Another critical component of Classical Education is the formation of the whole student; body, mind and soul/spirit. The curriculum selected, the methodology of instruction, and every other aspect of Classical Education is intentionally cultivated with the development of the whole scholar as its core.
This idea stems from Ancient Greece. They believed in the idea of 'gymnastics and music.' In other words, the body helps to shape the soul/spirit and mind while the mind and souls shapes the body. A nurtured body nurtures the soul, and a nurtured soul nurtures the body.
So how does Classical education form the whole student?
Firstly, is through rigorous academics. Classical Education seeks to inspire wonder and love learning that results in the desire to pursue truth. Rigorous academics not only teach our students how to be life long learners, but it develops virtuous habits such as diligence and perseverance. Students learn to embrace struggle, accepting that the learning process requires diligent effort for the sake of their growth.
Secondly, is through physical activity. Hozho Academy's Arete Wellness program is dedicated to this very idea for forming the whole student in the pursuit of excellence. Students develop disciplined, healthy habits that nurture their bodies, and in turn, strengthen their mind and spirit. There have been countless studies done that show the positive influence physical activity and eating nourishing, healthy foods, has on students.
The formation of the whole student is a critical piece of education, because it creates a balance. A physically adapt child who does not pursue knowledge and academics, may become physically strong, but will grow to be a rather ignorant person and lack many of the virtues and disciplines needed to maintain a healthy regimen. Likewise, an academic scholar who devotes his or her life to studying, but never takes care of themselves physically, will lead to an unhealthy lifestyle and a weakening of the body. What use is knowledge if the student does not have the energy, or does not live long enough, to do anything with it?
Classical Education seeks to shape students who excel in whatever they choose to do, whether that is go to college, enter a trade school, go into the workforce...etc. The formation of the entire student is necessary for this, for if a scholar learns to strive for excellence in their day-to-day habits, physical and academic, they will be able to do so every day, for the rest of their lives, anywhere they are.
