Hitting The Books

[Bunny Berry]

Have any of you gone back to school to learn more about nutrition, wellness, coaching, etc? I am enrolling in a couple of programs since I am pretty sure I don't want to go back to building websites for a living. I'm going to start out with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and see how that works out for me. I'm enrolling today to take advantage of a $1500 discount.

So, tell me your stories. Where did you go to school. Was it worth it? I'm a believer in lifelong education, so I'm sure IIN will only be my first stop. How about you? Where do you want to go?

[kali]

I have thought about going to IIN many times, but something keeps holding me back. I have my BSN in nursing, but stopped nursing 5 years ago when it became to conflicting w/my natural/holistic thought processes. I also have my LMT (massage therapist) and am a yoga instructor. I have also taken many a seminar in alt health and am a certified clinical aromatherapist. Since I have healed myself of so many health challenges, through nutrition and alt. healing therapies, the importance of nutrition is something I talk w/all my clients about. Totally love my career and as you can see I am still serving others, but this time also helping myself.

[robyn]

I never did finish college and figuring out what I wanted to be when I grew up has been a long time coming. Over the last couple of years I have become a Certified Reiki Master, a Certified Herbalist and am finishing up my certification to become a Flower Essence Practitioner. I think you are entering a wonderful phase in your life Bunny. Sometimes it takes something seemingly catastrophic to get our paths in line to where we really need to be. You started this community for a reason Bunny and it is coming clearer as to why. Good luck to you.

[Bunny Berry]

I am now officially enrolled! I hope I get a student ID so I can get cheap software. :)

[Elaine]

Go for it Bunny!!!! Yep, I think about this often, currently I'm considering the Associate Chef program at Living Light Institute....I think I just might take the leap:-)

[mango]

never when to school my son is now and wow i love to go to just go and learn someting i am a total book nuts so bunny where are u going

[BlueIsis]

Go Bunny Go!.. You've got our support. :)

[Littlewolf]

Yep..but in a broader way..will be starting an Bsc Environmental management course and studying forest gardening/permaculture, the food thing..well theres tonnes on the internet and to be honest it comes down to really simple things, fresh raw organic food..thats it really....

So I want to learn how we can all produce it easily and via aquaponics and permaculture...;) and feed our families and make our budgets go further and our nutrition improve.

All I need now is a better paid job and a back yard to plant my own things in !! LOL....

[Debi]

Yeah Bunny! You are going to love the program!!!

[Amie Sue]

My husband and I leave on Thursday to attend Living Light Raw Culinary School. Funny enough we complete a culinary education in chocolate last Fall. Always craving education!

[Pamela L. Reilly, Naturopath]

You go, girl!! I have one question: What's your secret and how did you manage to create 48-hour days?!? You're amazing and inspiring!

I've been studying natural health and getting different certifications for over 20 years. The "biggies" were the Certified Natural Health Professional from Trinity College. I highly recommend this program! I'm also just a few months away from offically being able to put the letters "d" and "r" in front of my name when I finish a naturopathic doctorate program.

Congrats on wanting to learn more and having the courage to take the steps to do it! Rawk on and have fun!

[Barefoot Artist]

I'm such a big nerd. I just love going to school & I'm always in some sort of class. I have 3 college degrees and would be a professional student if I could. I have been looking for years for the right school for my PhD, but have yet to find the right program. I love to research and study everyday. I am dangerous around libraries because I'll just come up with a research project for myself
Good for you Bunny! Isn't it awesome to be a lifelong learner? I always say I could love to be a million years old & I still wouldn't be finished with all the learning that I intend to do.
Way to go!!!

[Cindy]

When I was 17 I moved into a raw foods vegetarian community. I learned a lot there. It was after reading Viktoras Kulvinskas book Survival Into The 21st Century so I was building off of that inspiration.

A few years later I took several 6-week residential courses at the Alive Polarity at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in Murrieta California, they have since changed hands. During these courses I learned Dr Stone's Purifying Diet, HealthBuilding etc and how to flush my gall-bladder, cleanse the colon, do energy bodywork.At that time I was a participant and a client.

When I finished those I wanted to learn to be a facilitator so I took the three-month residential Holistic Pracitioner Course to become a Polarity Therapist. Polarity Therapy utilizes bodywork, diet, exercise and awareness-counseling for a holistic approach. Dr Stone was a vegetarian and a meditator--a naturopathic doc and chiropractor who also traveled studied traditional Chinese as well as Ayurvedic medicine and put it together in his own way. He was German-heritage fella with great big hands, a booming voice and the Dutch uncle bedside manner, the country doc. He'd really get in there with people I didn't study directly with him but several of the teachers had.

I have gone after that style and know it to be eclectic. I've not seen two same Polarity Therapists since. But anyways, I was going to say that (I should frikkin post this to my blog it's long enough hey? ;)) but that studying and being in community ALWAYS has for me helped integrate info into my routine and daily life.

I enjoy residential learning especially when it comes to cleaning up one's diet. Living at the Farm (even tho it's a cult and I don't recommend it anymore and they aren't raw or vegan I don't think anymore Zendik) was helpful in ways and i loved living at the Polarity Folks' place Hot Springs (which come to think of it had its own set of scandals but oy what can you do right Bunny?). We had buffet veg meals three xs a day, hot springs, bodywork and got to process, get our feelings out in a safe place with centered loving people to teach us and support us on a day by day basis. We had eachother to watch grow and change through the process. It's so ammaaaaazing!

Later most of my education has been with the craniosacral and such.

I'm about ready to make some cakes though huh!!! Seriously, Bunny, I think I might try my hand at it. After Raw Union and those delicious cakes by Solla and Chayva (sp?) I'm ready to try it. AnyPhyo used to cater here in Portland but she has since moved. I should get her recipe book and start making stuff then cater!!! Yay!

A class would probably help me too. Even though I think I've seen it all, I'm always surprised. I've got to set my ego aside and learn from this whole new generation of raw foodists!! OKAY!! Kewl! ;)

Total congrats on your decision to hit the books. I think it's a great plan. *hugs*