After a series of lawsuits and investigative reports in the 1980s, it ceased operations. As of 2006, there are many new LGATs offering Lifespring trainings or trainings based on their concepts. Observers have made comparisons between Lifespring and Werner Erhard's Est training.

What is est training called now?

The last est training was held in December 1984 in San Francisco. It was replaced by a gentler course called "The Forum," which began in January 1985.

What is the est program?

est was a form of Large Group Awareness Training, and was part of the Human Potential Movement. est was a four-day, 60-hour self-help program given to groups of 250 people at a time. The program was very intensive: each day would contain 15–20 hours of instruction.