“Do you know Hippocrates?” a woman named Liz asked me between sweaty yoga sessions. We were on a Bikram yoga retreat organized by Liz in the glorious emerald mountains of Vermont.
I paused and racked my brain. Should I know Hippocrates? Is Hippocrates an exciting new form of yoga? Could this have anything to do with medicine and the Hippocratic oath?
“No, I do not know Hippocrates,” I stammered, very much wishing I did. Maybe I just needed a little prompting, or Liz was about to reveal some divine piece of yogic scripture that would forever change my life and relationship with Bikram yoga. In fact, none of my theories were accurate. She turned to face me and said, “You should go. You would love it. It’s a little extreme, but maybe that’s why I know you will love it.”
Two weeks after returning to Chicago and armed with a natural curiosity, a yearning for “wellness,” and Liz’s recommendation, I began the somewhat laborious process of securing myself a one-week stay at the Hippocrates Health Institute (HHI) in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The standard “Life Transformation” program is three weeks long, but I applied for an exception which was fortunately granted.
Prior to my arrival at HHI, I did very little research. Liz’s word seemed good, and I am keen on adventure. I was not worried at all. For me it was simple: I was very much looking forward to getting out of the cold Chicago air, eating some healthy food, and doing some yoga.
Founded in Massachusetts in 1956 by Ann Wigmore, HHI is a nonprofit offering a variety of programs intended to holistically prevent, combat, and solve a wide range of bodily ailments, including cancer. HHI offers classes on a range of subjects like sprouting seeds, meditation, Qigong, and yoga. The common thread in all HHI programs is adherence to a strict dietary regimen. The explanation for both the name of the institute and its approach is clarified on the HHI website, which claims, “As a fifth-century B.C. Greek physician, Hippocrates treated the body as a whole, not just a series of parts, and taught a natural healing process centered on a wholesome, natural diet.”
If I had done some research, I would have also discovered that the word “controversial” seems to best describe HHI and its inextricably intertwined current owner-operators, Brian and Anna Maria Clement. On the one hand, hundreds of positive testimonials about the place and its ability to reverse or manage disease has resulted in a large, international following of devotees. On the other, they have endured multiple bouts of extreme allegations over the years including promoting ineffective treatment and ethical violations.
Everyone’s story was unique, but their rationale was similar. People were there to heal, some from minor ailments, others from a more severe diagnosis. I ran into one man who was in remission for multiple sclerosis for most of his life and credited HHI. Another lady from Copenhagen who had been in a horrific accident and was bedridden for years, was back for her third stay, crediting the healing of her spine and neck to her prior two visits. Notably, I was one of only three people I met who, like me, were staying “just” a week. Many were on their third or fourth stay at HHI.
What I Learned
Minus some diarrhea on the second night, which was no fun, by the end of day three, I felt significantly lighter. By the end of day four, I felt relaxed and clear-headed. When I got to the airport to head home, my vision of food had drastically changed. I realized that the airport barely had any alimentary offerings not banned by HHI. At its core, HHI proffers the idea that poor nutrition is the root of all physical ailments. They don’t propose treatment plans for specific disease—like cancer, obesity, or autoimmune disorders—rather, they believe healing starts from the inside, and proper nutrition is key in effectively treating all physical ailments. Meals at HHI are entirely free of allergens, which allows the body to “reset.”
With a healthy diet, HHI asserts, you create a solid foundation free of toxins which naturally provokes health and wellness. HHI touts profound results for some who are suffering from serious illness, and I believe it. I also believe that every person is different, and results aren’t guaranteed. During my stay, I heard so many inspiring stories. If somehow all of the healing is the result of a giant placebo effect, may the effect last forever and continue to be shared throughout the world.
Later, we were split into groups and ushered over to the wheatgrass hut. Wheatgrass contains a number of nutrients like vitamins C, E, and K. That said, there is a lot of public debate about its health properties. Cynics say it is no healthier than other green vegetables. HHI paints it as a miracle elixir. Either way, it certainly couldn’t hurt to consume. Juicing wheatgrass can be a very messy process if you are not careful. Luckily, the hut was made specifically for this purpose. Large refrigerators with neatly stacked trays of freshly harvested wheatgrass were situated on one side of the room. Sinks, grinders, pestles, and other assorted instruments to assist in the juicing process were on the other. It was simple; I loved it!
