Transformative
Education

The world is rapidly changing, and, in an increasingly turbulent global environment, our educational outpourings need to change rapidly too, so that we can best prepare our students for the future.

The centrality of intercultural experiences, critical reflection, metacognition and empathy helps reduce prejudice in and through education allowing us the opportunity to explore the potential for creating changes to how we and our learners understand and act in, and with, the world.

Within every human being lies an extraordinary potential waiting to be awakened. From the moment you enter this world, you carry within you a unique blend of talents, passions, and dreams that are universal, and which you alone access in your life.

Recognising this inherent potential is the key to unlocking a life of purpose, fulfilment, and impact. This is the role of educationalists … teachers, consultants, stay-at-home moms, coaches, administration personnel, market influencers, and healers. Understanding your own potential, and that of a learner, empowers you to chart a path, to push beyond perceived limitations, and to pursue aspirations with unwavering determination. It fuels a journey towards self-discovery and personal growth, propelling most people you come into contact with, towards greatness.

But here’s a quick wake-up call. While academics are understandably proud of their 'outer' accomplishments in the fields of science, medicine, technology, and commerce, colleges and universities have increasingly come to neglect the learner’s ‘inner’ development: the sphere of values and beliefs, emotional maturity, spirituality, and self-understanding. Focusing on subject matter alone is a restrictive and non-comprehensive approach to higher education. Such a narrowly focused endeavour fails both students and teachers, and will impede the overall health and development of both. As educationalists we must cultivate the spirit of the individual learner, and the spirit of the subject matter to enhance the learner's inner lives.

There is a wealth of knowledge and lived experience in every room full of students. Students have dreams and aspirations and are willing to work to make the world a better place. They are part of a tribe who are all about upgrading the world. Yet, the spiritual development of college students has been largely ignored in our educational institutions, despite the importance of spiritual matters to young people in their quest to lead integrated lives.

The everyday teaching moments available to us as teachers, learners, parents, and a sangha (community members) must be drawn together to build transformative education. Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think. The intimacy that arises in listening and speaking truth is only possible if we can open to the vulnerability of our own hearts. Breathing in and contacting the life that is right here, is our first step. Once we have held ourselves with kindness, we can touch others in a vital and healing way.

At HIA we explore the transformative power of metacognitive thinking and equip ourselves with effective, versatile strategies. By donning our thinking caps and embracing diverse metacognitive approaches, we can empower our students to become active thinkers who navigate the complexities of learning with confidence and clarity.

HIA fosters smarter teaching and empowered learning by providing opportunities for developing student centred, collaborative, contextualised and integrated classrooms and environments to ensure our students are future ready. Over the last five decades of education, one of the most fascinating trends we have noticed is a measurable decline of religiosity, and yet the overall importance students place on spirituality continues to rise. Many learners meditate, discuss spirituality with friends, tell us that they are “searching for meaning and purpose in their lives” and report that their academic studies never provided them with opportunities to discuss the purpose/meaning of life.

Community is a mirror that shows you the person you can be and are becoming, even before you get there. Being in a community of intelligent, authentic and like minded, yet diverse people is exceptionally empowering. When the community is functioning well, you feel so safe, accepted, and cared for by a group of perfect strangers. Knowing that there are others here that you can identify with, learn from, and share community with is so impactful and can be carried with you in everyday life wherever you go.

The post-Covid world has graced the person of today with one key learning lesson: that health is the secret ingredient to life’s most fulfilling adventures. This has also impacted colleges, educationalists and teachers. The process of avoiding so much of our lives in learning and teaching, leaves many learners dissatisfied and thirsting for something deeper and more whole. For decades now, having understood and addressed this need, HIA and Shanti Yoga have progressively refined moving beyond the limited pedagogical approach, and embraced a comprehensive approach to higher education by combining mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing. We have considered the potential benefits of helping teachers connect better with ourselves, students, and the world.

Are you destined for a career change?

Is your fate to make an even more significant impact in the world?

Knowing your potential is crucial because it ignites a fire within you, a fire that burns brightly even in the face of challenges. It reminds you that you are capable of achieving remarkable feats and making a difference in the world around you.

Embrace the limitless possibilities that reside within you. Cultivate your strengths, chase your dreams, and never underestimate the power of your own potential to transform your life and inspire others.

If you have a deep commitment to personal growth, collective wisdom, and the evolution of consciousness, HIA presents an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for embracing holistic and integrative solutions. Join our transformative classes. Let us unite and collectively shape a future that embodies our innermost integral wisdom and embraces the full spectrum of human potential. Together, we can be the catalysts for the change we wish to see in the world. We hope to see you here.