Michael Gauthier

About Me I’m 62 years old, with deep roots in the environmental and regenerative farming movements. I’ve worked in permaculture, started a farmers market, and have spent years as a yoga teacher and sound bath practitioner. I’m a Kundalini yoga teacher and leader in that field, currently living in the Black Hills of South Dakota. A few years ago I went through a divorce, and I’m now exploring relocation — looking for my people: those living in harmony with the land who also hold a spiritual practice, where I can contribute the full range of skills I bring. I care deeply about raising consciousness on the planet and bringing health and wellness to both people and the earth — I consider myself a water protector, and the environment matters enormously to me. I love teaching and education in general. I’m organized, comfortable with social media and administrative work, though what lights me up most is the deeper work — teaching, healing, and helping communities thrive. What I’m Looking For A 3-month work-trade opportunity, ideally December 26 – February 27. I can offer: Yoga and meditation instruction Farming, harvesting, and food prep Administrative support

The Research Lab is a new space for connection, exchange, and inspiration, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and students interested in ecovillages and regenerative communities. Our intention is to create a vibrant laboratory where we can learn from one another, strengthen collaborations, and advance collective knowledge. 📅 Date: Wednesday September 23rd🕓 Time: 10:30 Brazil / 13:30 UTC / 15:30 CEST (1.5 hour) Zoom link: https://unibas.zoom.us/j/61404061682   Register Here: https://unibas.zoom.us/meeting/register/io_jg3SJQGqRAaIi0eXazw Transitions towards the pluriverse: Place, difference, alliances and autonomy in two Latin American ecovillages Presented by Dr. Rebeca Roysen Professor at the Graduate Program in Tourism and Hospitality, Co-leader of the Sustainability Transitions and the Pluriverse of Alternatives (TranS-PlurAL) research group, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Brazil This study proposes an alternative analytical framework for sustainability transitions research by drawing on critical scholarship on grassroots innovations and post-development studies. Rather than focusing on scalable innovations and socio-technical regime change, it introduces the concept of Transitions Towards the Pluriverse (TTP)—a bottom-up, decolonial, and context-sensitive approach that recognizes the diversity of transition pathways and places local communities and grassroots innovations at the center of transformations. Through two case studies of Latin American ecovillages, Dr. Roysen explores four key analytical dimensions—place, difference, alliances, and autonomy—to examine how ecovillages promote (or sometimes fail to promote) transitions towards the pluriverse. Whether you are an experienced researcher, a practitioner, or a student beginning your journey, you are warmly welcome to join us. We look forward to learning, exchanging ideas, and building this community together. Recent publications by Dr. Rebeca Roysen Roysen, R., Pereira Prado, M. M., Bruehwiler, N., Kos, L., & Koehrsen, J. (2026). Transitions towards the pluriverse: Place, difference, alliances and autonomy in two Latin American ecovillages. Sustainability Science. Roysen, R., Ayala, D. H. F., Ramos-Mejía, M., Kos, L., Bruehwiler, N., & Koehrsen, J. (2026). Replicating grassroots innovations in the Global South: A case study of ecovillages for marginalized groups in Colombia. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. Roysen, R., Fagundes, G. M., Kos, L., Bruehwiler, N., & Koehrsen, J. (2025). Building a World-Ship: A decolonial approach to just energy transitions. Human Geography. More information: Ecovillage Research Global Ecovillage Network 

COSTA RICA ECOVILLAGE TOUR January 16–24, 2027 | Machuca Valley Experience Costa Rica’s established ecovillage movement Spend nine days exploring some of Costa Rica’s most established intentional communities and regenerative neighborhoods. Visit communities including Alegría Village, La Ecovilla, Colectivo Tacotal, Ecovilla San Mateo, Saint Michael’s Sustainable Community and Dos Colinas, and meet the people who are creating new ways of living together. This itinerary offers a close-up look at what community life is really like—from governance and shared spaces to education, permaculture and everyday life in Costa Rica. With a comfortable pace and a mix of community visits, nature and local experiences, it’s an excellent introduction for anyone curious about joining an intentional community, relocating to Costa Rica, or simply seeing what community living looks like in practice. A great fit for: First-time visitors, families, prospective community members, and anyone looking for an accessible introduction to intentional living in Costa Rica. Learn more about this tour: https://www.ecovillagetours.com/costa-rica

In a busy city, it’s easy to forget that people have always found ways to live closely together, with each other and with the land. Around the world, communities are quietly remembering how. Join us for an evening of stories from people who have spent their lives building community. From the hills of Aotearoa to rural Thailand, they’ll talk about how their communities began, what has held them together, what they’ve learned from indigenous wisdom, and what keeps them going when things get hard. This isn’t a how-to workshop. It’s a space to listen, be inspired, and reflect on what community, resilience and regeneration could mean for you. You will hear from Robina McCurdy, founder of TUI Community, Aotearoa (New Zealand) Thalea Tane, indigenous advocate (Te Roroa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Whakaue), Aotearoa Om Sunisa Jamwiset Deiters, founder of Gaia Ashram, Thailand The talk is hosted by the Team at Global Ecovillage Network Oceania & Asia (GENOA): Thảo Kin (Vietnam) and Na Limwatana (Thailand)