What does the word Satya mean?
Satya is Sanskrit, which is the classical literary language of India and used in Hinduism. Satya translates in English to genuine, effective, and honest. Mohandas Gandhi used the word satya to name his self-sufficiency movement, Satyagraha, which translates to "truth action”. The Satya Method demonstrates a way of educating, which is genuine and based on sincerity.

Who uses the Satya Method?
The Satya Method is used by anyone who facilitates learning, including parents, teachers and therapists. The Satya Method is a perfect technique for teaching uncommon practices because its accepting and open approach allows for even the most intimidating subjects to be inviting. The Satya Method is also ideal for teaching ordinary topics because it transforms the mundane into intriguing journeys of discovery.

How do parents benefit from the Satya Method?
Parents are educators. Parents teach their children many techniques and ideas such as how to take care of their bodies, how to communicate in the family unit, how to resolve conflict and how to clean their room. But most of all, parents teach their children what they have come to believe is the best way to do things.

If you are a parent, you will be interested in the Satya Method’s de-emphasis on lecturing and increased focus on facilitating learning experiences. Its partnership approach to learning is also an essential part of parenting and will add to any existing family dynamic. Furthermore, you will be amazed by how well their children respond to art projects that support what you teach. And most enlightening of all, the self-transformative experiences gained while using the Satya Method are not limited to teachers. These self discoveries are also experienced by parents who incorporate Satya Method principles into their parenting style.

Do all seven principles need to be applied?
The seven principles of the Satya Method work together to create a passionate learning environment; however, facilitators do not need to use all the principles. Each element brings its own unique perspective to the learning process. You might decide that using all seven, produces a successful inspiring experience for the child. Or maybe you will only integrate a few into your existing routine.

Does the Satya Method have a religious affiliation?
No, the Satya Method is not based in any religion. However, this teaching and parenting approach includes meditation. These short and easy meditations are effective tools facilitators use to create lesson plans and find deeper meaning in their relationship with their students/children. Whether you have never meditated before or already have an established meditation practice, the meditations are simple to learn.

How do I learn how to use the Satya Method?
If you are interested in learning how to integrate the Satya Method into your parenting or teaching practice you can participate in our training and/or certification program. We offer three series of classes, "Introduction to the Satya Method", "The Child" and "The Power of Teaching (and Parenting)." These classes are given via teleconference or in-person workshops. Learn More

Can the Satya Method be used in conjunction with self-guided curriculum?
Yes. The Satya Method does not offer a curriculum nor does it suggest who decides what will be taught. This empowers the administrators to choose who guides the curriculum, whether it is the state, school administrators, teachers, parents or students. However, the Satya Method does provide teachers with techniques for creating inspiring projects and activities for facilitating learning experiences.

How does the Satya Method compare to other educational philosophies and approaches?
Below the Satya Method is compared to four models of education - the traditional model of education used in public and parochial schools, the Montessori approach, Waldorf education and the democratic Sudbury model. The Satya Method is not a model that is designed to stand on its own, but instead is created to be integrated into the facilitator’s present approach, including these below.

Traditional Education Model
The Satya Method is similar to the traditional education model because both use lesson plans, which serves as an outline for what will be taught. This plan can include hands-on activities, art projects, visual aid ideas, prepared questions and comments for the teacher and a list of supportive books and resources.

The Satya Method differs from the traditional education model because the Satya Method lesson plans are dedicated to the child’s experience. In fact, the Satya Method refers to these lesson plans as "Experience Plans." Traditional lesson plans center on learning new information that will be tested later. Using the Satya Method, teachers assess the child's understanding and abilities during group discussion, not through testing.

Montessori Approach
The Satya Method is similar to the Montessori approach because both encourage freedom of will and expression, spiritual development and self responsibility. The Satya Method differs from the Montessori approach because Satya Method facilitators view working with children as a spiritual practice. Like any spiritual practice, with the proper tools teachers experience self transformation, heightened awareness and inner peace through their teaching experience.

Waldorf Education
The Satya Method is similar to Waldorf education because they both view art and creativity as an effective way to inspire learning, encourage a child to find meaning and create a space for self motivated learning. The Satya Method differs from Waldorf education because Waldorf education, like most models, offers a schedule for introducing topics to the child. The Satya Method does not offer such a schedule.

Sudbury Model
The Satya Method is similar to the democratic Sudbury Model because both approaches encourage self motivated learning. These approaches differ from one another because the Sudbury model offers a democratic process through which students make decisions about rules and other functions of the school. The Satya Method does not offer such a solution, however does train the facilitators/leaders/teachers to use a self reflective process which helps the facilitator learn from conflicts that arise and how to find resolution that honors everyone involved.

Are there any schools for children exclusively using the Satya Method?
No, there are no schools at this time based around the Satya Method. Most of our students are parents who use the approach to better understand their relationship with their children or educators who integrate this method into their teaching.

How did the Satya Method originate?
The Satya Method was conceived by Sarah Wood, a former teacher and hypnotherapist. Ms. Wood’s teaching experience helped her better understand how to inspire children of all ages to learn. Furthermore, her work as a hypnotherapist allowed Ms. Wood to become an expert in guiding adults to overcome fears, end de-habilitating patterns and find purpose. This combined experience gave her the background she needed to teach parents and educators how to look within for answers, transform through teaching and become more conscious and effective leaders.