IHHS History and Background

 

 

The Beginnings


Holistic Health (HH) and the Institute for Holistic Healing Studies (IHHS) evolved out of a courses taught through the Center for Interdisciplinary Science (CIS) at San Francisco State University. Established in 1974, CIS was a pioneering effort exploring new interdisciplinary perspectives in physical and biological sciences in the then School of Science. The founding Director of CIS, Dr. George Araki initiated two courses in holistic health in 1976, "New Approaches for Health and Self-Regulation," and "Research Seminar in Holistic Health." These courses introduced the new field of biofeedback which became an early catalyst for interest in holistic health. Dr. Erik Peper, the present Director of IHHS, taught both courses. By the spring of 1978, other health and healing themes were included and seven courses on holistic health were offered. The success of these courses led to a large and memorable multi-section course taught by six instructors in the summer of 1978. The continued popularity and demand for holistic health courses led to a commitment to develop a program in this area which further led to the development of a Minor in Holistic Health (Spring 1981) and the establishment of the Institute for Holistic Healing Studies (Fall 1986) and formation of the Holistic Health Certificate (Fall 1991).

 

HH Program


From the beginning the HH program emphasized the inherent healing capacity of the individual which could be brought out through specific healing methods and skills in the context of holistic principles. Early HH courses focused on mind-body interactions, spiritual healing, cross cultural perspectives on health, birthing and dying, theoretical frameworks of non-conventional healing approaches and training in specific healing systems. The courses fell broadly into three general approaches to health and healing (click on each for a brief developmental history): Western Perspectives, Eastern Perspectives, and a Holism and Human Nature . Three courses derived from these different cultural and conceptual perspectives provide today's core HH curriculum. These core courses combined with optional courses of study allow students to complete HH Minor and Certificate programs. The Holistic Health courses were well enrolled through the early years of IHHS. When General Education revisions occurred in 1981, some of the courses became part of the GE program. This change created an even greater demand for HH courses. At the height of the HH program, the equivalent of 5 full-time faculty positions were employed.

The Holistic Health courses were well enrolled through the early years of IHHS. When General Education revisions occurred in 1981, some of the courses became part of the GE program. This change created an even greater demand for HH courses. At the height of the HH program, the equivalent of 5 full-time faculty positions were employed. See past faculty.

IHHS has also served the university and larger community by offering many self-care workshops for faculty and staff and by sponsoring several noteworthy conferences and symposia. These have included:

• Taoist Systems of Healing (Conference)

• Taiwanese Traditional Chinese Medical Doctors (1987)

• Biofeedback/Relaxation Training (Sessions for Staff and Faculty)

• HIV, AIDS, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference (1994)

• Acupressure Massage Hour (Sessions for Staff and Faculty)

• Holistic Health Speaker's Series (since 1996)

• Holistic Health Careers Day (1997–2002, exploring alternative

   health care professions, with SFSU Career Center Job Fair, 2002-)

• Western Healing Practices for Japanese Health Professionals

• Press Freedom and Alternative Media Conference (Spring 2002, Co-

   sponsors: Project Censored, Sonoma State Univ.; SFSU Journalism) 

• Tao of Healing: Energetic Perspectives of Self-Care

• Healthy Computing (since 1993, see Home page menu for details)

• Biomimicry - Innovation Inspired by Nature (Fall 2001)

• Pathways to Peace and Cultural Evolution (Fall, 2002)

• Exploring Frontier Science and Body Energies (Spring 2003)

• Rejuvenation Through Aware Movement/Feldenkrais (Spring 2003)

• Ghandi-King Season of Non-Violence (annually since 2003)

• Healthy Foods and Farms (Spring 2004)

• Future of Medicine Conference (Fall 2004)

• Future of Health Care Conference (Fall 2006)

• Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence (Spring 2007)

 

Students

 

Numerous students have taken HH courses, over 26,000 students in close to 30 years of course offerings - making this one of the largest holistic health programs in existence. Most of the students take classes for personal development and enrichment as part of GE requirements or simply as free electives. Many students speak of the meaningful nature of HH courses and a significant number complete either the Minor or Certificate program. Some students prefer to create a Special Major based on HH courses. Other students go on to graduate programs, health-care professions or health-related business and education careers with the values and skills they have developed from holistic thinking and praxis.

 

A number of students have collaborated in research studies performed in the Biofeedback and Self-Healing Laboratory and are co-authors on scientific papers and presentations. Five students have achieved first place in California State University Student Research Competition for their HH research. For more information see: Student Projects on the website menu.

 

 

Holistic Health Learning Center

 

 The Holistic Health Learning Center (HHLC) was founded in Spring 1995 by faculty member Kenn Burrows with a start-up grant from the Instructionally Related Activities Fund with a mission to organize and make accessible reliable information about the growing field of holistic health. It opened its doors and began a student internship program in 1995-96. Originally it was located in Hensill Hall, 713; it is now located in HSS 329.

 

Over the years the Center has developed into a comfortable learning environment with a unique, user-friendly organizational system and a broad collection of books, journals and audio and video tapes. Although it boasts over 5000 books, tapes and DVD’s, it is more of an activity center than a library. The Center sponsors topical study circles, The HH Speaker Series and various public events. It is a place where interdisciplinary thinking, cross-cultural studies, alternative health careers and student-directed projects all come together.

 

The Center also houses the IHHS Biofeedback and Self-Healing Laboratory used for student biofeedback training and research as well as “Healthy Computing” studies.

 

HHLC is staffed and operated by student interns who act as guides and peer advisors for anyone with career, research or health-care questions. Interns have great learning opportunities as they explore health care alternatives and develop collaborative leadership and team building skills. See the HHLC website for further information.

 


 

Administrative Location

 

 In the early years, the program (IHHS) was well endowed in the School of Science. However, starting in 1987 and continuing for several years, the university faced statewide budgetary cutbacks and severe reductions occurred. In the Fall of 1993, IHHS faced the possibility of cutbacks and chose to relocate to the Department of Health Education in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Leisure Studies (HPERLS) which later became the College of Health and Human Services. This move stabilized the Holistic Health program and set the ground for future development in a valued partnership within the Department of Health Education.

 

 

Founder George Araki Retires - Celebrating 24 years of HH

 

October 26, 1999, marked a milestone for this program as faculty, staff, students and friends gathered to honor IHHS founder Dr. George Araki for his many years and achievements at SFSU. For photos and condensed remarks of this historic event click here.