OHI: A Unifying Experience

Greetings OHI community; here's wishing you long and lovely days as we enter the summer season. The extra hours of daylight beckons us outdoors where we can become one with nature to brighten our spirits and expand our consciousness.

Unity is an excellent way to create community. When people come together in shared interests and intentions, the result can be powerful. In this article I wish to continue our theme of unity by considering how we, the OHI community, are becoming one with each other in common purpose. 

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NIV

You may recall from our spring newsletter that I wrote about how the past four years fomented an unprecedented division among people everywhere, and that it’s now time for us to focus on finding harmony and community again. We looked at how community creates a blanket of security because the group is always willing to provide assistance, resources, and empathy to those who need it; and how we can unify because we have more in common than we realize. In this article, I will highlight the way unity is established through the OHI for Life Body-Mind-Spirit program, fostering strong connections among members of the OHI community

OHI's Unifying Culture

At OHI, we have developed a supportive culture that is woven through our OHI for Life Body-Mind-Spirit program. It's hard to explain until you've actually experienced it, but when our guests go through our many activities and classes they form a deep bond with one another. As they learn healthy eating and exercise for their bodies, camaraderie develops. They see each other's struggles and develop an empathy that feels new because they recognize they've found a fellow traveler - someone who is seeking more from life.

The program begins with learning how to eat wholesome, cleansing foods that help restore physical health. Dr. Psyche Williams-Forson, professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, observed, "It is often in and around food that we find camaraderie and unity. There are few events where food does not provide physical, spiritual or emotional comfort. Food can also reveal tensions and differences and be used as a tool for healing and wellness."

At OHI you'll join a cohort of like-minded people to learn when and how to fast; the value of raw foods; how to optimize digestion by combining certain foods and fermenting others; how wheatgrass juice will cleanse your cells and purify your blood. Plus you'll practice gentle exercise and walk every morning which stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins, boost the immune system, and contribute to the healing process. And that's just the beginning.

Our classes and activities, such as journaling, self-reflection, positivity, mindfulness, and mental detoxification, are designed to help you uncover your purpose and enhance your life. By understanding how your beliefs, thoughts, and emotions can impact your health, you'll be able to improve your mental and emotional well-being. Our guests, missionaries, and staff all work together to support each other in reaching the level of change they are ready to achieve. The daily work seems challenging at first, but the unity and fellowship that develops helps them over the hurdles. This creates a powerful sense of belonging within the OHI community.

Our Alpha, Conscious Breathing, and Vocal Toning classes help establish a natural flow of energy through your body while creating harmony from inside out that improves your spiritual growth, health and wellness. We follow a way of spiritual development of becoming whole in theological discipline that enables a seeking of the Holy Spirit within. Our guests have roots in many different and varied faiths and religious experiences, from all histories and traditions, we learn from one another. We believe that each of the faithful seeks oneness with a Higher Power.

The experience of unity culminates with our You Validation class where guests get to experience the practice of giving and receiving gratitude. For many this is a deeply touching moment as they've never before felt what it's like to receive genuine admiration and acknowledgement of their efforts. It can be life changing.

OHI is not all seriousness and work; we also sow unity with fun activities like our Friday Night Live talent show. The cumulative effect is an amazing familial feeling that everyone walks away with.

Our unifying culture is more than just going through the OHI program; it's about joining with supportive people who work together in learning the tools and teachings we can integrate into our daily lives for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As our guests attend our classes, the differences among them become less important. They realize that everyone has come with a need to heal on some level. As they progress through the classes and activities they make soulful connections and know they have each other's backs.

OHI's safe and sacred culture and environment is designed to create a transformative and unifying experience that enables us to achieve optimum health.

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV

When a community has unity, everything runs better and more gets done. Unity fosters cooperation; people feel a sense of responsibility and commitment to one another that enables them to address and resolve common challenges and opportunities.

OHI is a place where we lift one another up and help each other. We celebrate with those who are celebrating, and we grieve with those who are grieving. At OHI no one has to face what they are going through all alone. OHI exists as a support system for everyone in our community. We encourage each other, and know that we can share what is going on in our lives without fear of judgment.

OHI is Built on Unity

Now we are creating more unity within OHI. Our two locations in Austin and San Diego share one program. The difference is that Austin is a smaller, more intimate, and quieter setting while San Diego is larger, has more people, and is more lively. Many of our guests have tried both locations and have their favorites. Starting in 2024, we will have facilitators from each of our locations to visit and teach in the other. This will help integrate both of our locations and keep them connected.

Also in 2024, we are focusing more on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube) because it is important to connect both in-person and online. We are encouraging all guests, missionaries, and staff to unite in our online community by posting photos and comments to help us all stay connected with the full OHI community.

It is my sincere belief that OHI can spread our special unity to the world at large. Our community at OHI vibrates unity and leads by example when we show love and caring wherever we go. When we walk about in joy and confidence, we radiate a positive influence that people recognize and want to share in, and to be a part of. When that happens we have an opportunity to be a witness for the OHI program and its values and mission of unity. We in the OHI community are perfectly positioned to spread a powerful message of unity outward to the world.

What’s New at OHI

Over the past few months, we have been busy making enhancements to our program and facilities in both of our locations. We have introduced pricing programs for guests who stay three or more weeks or, as well as a rewards program for guests who refer their friends. We have trained more facilitators so that we are now able to reintroduce the variety of classes and hands-on experience in our food preparation classes that were available pre-pandemic. 

In Austin, we have re-roofed the main building, replaced windows, refinished bathtubs, and restored the hardwood floors in our guestrooms. We have more wonderful news: Our beloved facilitators, Sheryl Haupt and Danielle Demko will return periodically to teach classes.

In San Diego, we have refurbished the furniture, spa, and decks in the Courtyard, painted building exteriors, installed new planters and irrigations systems in our organic garden, and refurbished the Courtyard guestrooms. But that's not all! Danielle Demko has returned to OHI San Diego on a permanent basis. And our beloved facilitators, Sheryl Haupt and Peg Harvey will return periodically to teach classes.

These are just a few of the exciting improvements we've made at OHI, and we can't wait for you to come and experience them firsthand! 

Come to OHI this Summer

Find your bliss and rejuvenate this summer in the peaceful relaxed atmosphere at one of our campuses. Our classes and activities are here to help you reset and revitalize your body, mind, and spirit. Schedule today, and experience for yourself the unifying culture at OHI. Be sure to book early – call us (800) 588-0809 to book your stay! 

Here's wishing you health and wellness in this summer season.

Yours in prayer,
Robert P. Nees, Jr.
Senior Pastor and Chairman
Optimum Health Institute of San Diego and Austin