The Nelson Experience
Nelson is located in the West Kootenays, part of the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada.
After considering a variety of possible locations for Integral Life Institute (ILi), we have settled on Nelson with a big integral YES! Why? It is one of the most progressive, innovative and friendliest small towns in North America and Europe that we know of. It has an incredibly rich artistic and music scene going on. It is situated amidst stunning mountain and lake scenery – food for body and soul. It is progressive and innovative in approaching community development, and is being branded as a learning community. Nelson is already home to a number of alternative schools for children, youth and adult education such as: the Waldorf school, a Montessori preschool, an Academy of Oriental Sciences, Kootenay School of the Arts, and the Kootenay Art Therapy Institute.
Nelson also has an abundance of organic food, cool people, theaters, bands, dance and yoga studios, retreat centers, outdoor adventure activities, trendy restaurants, and serene beauty and wildlife just a few steps away: all making up part of what locals and tourists have come to call “The Nelson Experience”. It is the kind of place that inspires, invigorates and integrates you as a human being.
Nelson is embedded in a unique larger community and bioregion, which is home to many creative and innovative individuals with a rich variety of skills in fields such as alternative building and energy production, permaculture, sustainable forestry, and homesteading.
While the town and area will certainly benefit ILi in many ways, we are equally excited by the positive impact ILi will have on Nelson and the surrounding bioregion. Next Step Integral will offer public lectures and workshops by cutting-edge thinkers, activists and artists brought in to teach at ILi. The students will also be involved in personal research projects in direct collaboration with and service to the Nelson community in the realms of education, social and environmental issues, health, economy, business and integral lifestyle.