Taruna College New Zealand is a centre for Adult Education offering an exciting range of formal and informal holistic courses and subjects inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner PhD. such as: Waldorf Teacher Education, Biodynamic Organic Agriculture, Anthroposophical Nursing, Art of Health and Coaching and Biography Workshops.

Programme Outline

Overview of the themes covered over the three year of the programme:

The Diploma in Holistic Healthcare (Anthroposophical Nursing Aotearoa) is a three year programme which includes as its first year the Certificate in Holistic Healthcare. The first year is open to qualified health professionals who meet the entry criteria and Years Two and Three are restricted to registered nurses.

Overview of the themes of the Programme

Anthroposophical Perspective - Health and Illness  
• Illness as destiny and karma
• Thresholds of birth and death
• Fundamental physiology
• The four bodies of the human being
• The 4 elements/temperaments
• Pathology of the four fold
• The three fold processes of the human beings
• Soul activity – thinking/feeling/willing
• Pathology of the three fold in polarity
• The 7 life processes
• Soul types
• Organs as archetypes
• Pathology of organs
• The 12 senses
• Embryology and human development
• Evolution of consciousness
• Seven year phases
• 0 – 21 years – physical development
• 21 – 42 years – soul development
• 42 – old age – spiritual development

Anthroposophical Nursing Context
 • Life journey – past, present and the future
• Awakening to ‘Self’
• Healing streams
• Approaches to health and illness
• Healing through rhythm
• The inner path and the Nurses’ Meditation
• Encounter / conscious meeting
• The gesture and quality of the therapeutic relationship
• Nursing archetype
• ‘Self’ as therapeutic tool

Anthroposophical Nursing Practise
 Healing Substances:
• Medicinal plant families
• Qualities of healing plants
• Oil formation processes
• Pharmaceutical warmth processes
• Metals/minerals
• Mistletoe therapy
• Nutrition

Clinical Practice:
• Phenomenological observation towards reflective practice
• Nursing support and intervention through the lifespan
• Creating therapeutic space
• Establishing therapeutic community
• Practice management across health settings
• Planning and implementation
• Multi-disciplinary collaboration
• Advocacy and education

Clinical Treatments:
• Substance compresses, inhalations, footbaths
• Rhythmical body oiling
• Hydrotherapy
• Organ massage and pentagram therapy