Experience Community at the 2008 Inner IDEA® Conference

The first annual Inner  IDEA gathering, held 2 years ago, embodied mindfulness from the opening ceremony to the close. This wellness conference included  fitness opportunities and was more like a retreat than a convention. Where other industry events were primarily action oriented, the Inner IDEA Conference emphasized inner wellness along with movement, encouraging  participants to take a deeper look into themselves as they explored  the cutting edge of mind-body-spirit health.

“The response was amazing right from the beginning,” recalls Peter Davis, Inner IDEA co-founder. “We found that many of our members wanted an opportunity like this to immerse themselves in the study and practice of wellness on all levels—and they wanted to connect with other people who had the same passion and intention.”

The second Inner IDEA event was also a huge success, and both events earned a record-breaking satisfaction rating of 97%. Inner IDEA had quickly become something of an industry phenomenon, but perhaps more importantly, a community was born.

“Participants tell us that one of the things they love the most is the feeling of being part of a community,” says Kathie Davis, co-founder of the event. “Inner IDEA gives people the time and space they need to really make connections with each other. They get to know each other. They share their personal stories, their experiences and challenges with clients, and their vision for a more integrative approach to health and wellness. Everyone is on a personal path, but for the 3 days of Inner IDEA, attendees really get to share the journey together.”

That was the inspiration for this year’s theme, A Community in Motion. “We’ve discovered that this is a very motivated, dedicated, powerful community of people,” says Peter Davis. “They are leading the way into a new era, and a new consciousness about what being healthy really means. They are creating an exciting force of knowledge, creativity and compassion that is already having a powerful impact around the world.”

Education, Celebration, Personal Journey
The 3rd annual Inner IDEA Conference will return to the beautiful, secluded desert sanctuary of La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs, California, September 11-14. The event will again be an immersion experience that engages all five senses through ritual, nature, movement, meditation, visualization, music, silence, the power of spirit and much more. Throughout the 3 days, the emphasis will be on a noncompetitive, nonjudgmental environment and a culture of acceptance that honors the needs and interests of individual participants.

The heart of Inner IDEA is its innovative and eclectic program of more than 150 diverse sessions on groundbreaking topics in wellness.

“This is our biggest and strongest program ever,” says Marcia Hayes, programming director for Inner IDEA. “This has become the premiere industry event for in-depth study of mind-body-spirit topics, and we are drawing top names in the field to present on our faculty.”

What makes the Inner IDEA experience so rare—and so highly rated by its participants? The answer is presence. Each Inner IDEA session and instructor is selected for effectiveness in providing a mindful, balanced experience that acknowledges and uplifts mind, body and spirit. The Inner IDEA curriculum challenges existing paradigms with cutting-edge topics and research.

Here are some highlights:
Pilates. Look for the newest trends and developments in the Pilates field. You’ll find more sessions than ever before, both reformer and mat, for beginner to advanced, for mainstream and special-interest markets. Expect the latest equipment, leading instructors and the most innovative techniques from STOTT PILATES®, Balanced Body®, Peak Pilates® and more.

Yoga. Enjoy everything from restorative yoga to inversions; from laughing yoga to yoga and sound healing; from strength training to yoga therapy–and much more, encompassing all styles and skill levels.

Nia®. Choose from a wide range of NIA programs, including sessions that focus on movement, healing techniques, sounding (blending voice and breath) and awakening the sacred athlete within.

Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis®. Explore introductory sessions for both individual and group training.

Integrative Movement. Pick from creative programs that include “Buddha Camp,” chakra study, tai chi, qigong, Feldenkrais®, stone therapy and many more.

Mindfulness and Meditation. Participate in labyrinth meditations, mindful walking, a moon meditation and other awareness-enhancing activities.

Health, Nutrition, Research & Wellness. Learn about the latest wellness research trials; strategies to enhance fat metabolism and weight loss; relaxation techniques; and more.

Business, Careers and Lifestyle Coaching. Join sessions on mind-body-spirit wellness career planning, spiritual aspects of business, how to become a brilliant facilitator, the Tao of negotiation and other professional and business development topics in the holistic health field.

Additional highlights include:

• Opening ceremony with keynote presenter Patrick Gentempo and a meditation with Swami Veda Bharati.
• A faculty of world-renowned presenters dedicated to the principles and practices of holistic wellness.
• Presentation of the second Inner IDEA Inspiration Award, this year honoring the community outreach efforts of Silver Age Yoga in San Diego, California.
• Community events that include the welcome reception to meet old and new friends, the opening ceremony to inspire your experience, five unique meal experiences that emphasize conscious eating and community connection, special Friday evening moonlight sessions, and closure at Sunday’s final session.

Make the Inner IDEA Conference 2008® an integral part of your strategy. Located in Palm Springs, California, September 11-14, 2008, this invitation to transformation will be rich in program diversity, offering you the opportunity to explore many different types of education alternatives. The 2008 conference brochure and schedule is now available online. Register now [link], as space is limited.  Download the 2008 conference brochure (PDF).