On Saturday, June 10, 2023, Global Wellness Day (GWD) will celebrate its 12th anniversary honoring the idea of living well. The not-for-profit day takes place on the second Saturday of June every year. It is dedicated to inspiring people to think how they can live a healthier and better life.
Each year, GWD expands its reach, and this year is no exception with Belgium, Bhutan, Cameroon, Ghana, Mauritius, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Tunisia joining the celebration. All in-person and virtual events are designed to be educational, non-commercial, and complimentary.
Here are some of the highlights planned for GWD in 2023:
Ibiza – The Public Administration Consell d’Eivissa, in collaboration with Ibiza Health and Beauty and Ibiza Travel, is set to host an extraordinary GWD celebration at one of the most prominent music stages on the island: Hard Rock Ibiza. The event promises to be a grand affair with renowned local celebrities leading a series of masterclasses on fitness, Zumba, and BalletFit, among other activities.
Israel – The GWD Israel team has orchestrated a range of dance-centric activities in conjunction with esteemed local dance studios.
Italy – Bruno Lanfranco, president of FederSpa, has joined the GWD Italy team and has announced a collaboration with the Municipality of Turin, bringing together schools and dance enthusiasts in city squares. As part of this initiative, a network of Lindy Hop dancers will convene in 40 different cities across Italy. Additionally, the Davines Group and [comfort zone] brands will organize a range of wellness-related activities to support this non-profit day dedicated to living well.
Kenya – Kenya is set to celebrate its fourth GWD. The event will take place at Anzana Gardens in Nairobi and will include activities such as Zumba, meditation, and wellness checks for all participants. In collaboration with Aarti Chandarana, a one-hour fitness class merging dance and Zumba will be held to remind participants that dancing is a form of exercise and an essential part of improving mental health. The event is aimed at promoting wellness and healthy living and underscores Kenya’s commitment to creating a better, more vibrant society.
Mexico – GWD will be celebrated in various Mexican cities, such as Los Cabos, Careyes, Cancun, Oaxaca, Mexico City, and more. Activities will include traditional dances such as “Flor De Pina” alongside sunrise yoga, dance, meditation, and adventure activities in nature.
Montenegro – This year, the GWD Montenegro team has dedicated its efforts to promote the wellbeing of expectant mothers and children, with the overarching theme of #DanceMagenta. The team has planned a comprehensive range of activities, including prenatal yoga sessions, wellness seminars, art and music therapy, and dance workshops, all designed to enhance the physical and mental wellness of the participants.
Morocco – The GWD Morocco team has forged a collaboration with the renowned International Festival of Contemporary Dance – “On Marche.” The festival’s 16th edition, held in Marrakech, will pay tribute to GWD by featuring curated dance performances and conducting contemporary dance workshops for individuals of all age groups at the esteemed Es Saadi Marrakech Resort. Many more events are planned for the day throughout Morocco at venues such as Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, Iron Body Fit, Om Yoga, Sofitel Lounge & Spa, Agafay Luxury Camp, and Hyatt Palace Taghazout Bay.
New Zealand – The GWD New Zealand team has set an ambitious target to host no fewer than 25 events across the nation. A diverse range of brands, including schools, fitness centers, health clubs, wellness retreats, resort and day spas, and thermal resorts, along with wellness education trusts, have rallied behind the cause and pledged their support. The venues will offer a range of activities, including free community yoga classes, laughter yoga sessions, open gym days and fitness classes, as well as house-dance competitions, group-dance sessions, and Zumba classes.
Serbia – GWD will witness a grand dance gala event in Belgrade, organized in collaboration with Armydance Dance School. Distinguished dance schools from Belgrade and other cities in Serbia will partake in the festivities and feature an array of Latino, traditional folk, and historical dance styles. Additionally, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Fruške Terme, Vrdnik, will host a large-scale outdoor event to mark the occasion. Continuing the GWD tradition at Mt. Zlatibor, several esteemed wellness brands and associations, such as Hotel Mona, Hotel Tornik, Institute for Obesity, NGO – Zlatibor Walking, and Gold Gondola Zlatibor will organize GWD celebration events.
South Korea – Gyeongpo Beach sponsored by Gangwon-do Provincial Government, Oak Valley Resort and Park Roche Resort & Wellness will host GWD celebrations in South Korea, featuring activities such as Dance Pilates, Balance Chair – Gyrokinesis, Singing Bowl, Tracking in Forrest, and Pilates.
Sweden – Together with Myråsskolan, primary school of Borås and other schools around the town will be encouraged to participate in the GWD celebration for children. In the weeks before June 10, workshops regarding nutrition, physical activities, and the environment will be taking place. A special dance, with simple steps, will also be choreographed for the children to perform. The aim is to teach children in 10 different schools around the city of Borås and perform a flash mob dance.
Switzerland – Several distinguished brands and venues, such as Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Glion Institute, and Hôpital de la Tour, among others, will host GWD celebrations in Switzerland. The celebrations will include a wide range of wellness activities, including singing bowl meditation, a nutritious vitamin breakfast, an organic tea workshop, and dance sessions featuring the vibrant rhythms of Latino, salsa, and Bachata.
Thailand – Chiva-Som will host a series of wellness activities in collaboration with Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar, as well as a special medical aid mission to “No Man’s Land” at the border of Thailand and Myanmar with Aksoy. Sindhorn Kempinski, Capella Bangkok, Pullman G, Four Seasons, The Standard, Santiburi Koh Samui, SAii Koh Samui Choengmon, SAii Laguna Phuket, Saii Phi Phi Island Village, and many more will also celebrate, with activities such as beach cleaning, morning dance session, healthy breakfast, sunrise meditation, healthy cooking demonstrations, fitness workouts, Thai dance lessons, kid’s yoga, and more.
UAE – Fairmont the Palm, Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Zoya Health & Wellbeing Resort, and Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach are among those scheduled to participate in GWD. The celebrations will feature a variety of #DanceMagenta-themed activities, including chakra dance sessions on the beach, yoga and fitness sessions, and more. Several prominent landmarks and malls, including Burj Khalifa, Ethiad Arena, Yas Mall, and Al Ain Tower, are in the talks to be illuminated in GWD’s signature color magenta to show support for this global day dedicated to wellness.
United States – Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore will organize its second annual “Run to Beat Cancer 5k.” All the proceeds will support the Johns Hopkins Medicine Kimmel Cancer Center’s Division of Pediatric Oncology and the Ulman Foundation, a dedicated community of support for young adults impacted by cancer. Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills will once again start with yoga on the helipad with a top Alo Yoga Ambassador, followed by a healthy lunch, and mini wellness activities.
Opal Spas based in Florida, New York, Maine, and New Hampshire will offer complimentary Zumba classes, unique meditation exercises encouraging participants to incorporate dance into their mindfulness practices, as well as binaural and theta wave therapy as part of a recovery station with chair massage and Therabody jet boots and Theraguns. Designed and created with wellness at its core, EVEN Hotels by IHG will be bringing GWD celebrations featuring yoga sessions, fitness, and outdoor games as well as healthy cooking demonstrations to its portfolio of hotels based in Colorado, New York, Washington, Minnesota, Maryland, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Oregon, and Michigan.
Look for the hashtag #globalwellnessday and #DanceMagenta to follow what happens around the globe on June 10.
For more information on this year’s theme, check out Global Wellness Day Invites the World to Dance as Part of Its 2023 Celebration.
