Living A Natural Life

My niece recently graduated from high school. Not just any high school—Waldorf Sacramento.

If you're not familiar with the "Waldorf Way," it's an educational philosophy that emphasizes whole-child development through academics, the arts, nature, and experiential learning. Classrooms extend beyond four walls. In fact, each classroom has its own outdoor space, like the one pictured above. Students tend gardens, help care for farm animals alongside a farmer, and spend a significant amount of time learning outside. It truly is a magical place to receive an education, and my niece was fortunate to spend her entire school career there.

Over the years, she shared stories of class adventures that sounded more like treasured life experiences than assignments. There were camping trips where students prepared every meal over an open fire, historical reenactments held outdoors, and, most recently, a weekend at the beach where they gathered in "appreciation circles." During these circles, each student shared what they appreciated about every one of their classmates.

At graduation, those words came full circle. As each graduate was introduced, the administrator read the qualities their classmates had used to describe them. Every student was then given time to publicly thank the people who had helped shape their journey. It was heartfelt, genuine, and deeply moving.

I've visited the campus twice—once when my niece was just two years old for a mommy-and-me class, and again for her graduation. I still remember that first visit, when one of our activities was simply taking a walk through the gardens and visiting the animals. Sometimes the simplest experiences leave the greatest impressions.

Following the graduation ceremony, students served fresh fruit and vegetable skewers—likely prepared by fellow classmates—and homemade lemonade, which I wouldn't be surprised if it was made from lemons grown right on campus.

Yes...it felt like a utopia for education.

And yes...I recognize that it isn't accessible to everyone. Northern California's climate makes year-round outdoor learning possible, and the tuition places it beyond the reach of many families. Even during the pandemic, the school didn't transition to remote learning—they simply moved everything outdoors.

While not everyone can attend a Waldorf school, I think there are valuable lessons all of us can incorporate into our daily lives.

1. Spend more time in nature. There is tremendous value in simply being outside. Fresh air, sunshine, changing seasons, and allowing our nervous system to adapt naturally to temperature changes all contribute to our overall health and resilience. While it's important to protect ourselves with sensible sun exposure and natural insect repellents, human beings were never meant to spend nearly all of their lives indoors.

2. Eat whole, seasonal foods. The foods we eat directly influence how well our bodies function. Nature has an incredible way of providing what we need when we need it. During the summer, foods like cucumbers and watermelon naturally help cool and hydrate the body. Whenever possible, visit local farms or farmers markets and enjoy foods that were grown close to home and harvested in season.

3. Find balance instead of constant acceleration. One of the things that impressed me most about Waldorf education was its balance. My niece studied calculus, but she also learned drawing, painting, music, and other creative disciplines. She became known for illustrating her class notes, and classmates often asked to borrow them because her drawings made complex concepts easier to understand. The curriculum wasn't built around relentless pressure or endless testing. Instead, it fostered curiosity, creativity, and thoughtful learning—while still preparing students for outstanding universities, including UCLA and Tufts University.

4. Consider acupuncture as part of a natural approach to health. No, acupuncture wasn't discussed during my niece's graduation—but the philosophy behind it felt remarkably similar to the philosophy of the school. Both recognize that health and well-being are about the whole person, not isolated parts. Acupuncture doesn't simply chase symptoms; it looks for patterns, relationships, and underlying imbalances. It works with the body rather than against it, encouraging its natural ability to heal.

Perhaps that's what resonated with me most about Waldorf Sacramento. It wasn't simply educating students to earn good grades or get into prestigious colleges. It was helping them become thoughtful, creative, compassionate human beings who understand their connection to nature, to one another, and to the world around them.

In many ways, that's a lesson all of us can continue learning—long after we've graduated.