World Wellness Weekend to take place in over 160 countries in September

The ninth World Wellness Weekend is taking place from 19-21 September in over 160 countries and 10,000 venues globally.

The not-for-profit event was launched in 2017 to make wellness activities accessible to a wider demographic.

Over the course of the three days, venues will open their doors to inspire the public to try new fun and inclusive classes with friends, family and colleagues.

This year’s event aims to establish September as the new January – the idea is that following the summer months, it’s the perfect time to get back to work or school, while getting into shape to look and feel as great as possible.

On 19 September, Pure Fiji cosmetics and Navutu Stars Resort will kick off the celebration in Fiji at sunrise, while on 21 September, Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kauai will officially close the event at sunset.

Online wellness sessions will also be available with World Wellness WebTV, including training sessions, inspiring talks, webinars and workshops, to empower people at home, and on the go.

Following in last year’s footsteps, the event also encourages participants to become a ‘#wellfluencer’, spreading the message of wellbeing to a wider audience.

This message centres on the five pillars of wellness: to sleep longer, eat better, exercise more, be more mindful and take better care of underserved communities.

World Wellness Weekend will also be highlighting wellmap.org – a map and geolocator that is available in 18 languages, and is designed to help consumers find free group sessions indoors, and recreational activities outdoors, offered by fitness clubs, yoga studios, spas, salons, hot springs, hotels, resorts and wellness centres.

“Wellness is a renewable energy that can light up the world,” said World Wellness Weekend founder Jean-Guy de Gabriac.

Irish participation 

This year sees the largest participation of hotel groups and spas supporting World Wellness Weekend. This includes 200+ Marriott International hotels, 126 David Lloyd Clubs and all Aqua Sana Forest Spas in the UK and Ireland.

Aqua Sana Forest Spa in Co Longford is hosting three activities over the three days. Sound Bathing sessions, where sound becomes your guide to relaxation and inner peace through soothing tones of Tibetan singing bowls, will take place at 12pm, 3pm and 6pm daily; Sleep Sessions, where you learn how to relax your body and calm your mind using guided breathing exercises and essential oils, followed by a relaxation ritual, will take place at 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm daily; and Discovery Sessions, where skincare experts will give wellness tips, advice on skincare routines and interactive demonstrations of how to apply popular products, will take place daily at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm.

Spas and salons can find out more about the initiative and the activities planned via the wellness map on the World Wellness Weekend website.

World Wellness Weekend has a number of country ambassadors, with the Ireland one being Tara Moore, head of spa operations at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort in Northern Ireland.