A secluded intentional community focused on macrobiotic living and alternative education.
Ionia is an intentional community located in Kasilof, Alaska, known for its emphasis on macrobiotic diets, cooperative living, and alternative education. With roots dating back to 1976, the community was established by a group of families seeking to create a self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyle centered around principles of natural living and holistic health. The group adheres to a strict diet primarily based on whole grains, vegetables, and fermented foods, inspired by the macrobiotic philosophy developed by George Ohsawa and Michio Kushi.
The community operates without reliance on modern medicine, instead prioritizing natural healing methods, diet-based health practices, and communal support. Members cultivate much of their own food and avoid processed ingredients, animal products, and artificial substances. They also practice a cooperative decision-making process, with no single leader directing the community.
Ionia is known for its emphasis on raising children in a natural, screen-free environment. Parents educate their children outside of traditional school systems, favoring experiential learning, hands-on activities, and communal child-rearing. The community also rejects mainstream consumer culture and technology, maintaining a simple, rural lifestyle.
Over the years, Ionia has received both praise and criticism for its unconventional practices. Some former members have spoken out about the strict dietary and lifestyle expectations, claiming that the community’s approach to health and education can be rigid. However, current members defend their way of life as a conscious alternative to modern society’s reliance on processed food, technology, and institutional education.
Ionia remains a relatively small but enduring community, with members continuing to promote their principles of cooperative living and natural health. The group occasionally engages with the broader public through outreach efforts, workshops, and publications on macrobiotic living and sustainable practices.
image via Alaska Magazine
