
Since the closing ceremony of the Inner IDEA Conference, attendees have been sharing their thoughts on the conference and how it positively affected their personal and professional lives. Here are their experiences, in their own words:
"I enjoyed the people, excellent presenters, and the special uplifting energy throughout the entire conference. The quality of presenters did not go unnoticed—all were leaders or founders of their specialties."
-Lindsay O'Reilly
"Inner IDEA creates a feeling unlike any other fitness convention out there. It transcends fitness into wellness, and becomes more of a college campus where everyone is majoring in 'energy work' of all types. From the included silent breakfasts to the special openings and closings, Inner IDEA really addresses where the industry is now and where it's heading tomorrow."
-Lawrence Biscontini, MA, Inner IDEA Presenter
"The sessions I attended at Inner IDEA had a huge impact on me. They taught me new skills, they shifted my perspective and I experienced some powerful breakthroughs. I also really enjoyed the facility, how organized the event was, the food, and the vibe of the awesome Inner IDEA team."
-Kraig Ward
"What I enjoyed most about Inner IDEA was the overall freeing, opening and nurturing experience. With the new tools I learned, I feel like I understand myself better and will be able to more effectively steer my students inward."
-Rebecca Tennant
"I have attended two Inner IDEA conferences and they have been the best conferences I have ever attended. The location and facilities were great, the smaller number of participants per session was a real bonus, and every session I attended was of immense value. Excellent job by the organizers. I can't wait for next year's conference!
-Inner IDEA Attendee
“Inner IDEA is a unique event. I am pleased to say that I have learned so much from the peace-filled presenters and attendees that I have met. I learned that I have the knowledge and wisdom to affect change to so many individuals and groups.”
-Maria O’Neal
“I so enjoyed my time at the Inner IDEA Conference. This was my first conference ever and my first Inner IDEA experience. The staff was wonderful, the location was beautiful and the experience is one that I will never forget.”
-Inner IDEA Attendee
"From the first moment to the last, Inner IDEA was truly transformative. As a first-time presenter in 2007, the conference was not only a dream come true, but also an incredibly positive learning experience. Inner IDEA was definitely a highlight of 2007 for me."
-Lee Lipton, MA, Inner IDEA Presenter
“I’m so happy that Inner IDEA was created. The mind-body emphasis has been my focus for the last 9 years of my 21 years in the fitness industry. I’m thankful for this opportunity to learn more. The expertise of others from this conference has kept me excited, inspired and continues to help me grow!"
-Karen Farina
"The supportive community and A+ presenters is what I enjoyed most about Inner IDEA. I came away with 5 new directions to explore as I left this experience—thank you for helping me see my capacity to expand as a teacher."
-Inner IDEA Attendee
“I was impressed with the quiet environment, and the sense of belonging from a community of instructors who share your dreams and visions. I am very grateful for my experience at Inner IDEA.”
-Karen Hughes
“Thank you for taking a chance and creating Inner IDEA. I greatly appreciate this new forum that allows professionals to explore wellness in a truly holistic fashion. You have created an environment that fosters a healthy way of ‘being’ for movement professionals and eventually, their clients.
Here are the highlights of this conference for me:
• the warmth of the attendees and their deep desire to enhance the wellness of others (as well as their own);
• the facility, including the extraordinarily friendly staff, the beautiful rooms, the comfortable beds, healthy food and gorgeous grounds;
• the breadth of presentations;
• the opening ceremonies; and
• the perfectly organized event—I know I can count on everything running smoothly.
It was pure joy presenting and attending this conference. Thank you so very much.”
-Lorna Francis, PhD
“I was very impressed with the caliber of presenters. There was an excellent blend of credentials and experience. What I told everyone when I returned home, was that the presenters had big brains and equally big hearts.”
-Inner IDEA Attendee
"I am amazed at what I discovered, not only around me, but within myself. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend Inner IDEA. I have learned so much and have practiced those teachings daily; sharing them with all those I come in contact with. Thank you for making me a better person."
-Danette Allen
"From the first moment to the last, Inner IDEA was truly transformative. This conference was not only a dream come true, but also an incredibly positive learning experience. Inner IDEA was definitely a highlight for me this year."
-Inner IDEA Attendee
"The knowledgeable instructors and their energy and love for wellness was astounding. I enjoyed being able to absorb different workouts and styles from my classes. Also, I was excited to leave Inner IDEA having met many new, good friends."
-Angel M. VanDerveer
"I love the Inner IDEA conference! I hold 2 masters degrees: Sport Science, Fitness & Health, and Holistic Studies. It is the perfect blend of my two worlds and I can't wait for next year's conference!"
-Inner IDEA Attendee
"Inner IDEA has created an environment which allows us to learn more about ourselves and our purpose in life, as well as the celebration of our uniqueness. I am thankful for my experience and would like to see Inner IDEA held more often than once a year.
-Amy Lurvey-Anfinson
“Thank you for such a lovely weekend. I enjoyed myself, learned a lot and grew both professionally and personally. I couldn’t have asked for a better time than the one I had, and I wanted to share something I thought others might find interesting. I noticed there were a lot of crickets around. In my room, in my fireplace—they sang me to sleep each night. I came home and looked up crickets in my Animal Speak book by Ted Andrews and just had to share the following with you. I hope you find it as fascinating as I did.
‘In China, grasshoppers and crickets were symbols of good cheer, good luck, abundance and virtue … there is about to be a new leap forward … life only becomes difficult when [you] refuse to move. Remember a grasshopper [cricket] always leaps up or forward. It doesn’t leap backward.’
Have a very happy year taking forward leaps and listening to the Inner IDEA voice—yours! See you next year.”
- Lisa Ungerer