The Facilitator: The Erosion of Teaching in the Wellness Industry
If you have been active in the wellness industry as long as I have, you would never be short of surprised by what the big brothers and sisters of this industry can come up with to make gullible people buy their latest product.
In recent years, the wellness industry has adopted a new term: the “facilitator.” From yoga studios to wellness retreats, popping up on social media profiles, resumes, class descriptions, and workshop titles with increasing frequency, facilitators are now a common fixture in the industry. Yet, what exactly does it mean to be a facilitator, and how does it differ from being a teacher or instructor?
The Evolution of Roles
To understand the rise of the facilitator, it’s essential to explore the evolution of roles within the wellness industry. Traditionally, individuals were classified as either teachers or instructors, each with distinct responsibilities. Teachers imparted knowledge, drawing on years of study and practice to educate their students. Instructors, on the other hand, led by example, demonstrating techniques and offering guidance based on personal experience.
However, the advent of the facilitator represents a departure from these traditional roles. While teachers and instructors focus on education and guidance, facilitators prioritize creating an environment conducive to exploration and discovery. They are less concerned with imparting knowledge and more focused on entertaining participants.
At its core, the role of a facilitator is to entertain. Whether leading a yoga class, a breathwork session, a cacao ceremony, or a mindfulness workshop, facilitators focus on creating immersive experiences that captivate participants. While there may be educational elements woven into these experiences, the primary objective is to entertain and engage, rather than educate and inform.
Marketing Tactics or Genuine Evolution?
The proliferation of facilitators in the wellness industry begs the question: is this trend driven by genuine evolution or clever marketing tactics? Some argue that the rise of the facilitator is a natural response to changing consumer preferences, with participants seeking engaging experiences over traditional education. Others, however, see it as a marketing ploy, allowing unqualified individuals to justify their lack of expertise.
While facilitators may excel at creating entertaining experiences, the question remains: are you the consumer getting what you pay for? A breathwork class led by a facilitator may be entertaining for an hour or so, but what do participants truly gain from the experience?
Are facilitators equipped with the knowledge and tools to help you continue on your wellness journey outside the confines of their workshop? Are they truly leading the way toward inner change and personal growth, or are they just like a DJ at a rave party, simply facilitating a moment of altered consciousness that will make you forget about your life dilemmas for a short while before you have to face them for the rest of your sober life.
Seeking True Growth in an Era of Instant Gratification
The rise of the facilitator in the wellness industry reflects a broader shift towards entertainment and instant gratification. In prioritizing entertainment over education, the wellness industry runs the risk of sacrificing substance for style while facilitators risk diluting the very essence of the practices they claim to represent.
In an era of instant gratification, where quick fixes and superficial experiences reign supreme, it’s more important than ever to seek out authentic opportunities for growth and transformation. While facilitators may offer entertaining experiences, true growth can only come from dedicated practice and study.
As consumers, you have the power and right to demand authenticity from the wellness industry. Unless hyperventilating to blackout to the beats of electronic music or drinking cacao to the sound of a drum were what you were looking for, by seeking out teachers and instructors who prioritize education over entertainment, you can ensure that your journey of personal growth is rooted in depth, inherited knowledge, and authenticity rather than superficiality and instant gratification.
By holding facilitators accountable for their offerings, you can help steer the industry towards a more authentic and meaningful future instead of conveniently covering up for the inadequacies of having to properly train skilled teachers or instructors.