World Wellness Weekend (WWW) is fast approaching and with it: good health and wellbeing for all. From September 18 to September 19, the pro-bono event will see hotels, spas, fitness clubs, yoga studios and hot springs around the world joining one another to organize safe, fun and free wellness activities and programs.
With its fifth iteration, the WWW will also experience a few extra changes. For one, this year’s event will be a hybrid celebration. This way, those who are staying at home in cities where COVID is still present will be able to travel the world with videos, tutorials and talks with the potential for some immersive 360-degree videos.
This year will also have the introduction of wellmap.org (a geolocator presented in 16 languages). Using the immersive map, visitors to the site can find highlighted “wellness champions” (professionals and individuals who go above and beyond to inspire and empower local communities) and attend wellness activities they are hosting (you can check out the detailed Country updates here).
The Five Pillars of Wellness
Since 2017, the World Wellness Weekend has promoted 5 Pillars of Wellness that can be experienced at hospitality and fitness venues around the world: Sleep and Creativity; Nutrition and Immunity; Movement and Vitality; Mindfulness and Serenity; and Sense of Purpose and Solidarity.
“Wellness is not just a decision you take to improve your mental and physical health: it is also an act of influence to inspire those around you to become the best version of themselves,” says Jean-Guy de Gabriac, founder World Wellness Weekend and international wellness advisor since 2001.
In the wake of the pandemic, it is more important than ever for people to have access to healthy lifestyles. While having certainly put a spotlight on disease prevention tactics, COVID-19’s lethality when it came to comorbidities, as well as the stress placed on people the world over, highlighted the importance of living well.
COVID-19 has received much due spotlight, however the issues of obesity, diabetes, sedentarity, opioids, mental health, insomnia and chronic fatigue still remain huge concerns affecting the world over, and many have only worsened over the years. And, while many stand as complex issues to tackle, healthy lifestyle choices could still help save millions of lives each year.
That is why for WWW, hospitality groups and iconic venues are reaching out to local communities to share hope and enthusiasm with millions of people who suffer physically, mentally or emotionally. Outdoors (or online) fitness classes, sunrise or sunset yoga sessions, mindfulness or nutrition workshops (hosted at no charge) will inspire and empower millions of people to enjoy more vitality and serenity with friends and family.
Participating Bodies
With all the activities and programs planned, organizations and individuals the world over (in 982 cities to be exact) are aiming to “make healthy easy” this World Wellness Weekend.
Sixty international professional federations, Ministers of Health, Sports and Tourism and 30 Mayors in Brazil, Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), France (Marseille), Italy (Florence, Val di Fiemme), Quebec, are supporting almost 2,000 venues and encouraging people to live as well as possible this year.
In addition, a large assortment of iconic groups and properties will be hosting many great wellness-based activities at their facilities, some of which include the Ritz-Carlton, Six Senses, Four Seasons, Terme di Saturnia, WTS International, Rancho La Puerta and Waldorf Astoria.
Celebrating World Wellness Weekend in the US
While the WWW website will provide a comprehensive list, here are some additional, local examples for participants in the US.
Nationwide
WTS International and Lifestart On Demand are rolling out a remarkable nationwide “Wellness Summit” with in person activities and online classes (see full program attached):
- Meditation for Grounding with Kimberly Dunn
- Full Body Weight Workout with James Towns
- Vinyasa Flow with Julianne Aerhee
- Happy Hour Flow with Robert Sanchez
- HIIT Refresh with Hannah Sperry
- Self-facial with skincare expert and Spa Director Angela Brady
California
Glen Ivy Hot Springs: Sound bath meditation, Aqua Fit, Aqua Tone, Meditation, Yoga, Face Yoga, Live Music and more.
Terranea Resort (Rancho Palos Verde) : virtual seaside yoga session.
Florida – Paradise Coast
Peggy Sealfon, WWW Ambassador in Florida, author, speaker and co-founder of BeWellinParadise.com, will coordinate in the Naples area:
- Swamp walking on the edge of the Everglades at Big Cypress Preserve,
- A “taste of qigong and yoga by Love Yoga Center practitioners at Hyatt House Naples,
- Yoga on the beach followed by a healthy smoothie at Edgewater Beach Hotel,
- A fitness boot camp class with Max Flex Fitness,
- Plus Spiritual Communities Network will offer “wellness talks” accessible from anywhere in the world about frequency and how to use it, all about essential oils and meridian magic.
Northeast Coast
Brick Bodies (with the support of IHRSA and the John Brick Foundation for mental health) will offer fitness classes in 3 locations I the Baltimore area:
- Padonia (Sat. 9/18: Aqua Boot Camp, MetCon Bootcamp, RPM, BODYATTACK, TONE, BODYPUMP, Zumba. Sun 9/19: Power Ride, HIIT Cardio+Core, Fusion, Mat Pilates, Step Intervals, Restorative Yoga
- Rotunda (Sat. 9/18: BODYATTACK, RPM. Sun 9/19: BODYPUMP, SPRINT, Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Sculpt)
- Reisterstown (Sat. 9/18: BODYPUMP, BODYATTACK, Step on Up, TONE. Sun 9/19: RPM, BODYFLOW, BODYPUMP)
West Virgina
Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins: Yoga, Massage, Piyo, Nutrition , Life Coach, Riverside Hike and Mediation, Mountain Top Hike, Fly Fishing