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What Are Holistic Institutes?
Definition…
MyPersonalGrowth.com, through various
sources, has been able to identify about 16 holistic institutes based in the
United States that offer a broad variety of self-improvement courses, workshops,
and training. Some are urban centers and others are residential retreats.
(Altogether, there are several hundred smaller retreats and centers in the U.S.
offering some self-improvement courses, especially courses in yoga, though most
of these organizations have smaller enrollments and limited classes in more
specialized areas. Thus, the distinction between an "institute" and a "center"
or "retreat" is often difficult to define precisely.)
Many of these institutes' courses are geared toward
Eastern religious teachings related to yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Zen, holistic
medicine, and other techniques, although a substantial number of them do cover
“staple” areas such as weight loss, addictions, improving relationships, and
stress management. Courses encompass both physical and spiritual topics.
Some centers or institutes resemble
accredited colleges or adult education programs, rather than
facilities that offer individual self-improvement courses. The
Naropa Institute is one such organization where the attendees are
actually students. Most of the institutes are non-profit
organizations that are supported by monetary gifts, course fees,
annual memberships of varying price levels, and their own
bookstores. For example, the New York Open Center (a 501 C
non-profit organization) reports that 75% of its $3.4 million budget
comes from registration fees and the bookstore, while private
contributions make up the difference.
Directors we interviewed agreed that this market is
“growing up.” Things like holistic expos, angels, and crystals are
out—practitioners with real credentials that can give people what they want in a
short program, imagery, and self-healing are in. In addition, for today’s
time-pressed consumers, one-day programs are frequently more popular than
two-day or lengthier ones.
As for pertinent trends, in addition to “staple”
self-improvement workshops related to stress management, wellness, improving
relationships or communications skills, weight loss, meditation, etc., most of
the institutes have expanded into more spiritual areas (herbs, yoga, Tai Chi,
Buddhism, Zen, natural and holistic health/medicine). Other growth areas
mentioned were: improving relationships, sexuality topics, retreats, and
whole-brain learning.
These institutes do adapt their offerings to the
social and economic times. For example, new courses have been added in such
current relevant areas as: building wealth, truth in dating (online dating web
sites have been a hot topic but controversial due to dubious accuracy of
profiles posted by many singles), and work-family balance.
Marketdata estimates that in 2009, 138,000 people attended
programs in the 16 major holistic institutes, versus about 117,200 people in
2007. This represents a two-year increase of 17.7% (or an 8.8% average annual
rate). Back in 2005, approximately 103,000 people attended courses at the 17
identifiable U.S. holistic institutes/centers. The group of 11 centers that did
provide attendance figures for 2009 had a combined group increase of 21.5% over
two years. This can be compared to about 101,000 in 2003, and 98,700 attendees
back in the year 2000. Consequently, attendance has grown by 36.6% over the past
six years (or 6.1% per year, on average).
The Omega Institute, Kripalu Center, and the Esalen
Institute are “destination” facilities, where people attend for a vacation or
fun experience. Others, such as the New York Open Center, are more urban centers
that fit more into the category of continuing education classes.
An examination of these institutes’ current print
or online catalogs reveals a wide variety of courses, not only related to
self-improvement topics but also including spiritual, esoteric, dance, poetry,
music, writing, marriage and family issues, relationships, and other
non-self-improvement areas. The New York Open Center’s personnel indicate that
perhaps 40-45% of their course offerings are directly related to
self-improvement topics, with the remainder falling into the spiritual and
esoteric areas. This is typical of most of the other institutes as well.
A brief definition of some of the most commonly
taught techniques pertinent to the field might be in order. The following list
is by no means all-inclusive.
Tai Chi...an
ancient form of Chinese exercise which emphasizes man’s relation to gravity and
centeredness.
Right brain/left brain research....has
shown that half the brain is more logical and oriented toward facts and reason,
while the other half is more creative and intuitive, so exercises have been
developed for allowing the creative part of the brain to function better and
more easily.
Gestalt....emphasizes
the present moment and what is happening now within a person, so that one is
aware at a given moment of who he/she is and what is happening within. Gestalt
work is also based on the idea that we have many parts in conflict with each
other.
Transactional analysis...is
a structure for seeing oneself and contacts with other people through a
framework that both simplifies and makes more apparent what is happening.
Fees…
Programs vary widely in length, and therefore also
in cost. A person may attend a one-evening, three-hour workshop for $30, a
one-day program, a weekend retreat, or a five-, seven-, or ten-day residential
program or retreat. Facilities can vary from spartan to nearly luxurious. A
stay at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health may cost $225 per night, while
some one-session classes at the New York Open Center can cost as little as $20.
(The typical program cost at the New York Open Center is closer to $50.)
Meanwhile, the "average" self-improvement course at the Omega Institute is
around $400.
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