares promising new discoveries and practices that point towards the future of nature-based education.

Meet Sarah:

Sarah was born in Boston in 1954 between two hurricanes. In third grade, inspired by her teacher Mrs. Wamsley,  Sarah won a prize at her school for a bird's nest collection. Her  family lived in the forest in Dover, Massachusetts, next to the 1,200 acre Hale Reservation which, rain or shine, was her playground and sanctuary. In addition Sarah's  grandparents had a summer home on Narragansett Bay where she roamed freely, feet cut by barnacles, eyes stinging with salt water, hundreds of sunburns, ticks and poison ivy, Sarah loved it all.

Sarah sailed across the Atlantic at age 17, then took to the mountains as an instructor for NOLS and Outward Bound.  Her inherited skills as a teacher blended with her love for the outdoors as she made her way across the American West and Alaska taking students of  all ages into the alchemical opportunity that nature based adventure, and education, provides.

In 1976 Sarah was couch surfing in Lander Wyoming, waiting for winter to pass so she  could get back out into the field with a paycheck. To pay her bills, Sarah took a paid training course at the local hospital to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. A kind and competent RN took Sarah under her wing  and encouraged her to consider nursing school.  

Sarah graduated in 1979 as an RN. Her love for nature merged with the health sciences as she  stepped into the best career she can imagine. In her 46 year career as an RN Sarah has worked in rural healthcare clinics, regional hospitals, schools and third world countries. She has worked as a midwife, ER Nurse and Critical Care Nurse and everything in between.  Raising three children and 12 hour hospital shifts was a recipe for burn out. 

This is when Sarah found yoga as a potent stress management tool. Yoga led her to its sister science, Ayurveda, the oldest healthcare system on the planet. Sarah now combines modern medicine with the time tested wisdom and science of Ayurveda to teach deep wellness. Deep wellness is a protective state of body, mind and soul that can be present even when we are challenged by poor health and aging. She is a multi-certified yoga, Ayurveda and meditation teacher, Enneagram Coach and grandmother to three adventuresome growing children. She lives on the skirt of a mountain in Western Colorado with thousands of acres of National Forest a few miles up the road.  

Connect with Sarah:

Website: https://yogabeyondtheposes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogabeyondtheposes/

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• The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE Membership
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• Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck

Mentioned in this episode:

Exploring Nature in Spring Masterclass

Exploring Nature in Spring Masterclass (receive all 4 seasonal courses when you enroll!): https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/exploring-nature-in-spring-masterclass/